Read-at-Home Mom Report: July 2025

July Favorites

This was a month of mostly four-star reads, but there were a few five-star standouts. 

Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald

This is one of the best books I've read this year. It reminded me of Anne Tyler, who is my favorite. 

The Triplets' Summer Adventure by Laurel Blount

This is a Harlequin romance, but it is one of the best-written clean romances I've read. I was surprised to be very impressed.

Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner

I loved this series, and this was a fitting conclusion. 

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Langa 

The dialogue in this one is excellent. I have the novella (Holiday Tides) that belongs to this series (Wilks Beach) on my Kindle and plan to read it soon. 

Family Reading Lists

M. (girl, 11 years, 8 months)

• The Disaster Days by Rebecca Behrens 
• Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
• Strider by Beverly Cleary
• Henry Reed's Journey by Keith Robertson 
• Little Men by Louisa May Alcott 

C. (girl, 9 years, 10 months)

• Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
• The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum 
• Maida's Little House by Inez Haynes Gillmore 

E. (girl, 7 years, 9 months)

• The Orphelines and the Enchanted Castle by Natalie Savage Carlson
• Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques

R. (boy, 5 years, 4 months)

• The Bathwater Gang by Jerry Spinelli 
• The Ghost of Windy Hill by Clyde Robert Bulla 
• Shoeshine Girl by Clyde Robert Bulla
• The Street of the Flower Boxes by Peggy Mann
• Margaret and Taylor by Kevin Henkes 
• The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla 
• My Friend the Monster by Clyde Robert Bulla 
• Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
• Henry and Beezus by Beverly Cleary
• Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary
• Mitch and Amy by Beverly Cleary
• The Tree House Mystery by Carol Beach York
• Key to the Treasure by Peggy Parish
• Hermit Dan by Peggy Parish
• Lester and Mother by Myra McGee
• C is for Cupcake by Carolyn Wood 
• Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift by Kallie George 
• Heartwood Hotel: Better Together by Kallie George 
• Heartwood Hotel: Home Again by Kallie George 

A. (girl, 5 years, 4 months)

• The Whales Go By by Fred Phleger 
• Small Pig by Arnold Lobel
• Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel 

My husband

• Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner
• The Story of Science in America by L. Sprague de Camp