June reading included 15 books earning 4 and 5 ⭐️ reviews.
We are halfway through 2026 and I’m only 23 books away from my goal of reviewing 150 books. I’ll probably reach that at the end of July but I’ll just keep going.
I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.
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I just finished LISTEN TO THE GIRLS, so apropos in today’s political environment, and (let’s face it) for our entire history. Iver and Ellsworth is a longtime favorite. Loved THE FIRST STATE OF BEING. Kelly is an all-time great. And I just got a signed copy of POP GOES THE NURSERY RHYME at ALA.
And just hit “post” before I was done. I’m hoping to get more reading done throughout the summer. Probably focusing on the books I got at ALA, along with some new ones I’m receiving from publishers. Also back to writing! It’s suffered over the past few months.
I hope you enjoy your reading time! If you haven’t read Kin yet, the audiobook is amazing. I didn’t want it to end. My admiration for Tayari Jones – her word choice, her writing style! I just wanted to live in the sentences she created. Such a talent and the audiobook made it all the better for me.
LISTEN TO THE GIRLS is next level and I’m planning to write a post about it!I have a perfect pairing idea and I just need to write it but the other book hasn’t been released yet plus June/July is slow for blog readers, I think it might make more sense to wait. Meanwhile I came up with another book to pair it with! So many good ones that need to get shoutouts!
Laura Roettiger Books 
You were busy!
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Yes, I had more of my own reading time in June than I realized. Some really good books.
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I just finished LISTEN TO THE GIRLS, so apropos in today’s political environment, and (let’s face it) for our entire history. Iver and Ellsworth is a longtime favorite. Loved THE FIRST STATE OF BEING. Kelly is an all-time great. And I just got a signed copy of POP GOES THE NURSERY RHYME at ALA.
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And just hit “post” before I was done. I’m hoping to get more reading done throughout the summer. Probably focusing on the books I got at ALA, along with some new ones I’m receiving from publishers. Also back to writing! It’s suffered over the past few months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy your reading time! If you haven’t read Kin yet, the audiobook is amazing. I didn’t want it to end. My admiration for Tayari Jones – her word choice, her writing style! I just wanted to live in the sentences she created. Such a talent and the audiobook made it all the better for me.
LikeLike
LISTEN TO THE GIRLS is next level and I’m planning to write a post about it!I have a perfect pairing idea and I just need to write it but the other book hasn’t been released yet plus June/July is slow for blog readers, I think it might make more sense to wait. Meanwhile I came up with another book to pair it with! So many good ones that need to get shoutouts!
LikeLike