Second Quarter Reading Wrap-up! (2026)

I’m still unsure how it’s time for this post, as I felt like it’s only been a month since I posted the last one, but alas. Here we are! It’s mid-July and time for another quarterly wrap-up post.

I said last time that April tends to start a busy time of year for us? Yeah, well, this year is no exception. April was a mad dash all the way through, with events and schedules picking up speed and momentum until suddenly coming to a dramatic pause around the end of May. Then we spent the first half of June sick, in part because our bodies desperately needed rest, and partly because… everyone was catching something around that time, and it was all but inevitable we’d eventually get it.

God has been so good and even blessed us through the forced rest with His presence and peace. June was fairly calm, at least for us. Much better than last year, but also difficult at the same time. Things are happening in our lives and those around us, but also globally, and I think we’re all becoming increasingly aware that something big is coming. Keep praying, stay in God’s Word, cling to Jesus, and walk in His Spirit with forgiveness and love in all that you do. Keep your eyes on Him, and He will see you through.

April

Hmm, well I can’t think of a darker topic to start this quarter on, but again with the world we live in, maybe that’s fitting. This book was DARK, so very deeply disturbing, and the worst part is that it’s true. This is a memoir of the author’s demented childhood and up-bringing, and I’m sure the things he shares in here aren’t even the half of what he’s gone through. It’s an important read, and I honestly pray that this man finds Jesus. He could be such a source of light for others trapped in these twisted situations, and I don’t doubt that God brought him through it all for a reason.

With such a dark read, I needed something quick and light-hearted to go with it. I choose this one. I was hesitant after struggling with some of the ‘religious’ content in her other books, but still needed to read this eARC I had, so… I decided that was the time. Apparently, it was! While I could definitely have done without the ‘mythological god/viking’ type comments of appraisal the FMC kept throwing Santos’ way, I did get a good laugh at other parts, and loved their relationship and growth here! And Luiso who literally carried the whole book and never failed to bring a smile!

This was another heavy read, and what a chonk! It’s a wartime WWII story from a French perspective, which it part of why I loved it so much. I didn’t care for the harsh language and the blatant SA scene that while…likely was tame compared to what could have happened was much too deranged and vulgar for me to ever truly recommend this book.

The read of the story was an interesting mix of a man caught between a life of glitz and glam, and the brutal war that has ripped his country apart. The historical detail, personal dilemma, and contemplation or morality and what it means to truly serve a greater cause made this a remarkable read, if not for the obviously unsavory content and crude jests thrown about at times.

May

Again, after that massive tome, I needed something quick and light, so I reached for this one. I enjoyed the characters overall, although Michelle did get on my nerves a few times. I didn’t love the ending… Actually, I ended up frustrated with the mystery and lack of answers in this one, but I did decide to keep reading the series to see if things improved along the way.

This was a quick read. Slightly motivational, slightly how-to/self-help. It talks about the author’s own experience and perspective and shares how those things have helped her to learn and grow along the way.

This was an interesting one. I don’t read devotionals, I just don’t too often they prove to be motivational books, and not actually biblically solid, even when they are very good at appearing to be… A whole other topic there…

But this one came up in an offer for review, and I decided to give it was try. I ended up finishing it (always a plus!) but also enjoyed some of the insight and unique perspective the author brings. I didn’t care for the pop-culture references, but did like hearing his thoughts, not as someone trying to prove something or impress others, but as a man, father, and husband who loves Jesus and enjoys finding interesting tidbits and patterns in the Bible.

See, I did get back to this series. I still need to read the other books, but I was glad I found this one to be more agreeable. I really enjoyed this one, after being unsure upon finishing the first book I’m more confident in my decision to continue this series now. It still took a little getting used to, as I’m not accustomed to Anita and Amanda’s writing styles. I’m finding that the more I read about the twins, the more I enjoy that the series is co-authored as well. It’s something I don’t see often, but it works well here!

Yes! I loved beta reading this one and am so excited to have also been on her launch team. I don’t have words to express how much I love Greyson’s family, and he and Paisley are precious!

June

I had been wanting to read this one for… almost two years. And just, never had time as I always had deadlines. When Tasha offered me a code for the audiobook, I jumped on it! I had been wanting to get back into listening to audiobooks for a while anyway, plus this gave me the nudge I needed to finally read these. I read my ebook copy alongside, so for this one I counted both versions as ‘read’ on Goodreads.

(I also listened to the first book in this series afterward, which will be on my July post.) I ended up loving the narrators for this one, and while I might be the minority, I thought the first audiobook was pretty good too! (You should check it out and let me know what you think. Am I wrong? You can buy a copy on Audible, or listen to the first free on Tasha’s Youtube account. Some library apps also have it!)

And… another intense read. Thankfully, this one wasn’t ‘dark’, just in-depth technical talk about fintech and business ventures. I learned a few useful things from this one, but it also solidified that I never want to work in ventures. I just… don’t see the appeal, at all! Lol. I felt as if I had personally earned an MBA after reading this one, which I suppose is good, but also a lot. Definitely read almost like a textbook with the level of detail and business language used. I’m glad I read it, as it did prove a good book with helpful concepts, but also one that stretched my brain and left me with a migraine by the end, haha. Oops!

This one was okay, and he does have some helpful advice, but maybe it’s because I don’t think like a business engineer, but it took me a little getting used to his style here. The story was good, but not great. Still, I did appreciate hearing his perspective and learned a few things along the way.

This was another beta read that I went back and read a finished copy of once the story was released. I loved this story, and am so excited it’s finally available! It’s super short, around ten pages, but such a touching tale of hope and changed perspectives.

I beta read this one last August/September and loved Lee and Gracie! It surprised me when reading In Every Chapter in January how similar the stories’ themes were in some ways. I love how God does that!

I’ve noticed it more in the last couple of years, but often certain lessons or themes arise in my books around the time He’s teaching me those same topics and themes in His Word and in other areas of my life, and I loved the themes of healing, connection, growth, faith, and friendship that these both shared.

Looking Forward:

Last quarter, I spoke of my excitement for the release of both Out of Deep Tides by A. Jones and In Every Season by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht. Both are books available now, and I’m thrilled to say that I managed to read them both this quarter! I also finished the alpha read mentioned with Taylor S Newport. (I loved it!! I’m so excited to see what the finished version is like!)

I also mentioned hoping to be on Cossette’s Throne of the Heavens launch team. I heard back from them, and I’m on the team! I also have the eARC from NetGalley, so I’m hoping to read that soon! I would also love to catch up on Jessica Ashley’s Iron Tide Brotherhood series and read Some Melodious Sonnet by Jennifer Q. Hunt. If I could read one other book this quarter, I really want to finally read Patrick’s story in Heather Wood’s Sowing Hope.

This quarter has brought its share of changes, and this year is definitely going to be a historic one. The books that came out in this last quarter have been amazing, and I’m so excited to have had the chance to share some of them with you lately. If we’re here for the next one, I’ll hopefully have more exciting stories to share. Either way, I know God has a plan for our good, and I can’t wait to see it as it continues to unfold. Maranatha!