If you remember from this previous post, I had started a challenge to read ten books (between June 1 and September 1) from my to-read list. This post is a follow up. I am happy to say that I indeed completed the challenge, even though I had only two days left to finish my last book.

Rather than write up a (likely boring) review of each book, I’ve chosen to share a quote from each that resounded with me.

“Those were signs, too. Remember them, I tell myself. Remember them while you wait.”

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn, read June 8-11

“I don’t have time for invisible books when there are so many real books to read.”

“A woman came into our library, set a stack of movies on the counter, and loudly announced:

Woman: I have watched all your good movies. Do you have any good books here?”

I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan, read June 12-14

“Courage and endurance are useless if they are never tested.”

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald, read June 14-16

“Sometimes the strength of his emotions toward her was so tangible, he thought she must be feeling it, too.”

This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansel, read June 18-21

“There’s been a lot of changes in my life, but it has always been love that has carried me through.” –Patricia Louise Foreman-Bates

All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps by Dave Isay, read June 22-27

“And maybe some people think lines [wrinkles] are ugly, but I see love and life in every one of them.”

“You can’t go back in time and do life a different way.”

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella, read July 5-8

“Troubles always have piled up; we can only trust that they aren’t any worse than the troubles of other years.” –Zelda Fitzgerald

Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda: The Love Letters of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, read July 18-26

“Life was frequently so impenetrable and complicated, and yet surprisingly everything always made sense in the end.”

“Some things just couldn’t be repeated, but it was good that they had happened.”

Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Nicolas Barreau, read July 28-31

“Our problem wasn’t us together, it was us in the world–a world that demanded we reconcile its reality with our romance.”

The Dinner List by Rebecca Searle, read August 5-15

“No, if I was someone else I’d be afraid I might not like who I was.” –So Much Water Close to Home

“You don’t know, and I don’t know. That’s how much we know together. A total of nothing.” –Whoever Was Using This Bed

Where I’m Calling From: New and Selected Stories by Raymond Carver, read Aug 19-30

And so there you have it. Next summer, I might increase my book list to 15 books. How about you? How did you do?

As always, thanks for stopping by. ❤