On My Mind – June Wrap-up – 7/3/2018

I’ve never done a monthly wrap-up before but – following other blogs – they seem to be pretty ubiquitous so I thought I’d give it a try.

On balance, June was a pretty good month.  It started with a wonderful BDay celebration – my wife has an amazing way of making the day special even at my age.  So far – 57 feels a whole lot like 56 and 56 was pretty good – leaving me hopeful for the year ahead.

The kids continue to amaze – my step-daughter studying abroad in Italy – my son traveling through and working in Korea for the summer – Sue and I living vicariously via text and Instagram – remembering younger days – and incredibly proud of them both.

This was an interesting month at work – very political, very challenging  – most battles fought to a draw – leaving me once again accepting the truth in that old pilot’s saying:  “every landing you can walk away from is a good one”. 🙂

June was a good month for the gardens – things have come in very nicely this year.  Here’s a view of the front:

…And here’s one small slice of the back:

Just a small slice – we spend way too much time playing in the dirt.  Still – very few days where I don’t take a quick stroll through the gardens before I jump into the car and head to work – always helps me start the day in the right place.

The Turquoise Table was in full swing and everyone in the neighborhood seems to have survived the winter.

http://booksofbrian.com/on-my-mind-turquoise-table-6-10-2018/

It’s one of the many things that makes this neighborhood a very fun place to live.

I opened up a new Category on the Site – Scribbles – and published my first post.

http://booksofbrian.com/scribbles-safe-house-7-3-2018/

I wanted to create the opportunity to write more creatively – untie myself just a little from the book reviews – and see where it takes me.  I’ve been truly amazed at just how much I’ve enjoyed the chance to write since I built this site last November and I think I’m ready to stretch myself a bit.

Ended the month with a few days in SC – visiting my father and step-mother along with my brother and his family.  It was a wonderful, relaxing, restorative trip that left Sue and I wondering why we’re not down there on a much more regular basis – an oversight we plan to correct during the 2nd half of the year.

Finally – last but not least – it was a great month for books – finished and reviewed the following:

• The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang:  weak and not  recommended

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-the-poppy-war-6-2-2018/

• Miss Subways by David Duchovney:  surprising, amazingly satisfying read

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-miss-subways-6-9-2018/

• The Traitor God by Cameron Johnston:  a very worthy read for a debut

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-the-traitor-god-6-16-2018/

• Blackwing by Ed McDonald:  my favorite book for the month – slam dunk debut

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-blackwing-ravens-mark-6-17-2018/

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-blackwing-ravenmark-epilogue-6-18-18/

• The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson:  great short read that I highly recommend

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-the-emperors-soul-6-23-2018/

• Brief Cases by Jim Butcher:  must read for Dresden fans waiting for Peace Offering

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-brief-cases-6-24-2018/

• The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French:  another very worthy read

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-the-grey-bastards-6-27-2018/

• Awakened by James S. Murray:  horror that worked for me

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-awakened-6-29-2018/

• Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee:  Please read this series – all 3 books are amazing

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-revenant-gun-6-30-2018/

• Elantris by Brandon Sanderson:  good debut that hinted at what Sanderson could do

http://booksofbrian.com/on-the-nightstand-elantris-7-3-2018/

(Could someone please teach me how to properly insert a link)

Overall, a very satisfying month – four grimdark entries with only one falling flat – a wonderful surprise with “Miss Subways” and an amazing conclusion to a landmark series with “Revenant Gun”.

Hate to see you go June – but I think the time was well-spent.

I’ll finish with one suggestion:  before the family and friends arrive, before the first beer, before the grill gets lit, before you head off to watch fireworks – take that thin volume titled The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States off your shelf (something everyone should have in their library) and spend just 10 minutes reading through either The Declaration or The Bill Of Rights.  It would be a worthy addition to a special day.

Have a Great 4th of July.