Happy summer booklovers! It is June and we are well into summer reading this year. Usually, the Summer Reading program runs from June 1-August 1, but this year it's only from June 1-July 20th. Again, this year my job is doing a reading challenge where the different work groups are trying to out-read each other. I listen to lots of audiobook, but last year's winner averaged 4-hours a day. I get distracted too easily, so I am not going for the top prize this year. Otherwise, I'm having fun.

Before I get into today's blog, I should probably warn people. It's a long one. I'll explain later in this blog, but if you want to skim the middle and skip down to the end, I totally understand.

READ

Paw and Order Vol. 1: The Grilled Cheese Caper by Jason Platt - Here is a simple mystery graphic novel perfect for young readers. This spoof introduces readers to all the elements of mystery. Purrlock and Marlowe look for clues and question suspects to solve the mystery of who stole all the sandwiches from the Grilled Cheese Fair. With colorful and dynamic artwork, it is sure to turn even the most reluctant young readers into mystery fans. ★★★★★ CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild language IG Post
Enchanted to Meet You by Cara Stout - Imogen doesn't want to get stuck at a job she hates. When her best friend discovers the amusement park Fairytale Gardens is involved with fraudulent charities, Imogen agrees to work undercover as a theme park princess to help expose the park. Tristan's felt no love for his family's theme park since his mother's death. Since his dad can't spare him from prince duty, so he can spend the summer abroad, he's not excited to play a prince. This sweet romance a summer fun, grumpy X sunshine story with a dash of mystery. Toward the middle, it was rough as Imogen was torn between her friend's mission and her growing attraction for Tristian. Overall, it was a fun book to start the summer, especially if you ever thought being a Disney park princess might be fun. ★★★★☆ Listened to on Libby CONTENT WARNINGS: Language, kissing and embraces, LQBTQ+ characters.
Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn - When letter titles fall from the pangram inscription on their Nevin Nollop statute, the island council decides Nollop is attempting to give them guidance from beyond. Starting with "Z," letters are banned and dire punishments are implemented for anyone who writes or speaks a word containing those letters. A clever satire with humor and heart as islanders try to maintain normalcy and create a new pangram, while being under tyrannical theocratic rule. Wild and masterfully written in only correspondence, this is an outstanding political commentary. ★★★★★ Read on Libby CONTENT WARNINGS: Theocratic cult-like society, strong language, letters contact descriptions of violence and death, mentions kissing and adult relations.
Summer of Sloane by Erin L. Schneider - When Sloane's best friend gets pregnant, she learns that her boyfriend cheated on her. Angry she breaks her now-ex boyfriend's nose and her hand right before she leaves to spend the summer with her mom and stepdad in Hawaii. There she spends time with her summer friends and meets Finn, the wild son of a hotel mogul. Swimming, surfing, and soaking in the sun, Sloane opens herself up to new possibilities, learning that life goes on and things aren't always what they seem. This book is intense, Sloane feels everything intensely and overwhelmingly. Beautifully written, readers feel it too. For me, the long list of content warnings is the only reason it isn't five-stars. ★★★★☆ CONTENT WARNINGS: Strong language, mentions teen s*x and pregnancy, only kissing and embraces are described, underage drinking, panic attacks, and LGBTQ+ characters. IG Post
Famous Anonymous by Morgan Baden - When the Rowen Roadies's parents go-out and leave Harper, Sophie, Gus and Luke home alone for the first time without a babysitter, they dress as characters from their favorite videogame and film a funny video. Then Harper's posts it to the social media account, she's not supposed to have, they accidentally become internet famous. However, keeping their famous internet personas secret and staying trending on social media challenges each of these neighbors and their friendship. This book is hilarious and sweet. The messages on friendship and creativity are well woven into the plot. This story is ideal for advanced chapter book readers. ★★★★★ CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild language, child influencers on social media, and LGBTQ+ adult characters, but no romance amongst the kids

Currently Reading

Climbing Rejection Mountain: An Actor's Path to Success, Stability, and Self-Esteem by Nick Wyman, Michael X. Martin
Love Unmasked by Becky Dean
Snow White with the Red Hair, Vol. 13 by Akiduki Sorata
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver IG Post
Only a Monster Vanessa Len
Batman: Resurrection by John Jackson Miller
The Goodbye Man by Jeffery Deaver

Checked Out, To Be Read

13 Days of Summer by Stephanie Kate Strohm
Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean
Just My Luck by Jennifer Honeybourn
Bad Influence by Claire Ahn
If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson IG Post
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse
Take a Chance on Me by Elizabeth Eulberg
Tell Me Every Lie by Ellen Hagan
Supergirl's Family Vacation by Brandon T. Snider
Enchanted to Meet You by Cara Stout
Not Here to Stay Friends
Best Summer Ever by Jesscia Cunsolo
Take It from the Top by Claire Swinarski
The Summer of Second Chances by K. L. Walther
10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte
The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer
Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon
The Wildest Dreams Bookshops by Gracie Page

