BOOKS FOR ADULTS & MORE!

I start each day with a cup of tea, a sweet dog
on my lap, and a good book to read.
​Here are a few books I have recently read:

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla. Sally is a San Diego author who has won numerous awards for her middle-grade books, most of which highlight characters who are considered to be neurodiverse. In The Someday Birds, Sally's debut middle-grade novel, a young boy named Charlie and his siblings make an unexpected road trip across the country to be with their father, a veteran, who is having surgery for a life-threatening injury sustained in combat. Charlie and his father once made a list of all the birds they wanted to see, so Charlie decides to do this during the road trip. His hope is that by spotting most, if not all, of the birds, it might bring his father good luck. 
Check out Sally's books, bio, and supplemental materials found on her ​website.

Bird by Bird, by the beloved Anne Lamott, is one of the quintessential books on writing. Anne writes with a self-deprecating humor about her own, often painful life stories. I've heard her in person, and she is down-to-earth, engaging, and always her own unique self. This book is great for writers, but one doesn't need to be one to enjoy the stories.

Matthew Paul Turner was a well-known writer of Christian books for children before his marriage to Jessica N.Turner, a popular influencer, broke apart. Jessica's recently released book, I Thought it Would Be Better than This candidly shares the heartfelt account of having her life upended, yet finding a way in which she ant Matthew could co-parent their children within their loving family, as well as to love and support each other as they found ways to move on with their own lives. The book shares ways in which we can all find promise, hope, and peace as we face overwhelming challenges that life brings our way.

Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind by Barbara Becker is a short book full of wisdom and hope. It speaks to me at this time in my own life when the finite reality of life on earth has really hit home. Each story conveys honest ways in which we can embrace the truth that life is finite without being immobilized by fear and sadness.

I received a gift copy of the book, At the Kitchen Sink by Dina Deleasa Gonsar also known as the DishIt Girl. I was not familiar with Dina, who has had her cooking tips showcased on shows such as Good Morning, America, E!, The Hallmark Channel, and the Food Network. She is a popular speaker and and podcaster as well. At the Kitchen Sink is a cookbook, but one sprinkled with family stories, devotions, and short prayers. Her recipes are simple but delicious, and showcased by tantalizing photographs. Very unique and delightful!

Check out this interview with me in the July 8th edition 
​of The San Diego Voyager magazine.
​It was an honor to be chosen for this article!

Camden's Corner:

I enjoyed my first trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house
​and got to meet their church family!

Sophie Says:

I was a very good girl when Camden came to visit!
I was gentle around him but I confess that I did try to sneak
​some of his toys when he was having tummy time. 

NEXT MONTH...

I will share some upcoming children's books
by fellow authors ​and friends.
​Stay tuned!