Summer Reading, and a Summer Hiatus

I'm very excited, because I have a shelf full of books to read, and it's summer.

The whole notion of "summer reading" implies a breezy, seemingly endless corridor of time that stretches away under echoey arches, but since Mr. Milkweed is teaching what amounts to a full load and is actually around slightly less than during the school year, that's wishful thinking. Still, it's summer. I'm painting my toenails, and drinking ice cold white wine, and neglecting the laundry even more than usual in order to fit these in:

Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner --Have already started this one, and I can tell it's going to be important

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout--Currently reading this one, too, and loving it. It reminds me of Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio, which is one of my top five favorite books of all time

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton --Ok, I'm also reading this one, but I have been reading it for months-- voraciously at times, and not at all at others. This is the time to finish it, though, I can feel it.

Things Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith by Nora Gallagher A lovely lady from EfM gave me this one to read, with the caveat that I pass it on when I finished it. I'm looking forward not only to reading it but deciding who to give it to when I'm done.

Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer It's been recommended, so...onward!

Like many people I know, I could wallpaper the house with my complete list of anticipated reading, but I think the above is enough to keep me until Labor Day.

I'm also planning a bit of a break from this blog. It's been a big year for me, and I was a bit shocked to realize recently that it's just the beginning of July and I've already surpassed my post count for the entirety of 2011. There's a lot going on at Casa de Milkweed and a lot that needs my prayer, love, and attention, so I'm going to step away for a couple of weeks (a few weeks? longer?) and focus.

Much love to you as you tread your summer paths. I hope some of them are sandy and some are mossy and full of roots and some are lit only by a flashlight. Here's hoping you find your way back here, eventually, too, as I will.