In The Reservation Queue

Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley
Royal Summer by Kass Morgan
The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu
Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights by Celeste Dador
We've Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi
Nothing Bad Happens Here by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller
Rewind to Us by Molly Morris
Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

On Hold, To Be Picked Up

Love, Cantor, Action by Katie Gilbert
The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander

Returned Unread

You Were Never Here by Kathleen Peacock - Since this book started with the letter Y, I used it for a monthly spell earlier this year. I've been in a physical book rut, trying to finish Sunrise on the Reaping, but I thought I might enjoy reading this one. Now that that's done. I've found the past few books easier to read.
Up in Flames by Hailey Alcaraz - I also used this for a monthly book stack. I kept it for a bit and then returned it when it was due.
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D Li- This was a book I stumbled on at the used bookstore and was saved from buying it when I used my library app to check if they owned it. Instead, I borrowed it and didn't have time to read it.
Make Time for Creativity: Finding space for your most meaningful work by Brandon Stosuy - I saw this book in a newsletter while I was trying to rediscover my passion for art. I did a few exercises, and it got me doing a little creating.
Psychology for Screenwriters: Building conflict into your script by William Indick - This sounded like an interesting writing book, but I didn't have time to read it before it had to be returned.
Batman Resurrection by John Jackson Miller - I had to return it, so I promptly put it on hold so I could recheck it out.
Rosewood Midsummer Meet Cute by Sayantani DasGupta - All month on Instagram, I have been sharing summer books, because summer reading is one of my favorite times of the year, but as an adult, it doesn't have the same excitement as did as a kid. So, this is something I do to get myself excited for it. All other books checked out and then returned without being read, that were used for it will be labeled 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Batman Soul of the Dragon (Blu-Ray) - Months ago, when I was watching Grimm, I was curious about other acting roles David Czarra Giuntoli played and I saw that he had voiced Batman in a couple of animated movies. This one was rated R, so I had to find the right time to watch it. I finally watched it. It is The Dark Knight reimagined as a 1970s kung-fu movie. It's cheesy, wild, and far out. No one's written a movie that wild since we discovered the dangers of LSD. Beside the adult language and a bit of graphic violence, I don't think it really needed an R rating.
Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. Read my review here.
Just My Luck by Jennifer Honeybourn - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
13 Days of Summer by Stephanie Kate Strohm - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Bad Influence by Claire Ahn - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. Read my review here.
Emotional Confidence: 3 Simple Steps to Manage Emotions with Science and Scripture by Alicia Michelle - I had been working on improving my stress and fear. This sounded a like beneficial book since it addresses both the natural and supernatural aspects emotions, but I have too many other books I'm reading right now.
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Best Summer Ever by Jessica Cunsolo - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Take It from the Top by Claire Swinarski - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading.
Now She's Dead by Roselyn Clarke - 50 First Days of Skai's Summer Reading. IG Post

This month, I finished reading three physical books. Honestly, it's been taking me so long to finish physical books the past couple of years, that I am proud of that accomplishment. With the other two, one was an audiobook and the other an eBook. Because I am sharing daily books on Instagram, I have been checking out and returning items like crazy. It feels a bit like balancing a checkbook. The books returned have to equal the books checked out. I am finding these daily posts more difficult to do, as I take on more life responsibilities. I wasn't sure I would be able to it, but so far, I've only missed one day. On the following day I posted two, to make up for it. At the end of the summer reading program period, I will have shared 50 summer books. Sharing reviews and bookmail on IG will be a priority again, when this post series finishes.

I barely have remembered to share my May Reading Wrap-Up over on Instagram this month. I'm working on editing a video for my intended June Hopeful titles, when that's finished, I have also filmed a July's TBR video. I'm working on some ideas to maybe get caught up on my book reviewing, especially since I've been reading more ARCs lately. If you have any suggestions, please leave then in the comments.

Is the Fanfiction still coming? I will say yes, but I don't know when it will be ready. Also, I'm thinking about putting together an email newsletter, because I suspect I will be making some changes to what I am writing over the next year, and I think a digest newsletter would be a good way keep readers appraised across various different platforms.

YouTube actually recommended this piece of (song)writing to me the other day. I wrote this song nine years ago; you can check out younger me singing and playing the guitar. I'm blushing just mentioning it. Here is my disclaimer, I only really play the guitar as a hobby and am largely self-taught. I am not a professional guitarist. Here is "White Knight" on YouTube.

#LoveYourLibrary

Thank you, Rebecca for coming up with this blog challenge that encourages me to read and write every month. Check out her blog, Bookish Beck.

I love making Bookish Friends! Follow me on Instagram Skai_BooksAndBracelets.

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Inspirational Skai

Monday, June 29, 2026