My Western Sky

Ever since I started this blog in 2011, I've participated in the Goodreads Reading Challenge and shared my favorite books of the year in a post. I haven't done a comprehensive year-end list in a while, but I've stayed faithful in sharing my SRLs--Summer Reading Lists, which consistently get over 5000 page views; it still blows my mind and humbles me that so many of you value my recommendations--I don't take it lightly.  I'm also inspired by President Obama's Year-End-List,  so here I am making a rare appearance in the blogosphere. Besides, it's a cozy Sunday, and I'm fueled on three cups of ambition (aka coffee) and over nine hours of sleep. I CAN CONQUER THE WORLD TODAY--or at least write a blog post.  I made a lofty goal to read 100 books this year. I haven't made that kind of goal since 2014, when I was coming off my years as an elementary librarian and consuming a steady diet of picture books. In 2018,  I wanted to commit myself to less Fa

First of all, I can't believe that it's time to compile the 2018 Summer Reading List! (I think time speeds up as I get older...) Second of all, I do not take this task lightly. This is my EIGHTH year of posting my SRL, and its reach gets wider every summer, which is very humbling.  I have met strangers who say, "Oh, I love your summer reading list!" For many of you, summer is the one season when you can read and relax, and as a high school librarian, I take this job of curating a list that will reach so many very seriously. And I LOVE doing it! Every year I try to find an image that encapsulates the essence of summer reading. The cliche book/beach stock photo usually calls to me, but this picture speaks to the soul of summer reading. It was taken in the Summer of 2012 in Summertown, Georgia (how appropriate), when my oldest daughter, Landry, first started reading the HARRY POTTER series (remember that magical feeling?). Summer allows us time to truly savor books b