JUNE 2019 | Wrap-Up

Posted on by Holly

 

Happy June! What I consider to be the first month of summer has now come to an end, meaning that there’s an even warmer, sunnier part of the summer right around the corner. Here’s what I was up to this month:

In June I read a total of 9 books:

  1. Watership Down by Richard Adams
  2. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
  3. Becoming by Michelle Obama
  4. Ongoingness/300 Arguments by Sarah Manguso
  5. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
  6. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
  7. Sweet Dreams by Nadette Rae Rodgers
  8. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. E.B. White, and Maira Kalman (illustrator)
  9. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Luckily I read many great books in June, so choosing a favorite is difficult; however, I think I must go with Becoming by Michelle Obama. The sheer number of times I’ve recommended this memoir to people in the past month speaks for itself. I’ve had a surprisingly high number of conversations about it IRL with people who don’t usually talk about books with me, and I keep remembering bits and pieces of Michelle Obama’s narrative when something spontaneously jogs my memory. I can already tell it’s one of those books that will have a lasting impact on me, both for its powerful writing and for the time at which I read it.

I’m honestly surprised I was able to read so many books this month! Although I’m currently on summer break, I work 9-5 and therefore don’t have a lot of time to read besides before going to sleep. I chalk this success up to many hours listening to audiobooks while commuting, a few 6+ hour flights, and some days home sick from work on the couch.

+ TO WATCH: My friend and I watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the flight back from Oxford and it was so lovely. Not only is it just a fantastic movie in general–made even better by the nostalgia factor–but it was really fun to see some of the locations they filmed at in Oxford.

+ TO LISTEN TO: Nearly every time I go to a club in Oxford they play “Reach” by S Club 7, and it’s the most adorable thing ever to see everyone dancing to it and reaching their hands up every time the chorus rolls around again. Such an uplifting song!

+ TO EAT: Every June my mom and I pick strawberries and then make a strawberry and rhubarb pie. Although it may sound strange at first, it’s actually one of my favorite kinds of pies. I think the pie came out especially good this time around!

+ TO GO: As is probably already apparent, I went to Oxford!! For a whole week!! And it was amazing!! So much more on this later!

June has been a bit of a strange month for me–exciting and fun on the whole, but still dealing with some of the tumultuousness that was my May. Lots of time on the patio with my family, lots of sunny days and Scrabble games, and lots of time for thinking.

And let’s not forget the most spectacular part of the month: my trip back to Oxford! I had such a wonderful trip visiting friends and old favorite places in one of the most magical cities. I can’t wait to share my adventures with you all! (That’s right–the Holly Goes Abroad posts are coming back!) If there’s anything specific you’d like to hear about, just let me know!

The Radcliffe Camera, perhaps my favorite building in Oxford.

 

 Here are some posts from other bloggers that I’ve loved this month: 

Here are some notable posts from my blog this past month:

How was your month of June? What was the best book you read? Did you do anything really fun or exciting? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

27 thoughts on “JUNE 2019 | Wrap-Up”

  1. Having in consideration June was my exams month, and I managed to read five books, I’d say that was a success, even though stressful. I’m glad you read so much too! I have never read The Princess Diaries, but the movies are definitely favourites. And your trip sounds amazing! Can’t wait to have more Holly Goes Abroad posts ^^

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  3. I do love playing scrabble! It can get so intense sometimes hahaha I enjoyed reading your post about visiting Oxford!

    Strawberry picking sounds absolutely fun! Last year, my fiance and I had taken a trip to Baguio in the Philippines during which we visited a strawberry farm. Unfortunately, our trip was ill-timed since there had been a storm in the city and the fields got flooded. Hopefully, we will get to go there again.

    You recommended me Michelle Obama’s book as well! It’s still on my wishlist for now. Once I do get it, I’d love to discuss the book with you.

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    1. Oooh a strawberry farm sounds so cool! I would love to go to one ❤ Ahh yes, please let me know when you read Becoming! Would love to talk about it! 🙂

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  5. Why would strawberry rhubarb pie sound strange? That’s such a classic pie combination!

    I read so many amazing books in June. I can’t possibly pick just one favorite.

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  7. My husband LOVES strawberry rhubarb pie. 🙂 Becoming had such great reception, I wonder if I’m missing out cause I’m not as proactive at borrowing it from our library.

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