{"id":6402,"date":"2026-08-27T04:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T11:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=6402"},"modified":"2026-08-21T14:44:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:44:38","slug":"my-august-reading-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/08\/27\/my-august-reading-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"My August Reading Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

what I enjoyed reading & some travel photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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One of my favorite parts of keeping a very relaxed personal curriculum is looking back before rushing into what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always think these recap posts will be about the books, but they usually end up being about my experiences and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month was a exceptional because we spent 3 weeks traveling the Mid-West states. We drove through a total of 15 states but spent significant time in 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was absolutely enthralled by being in completely different climates. The wildlife, greenery, many varieties of birds, and trees were so amazing to this Arizona desert native. Also, humidity is no joke! I was surprised at how intense the afternoon heat felt with high humidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc8ca quick note:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am wildly thankful that so many of you take the time to read my posts! It would be so helpful if you can subscribe, like, comment, or share when you read my posts. Every small interaction matters.<\/strong> This tells Substack that even though my publication is totally free, that you like and appreciate it. \ud83d\udc99Thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscribe now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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long drive essentials: earbuds with my audiobook, snacks, and a large Sprite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s jump into my August Recap!!<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udcdaSome Reading Favorites:<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
[note: this post is NOT sponsored, I'm just sharing what I enjoyed this month]<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Memoir:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfa7<\/strong>Bomb Shelter<\/em><\/strong> by Mary Laura Philpott<\/a> \u2014 This is was such a fun collection of stories from Philpott\u2019s life told in a way that I didn\u2019t want to stop listening. She would start a new essay and I would think \u201cWhat on earth? This is completely out of context!\u201d, and then she would weave threads through from previous stories and themes that I didn\u2019t even see coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have had so many big feelings this last month. Motherhood is such a strange grueling workout filled with constant learning and difficult growth. This book sat with me in those moments, full of compassion, and helped me see depth and gratitude that I couldn\u2019t on my own. And it made me laugh. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Please share this post with a friend!\ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Story and Tragedy of the Titanic:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We had so much fun learning and experiencing the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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With the museum on our trip itinerary, my teens came up with the idea that we should bring suits and dresses to show up in 1st class style when we went. We got some strange looks but my teens called it \u201caura farming\u201d so apparently it was worth it. \ud83d\ude1c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcd614 April 1912: Titanic<\/em><\/strong> by David Ross \u2014 I found this book at the used book store and brought it to read after our visit to the museum. It was full of facts and photos that added to what we had learned that day and in our history curriculum the year before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And after dinner that evening we watched the movie Titanic<\/strong> (1997)\ud83c\udfa5 written and directed by James Cameron (obviously skipping the few scenes with nudity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also found the historical fiction novel: \ud83d\udcd6The Titanic Sisters<\/em><\/strong> by Patricia Falvey<\/a> which I plan to read soon. You all know how much I loved themed reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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from the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This Moment Matters<\/em><\/strong><\/a>by Ruth Chou Simons \u2014<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Eeeek!!! \ud83e\udd29\ud83e\udd38\u200d\u2642\ufe0f I got to do a live interview with Ruth Chou Simons!! We had a great conversation and it was such a joy to talk with her about her book. She even gave a spoiler about the project she is working on next!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Make sure you catch our conversation \u2199\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cultivating Delight: Interview with Ruth Chou Simons<\/a><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Watch now<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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My 1950\u2019s & 60\u2019s Unites States History Themed Reading<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
As I\u2019ve mentioned in last month\u2019s recap<\/a> I\u2019m on a learning tangent filling in gaps of what I know about the 1950\u2019s and 60\u2019s. In the past, I spent a lot of time learning about the Civil Rights Movement but missed some key people. I also haven\u2019t learned enough about life during the Cold War Era and early feminism to satisfy me yet so my list continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n