M. Suzanne Terry

This month’s reading plan includes a few that I didn’t finish from last month that I’m meandering my way through, but the new reads list is shorter this time. It’s starting to feel like summer again here, and my summer reading usually veers off the intended path. I want to keep up with book club selections and my joy project while still keeping some space for whatever delights intrigue me.

Two such delights are already on my radar:

• How To Eat by Nigella Lawson – The one that started it all. I love how Nigella Lawson writes about food. I can’t believe I’ve never read her first book before.
• Hanged by a Thread by ACF Bookens – The third in this series by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. I’ve already pre-ordered my ebook for mid-month.

I have five book club selections for the month. My group that meets the first Tuesday of the month is reading something I’ve already read for another book club, and I liked it but I am unlikely to read it again in the next few days. I think I remember enough of The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek to discuss it over wine. The others include:

• The Engineer’s Wife by Tracy Emerson Wood – About the woman who helped design and build the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer – This one has been on my list from the moment I heard about it. I’m excited to discuss it with my nature-loving folx in Follow the Reader.
• Strangers by Rebecca Tamás – Supplemental read for Follow the Reader. We read some of the author’s poetry around the fire last night, so I’m looking forward to the essays.
• Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon – Fantastic Strangelings selection for this month. I’d never heard of it, but it sounds so good.
• Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge – Another selection I hadn’t heard of before the list for Audacious Book Club. Looking forward to it!

The main joy project selection this month is Joyful Militancy by Nick Montgomery and Carla Bergman (with an intro by Hari Alluri, whose poetry I really like). Resistance often seems so heavy, so I’m interested in the ideas of these experienced activists who urge readers to find joy, friendship, curiosity and other wonders in the work. And, because art and activism often go hand in hand, I’m continuing to work through Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit and The Collaborative Habit.

What are you reading this month?