books and songs: summer ’25

This year has probably been the worst for reading in a really long time. I realized that I truly don’t do well trying to read multiple books at once, especially one larger (700+ pages) and one smaller. But in life, we learn as we live. I still wanted to share what I’ve read and the songs I’m listening to because it’s been an interesting season of paying attention to what resonates.

Books for summer ‘25

A Place on Earth by Wendell Berry

“A tone of weeping has come into her voice. ‘But I don’t believe that when his death is subtracted from his life it leaves nothing…What it leaves is his life. How could I turn away from it now any more than I could when he was a little child, and not love it and be glad of it, just because death is in it?’”

Unfortunately, this might be my least favorite Berry book I’ve read. I think Wendell Berry is a very measured writer, and so it felt for me, in place of plot, he emphasized the mind of each character. I would rather have had a deeper dive into just a few characters, like Ernest, Mat, and Burley, and that would have been more captivating. Burley is missing his nephew from the war. Mat is reckoning with the idea of his son never returning home from the war (his son is MIA). Ernest is awakened to a new life that is so temporary, but it jolts him out of his usual way of being and he can’t stand returning to the old way. Ernest and I might be having very similar experiences, where life is subtly altered and it cannot return to what once was.

The theme of grief lingers for me here. You can’t open your heart and not grieve. While our lives are temporary, the land has existed and will continue to exist. Our way of living marks the earth, and we so often are foolishly imperiling the land with our greed.

Moral of the story: Tender hearts (and tender land) get bruised.

Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes

“It was one of those things—until you knew a person well, you didn’t really use their name. Names had power. Names conveyed meaning.”

This is a fun murder mystery, and my love for these kinds of stories continue on! I love a small town where people know each other and their family histories, but you have an element of trying to figure out who did it. Daisy is very lovable, and the family dynamic makes for an entertaining story. As a tea lover, I did appreciate the tea references and of course, the recipes at the end. Love when the Domestic Diva does this as well.

Moral of the story: Entitlement leads to dangerous places.

Related Post: jayber crow | quote series

Currently Reading

Right now, I’m reading a few books at the same time. I keep starting books and then picking up other ones when I should have the discipline to finish what I’ve started. But that’s easier said than done.

At McNally Jackson Books, I picked up Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. Short stories of different kinds of love. It makes the weird normal and the normal weird. There are so many facets of love, and it’s nice to peer into a character’s head and figure out what they’re thinking and why. Often I wish I could just mindread someone, just for a moment, so I’m not so confused. It’s very similar to Be Here to Love Me at the End of the World by Sasha Fletcher (which is a novel with an NYC focus).

“There are two kinds of people, he thought: the people you don’t want to touch because you’re afraid you’re going to break them, and the people you don’t want to touch because you’re afraid they’ll break you.”

I’m currently rereading Jeff Tacklind’s The Winding Path of Transformation. Every time I read it, I’m hit with how much life has changed, and yet how much growth I have yet to exhibit. I long for glory but the path to humility is painful, especially when I so often refuse to submit.

Related Post: Fighting for faith on a winding path | quote series

Songs for Summer ‘25

When Did I Stop Burning? by Rachel Morley

Should I pray more desperately?

Pretend that You’re my everything?

But I think You want my honesty

So bring me back to the place of my first longing

This song is so convicting. Sometimes in our walk with God, we subtly drift and lose our fire, and it’s a reminder that we can return again. We can get the fire back. But we have to acknowledge where we are.

Here Am I by Torchbearers

I saw the Victorious One seated on the throne

I dropped everything I had

To give Him my all

I feel like a million songs have been coming out based on Isaiah 6. I wish this one was 10 minutes longer, but I’ll accept what Torchbearers give me.

Related Post: 12 thoughts: from sermons to spring vol. 2

My Loss is Never Lost on You by Rachel Morley

Has my need for why become an idol?

Am I forcing you to answer questions

You don’t want to?

This one is about the grief in the disappointment of hearing God wrong. I often block out these memories because they’re confusing and painful, but God feels the grief too. I’m not alone in my wondering and heartache.

Silver Cloud by State Champs

There was no time to waste

While dreaming wide awake

And now the mountain’s moved

There’s more to prove

I’ve been ridiculously obsessed with their self-titled. IT’S SO THEM. Pop punk (more pop than punk) but with Derek’s amazing voice. He has one of the best vocals in this genre! It’s a classic good time.

Jump the Gun by The Story So Far

You don’t know patience

You jump the gun at the sound

And I lay in wait man,

And I think that my time is now

The Story So Far are legendary to me. This feels like the best kind of vibe. Punchy and fun! Hope to see them later this year!

Share with me the books or songs you’re enjoying this year!

Signing off,

Gigi