Wrapping June
What I've been reading, watching, and writing
My June has been very full as I wrapped up the many tedious details involved with retirement as well as leaned fully into family and friend time and so much reading and writing plus some watching too. My reading and writing in particular brought me so much pleasure I hope that I can pass along some delightful inspiration to you!
Image by Paul Resiga from Pixabay
June Reads
I completed a whopping 28 books in June. Some of that was about completing some slow reads and also being truly free of the work grind. I guess we’ll see how I continue to read both over the summer and into the fall. I suspect it may be an aberration or simply the confluence of reading more and watching less which will vary from month to month. I highlighted seven books on my June 2026 Book Showdown and I must admit it was a banger of month which made picking my favorite a real challenge:
My Slow Read Book Club wrapped up The Stand and even though this was a re-read for me there was something about the slow read that really made this read special. While a few missteps were much more glaring on a slow read (I will never forgive him for trying to shift the time because it created so much awkwardness) it also allowed room for contemplation and conversation about all the important explorations King makes in this text. Bonus recommendation: Slow Reads in general. Learn why.
Three different books encountered during my Reading the USA journey made my top books list: Local Wonders by Ted Kooser was a delight and exactly the kind of book I wanted to read when I embarked on this journey as we learn about the history, the people, and the beauty of Nebraska. The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg was the opposite of the kind of book I expected to read for this challenge but it is nice to have fun and cozy reads too and this book delivered. I would note that this is the third book in a series. As they are all set in the same Missouri town I’m not sure why we started there. I am currently reading the first book in the series because it offers a nice respite from more intense reads. Last, but not least, The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber offers us a history lesson about the South Dakota Badlands and so much more. It was a great read. I will definitely read more by this author.
I’m not sure how Wool by Hugh Howey ended up on my list but I’m glad it did. It was a powerful read and I will definitely read more by him and watch the Apple TV series (Silo) eventually. I have always been interested in dystopian fiction and this is very well done. So much to think about it and it did pair well with The Stand. I also read this book slowly (although it was a library book so not very slow) because it was intense with a lot to think about.
My library finally delivered Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell into my hands in June (I saw the movie in December!) and I was truly torn about picking this book as my June favorite because it was so beautiful and moving and I wept several times even though none of the story was a surprise. This does pair well with the movie and I’m not sad that I saw the movie first because I could visualize so many scenes more clearly while reading. The movie captures the story beautifully but the book adds more nuance and detail that made both important.
Ultimately, my favorite book for June was Platform Decay by Martha Wells because I was so giddily happy to be back in this world with these characters - especially my beloved SecUnit - that I read far too fast instead of savoring the reunion like I should. I love this author, this series, and the show based on the series and I cannot stop talking, thinking, and writing about it. (Exhibit A: What I learned from Murderbot).
June Watches
I thought I watched less in June but looking at my June Screen Showdown makes me think it was pretty typical.
I enjoyed two series. Seeking Persephone was not amazing television but very enjoyable and comforting as a long-time romance reader. I very much enjoyed The Boroughs and found it fun and satisfying with just the right amount of horror. So many wonderful characters!
I can recommend three of the movies I watched for my Pantsuit Politics Book and Film Club 2026 Movie Challenge (the fourth was not bad, just not my cup of tea). For my over 60 recommendation I watched The Sheep Detectives which was a very and relaxing watch and for my under 15 recommendation I watched Zootopia which definitely lived up to the recommendation. I endorse both recommendations! I also highly recommend Breaker Morant and have thought about it often since watching. It is a lovely film with amazing acting, but the message is powerful and lasting (reminded me of Paths of Glory). I also watched The Worst Person in the World which made me want to visit Oslo but didn’t love it. I think I just found it unsatisfying as there are no specific complaints.
Ultimately my favorite movie for June came on my Road to Doomsday watch: While I do love the Guardians trilogy (not so much the second) I landed with Avengers: Age of Ultron. I am sure that my love of this movie is partly about coming to it late so I had a different perspective of many of the characters, but there is something about this movie that always pulls me. Perhaps it is Wanda’s arc? Maybe it is Tony’s hubris with all its real life parallels?
June Writing
I was able to write with the Sawstone Poets, Lexington Poetry Gauntlet, and Rebel Cartographers in June as well as a couple of Carnegie Center classes, but the true highlight of June writing in community is Lexington Poetry Month. I am very happy that this year (for the first time) I posted every day. Check out all my poems, my daily posts highlighting the poems that caught my eye each day, or three batches of writing invitations: Ekphrastic Exaltations, Ekphrastic Exaltations Redux, and Ekphrastic Exaltations Coda. I love writing in community and this month was rich with opportunity and inspiration. I’m happy to share the love both here and on my web site!
I am a lifelong reader with eclectic tastes and a longtime writer and writing teacher so I hope that my reading recommendations and writing invitations in particular are of use for those without the time/energy I have to experiment and research! Please subscribe so you won’t miss my Reading the USA update! Do let me know what brings you to Deanna’s Third Act/Space by leaving a comment!