Mini Book Reviews: June 2026

Disclaimer: I received copies of The Children, Heather, and Villa Coco from NetGalley and the publishers. This post contains affiliate links.

I started this month with high expectations for my reading. I had some really good NetGalley reads lined up and hoped to catch up on some backlist reads. But The Calamity Club found its way into my library holds, and excited, I dug in. I probably should have DNF'd it, but I was determined to see it to the end. It took me a long time to read, and heading into July, it leaves me falling behind on my prereleases again. So many books, so little time!

Hands down, my favorite book this month was Whistler. Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors--her prose is beautiful and tells a compelling story like so few authors. Reading it reminded me of how much I love to read!

In My Head

I dialed my miles back this week in anticipation of tomorrow's 20 mile Mammoth March Wisconsin. I'm also nursing a few niggles and did not want to make things worse. Off the road, the family situation continues to weigh on me, and I believe that the stress is taking a physical toll. I didn't realize it until someone pointed it out to me, but my confidence has also dropped (see my strength fails below). 

I'm looking forward to a full day in the woods, off the grid. Hopefully, this will help me reset. I'll share all the details on my IG and in next week's blog post.

Still She Persevered

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I had DOMS all week. From Sunday's run to Monday's strength training class and forward into the week, I struggled with soreness, tight muscles, and limited mobility. It's not as if I was doing anything more extreme than usual. But the DOMS, once they hit, wouldn't let go. I'm pretty sure our wacky weather added a whole extra element to the pain. Yet I persevered...

It's Summer!

It sure felt like summer this week, with the heat, humidity, and storms! Still, I was able to get all my runs in. This time of year sure humbles me when I lace up my running shoes. All the strong running of the spring--POOF!-- is gone. I keep telling myself that these summer miles bring strong runs in the fall. Stay tuned for that!

Weekly Rundown:

Sunday: Trail Sisters run 4 miles

Monday: Yoga with Adriene, strength training

Tuesday: Yoga with Adriene

Wednesday: trail run 7.2 miles

Thursday: strength training

Friday: run 4 miles

Saturday: rest day

Celebrating Global Running Day on the Trails

On Wednesday, runners all over the world celebrated Global Running Day. Global Running Day was started as a movement in the US in 2009--do you remember National Running Day? It eventually evolved into a worldwide celebration of running and has grown in size and popularity over time. 

As a longtime runner--I've been running for well over 30 years-- Global Running Day always reminds me to reflect on how important running is to me. I started running in my late 20s to help me manage my debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Growing up as an anxious child in the 1970s, I didn't learn any coping skills. By the time I was in my 20s, I was struggling. Someone suggested that I try running as a good way to 'get rid of negative energy'. I didn't even know how to start. We were living in Chicago at the time, and I joined a beginner's running group with the Chicago Area Runners Association. We trained for a 5k--the Zoo run at the Lincoln Park Zoo--and I was hooked. 

Looking back on my life as a runner, I can say without a doubt that running has been a gift to me. Running has carried me through every season of my adult life--through infertility to pregnancy to parenthood (especially the teenage years) to grad school and now into my current era--gram to be, retiree to be, and caregiver for my elderly parents. Running saved me from myself. Running gave me confidence and strength--both physical and mental. Running has brought some of the best people into my life. I don't know where I'd be without running, and I can't imagine a life without it! I'm grateful that my body still lets me move like this, and I continue to be grateful for the gift of running.

Mini Book Reviews: May 2026

Disclaimer: I received copies of Good Joy, Bad Joy, Mad Mable, The Burning Side, and It's Hard to Be an Animal from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest reviews. This post contains affiliate links.

This may have been one of my favorite months of reading. I only had four NetGalley books this month, which left me time for 'reader's choice'. Sure, I could have gone back and read some of the NetGalley books I didn't get to in April and May. Or...I could read some backlist books from my Kindle. Which is exactly what I did. 

No regrets. My favorite books of the month? Out of the 7 books I read this month, I rated 5 of them 5 stars on Goodreads. But if you asked me, I would tell you that I love irreverent characters and stories, and It's Hard to be an Animal and The True True Story of Raja the Gullible both made me laugh out loud. But no matter which book you pick from the ones I'm sharing here, you can't go wrong.

A Strong Week

I started the week feeling strong, and since we were at the lake over the weekend, I was excited to run on my local Ice Age Trail segments. With my 20 mile hike coming up in a few weeks, I had been feeling less than confident in my ability to complete the distance. However, the two back-to-back strong runs on Sunday and Monday gave me a much needed boost and set me up for a really great week of fitness.