summer reads

One of the things I love about summer is all the reading I get to do. In winter, I love to curl up by the fire, cocooned in a blanket, and while away the dark evenings knitting, sewing and reading while sipping soothing, warm fruit/wine cocktails.

In summer, there’s no end to the choice of places to read; on a sandy beach after playing ball or crabbing with the boys, or in the garden at dusk with a chilled glass of white wine in my hand. Now and then, I sit on the front door-step reading whilst my youngest boy will play in the front garden. There’s nothing like it. Usually, I buy books in bulk and stock up with the ones I’ve had my eye on for ages. Love it.

As I was gathering my list of books I’ve read this summer and some I have yet to read, I thought I would share them with you.

• the creative family – How to Encourage Imagination and Nuture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule of the Soulemama blog. Lovely blog, written by a lovely person. I highly recommend the book if you have children, would love to establish rituals, traditions and encourage natural play. I often dip in and out of this book. Each time I reread Amanda’s book I feel as though it’s the first time I’ve read it!

• the home guide to CRAFT by Katherine Sorrell. I haven’t read this yet as I only bought it today, but it looks delicious if you’re the crafty type, and wish to have a go at lots of different creative projects you can use in the home

• If You Could See Me Now by CECELIA AHERN. I loved this summer read so much, that I read it lounging on the garden cushions whilst the boys swam in the pool – in one afternoon! If you’re always losing things around the house, then this book is for you! The full synopsis is on the Amazon website. Cecelia Ahern is my favourite novelist at the moment. I have read another three of her books.

• Wife in the North by JUDITH O’REILLY. Judith is a journalist by profession and her blog was spotted by someone in the know. She was offered a book deal. I believe she’s in the process of writing a second book. Judith aka Wifey, is sharp-witted, loaded with acidity for good measure. She’s a transplanted Londoner (though not by birth), tryin to cut it in the North.

• Anybody Out There? by MARIAN KEYES. I don’t know the blurb on this book as it was given to me. It came highly recommended.

• IF I WAS by MIDGE URE. I love this man! I liked him when he sang with Ultravox and we went to see him play and at a small, local venue last year. I took myself right back to the 80’s! Midge has taken the name of his book from a top selling single he had in the 90’s. I can’t wait to dive into this book!

• The Writer’s Journey -FROM INSPIRATION TO PUBLICATION by Julia McCutchen. Another one I haven’t read yet but so many people have recommended it, I just couldn’t resist. Julia is a lovely person and a great teacher.

• CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS CHANGE YOUR LIFE by Dr Wayne W. Dyer. I love Wayne Dyer’s books and audio CD’s. I am an avid listener of his on Hayhouse Radio. I’m looking forward to diving into this one.

• wannabe a writer? by jane wenham-jones. I’m half-way through reading this book. I like the down-to-earth and a no-nonsense approach on the craft of writing. Starting with; thinking about it, procrastinating, drinking tons of coffee and alcohol and facing the fact, a book just doesn’t write itself.

• Hip Tranquil Chick – A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat by Kimberley Wilson. This book does exactly what the blurb suggests. It truly is a guide to being a Hip Tranquil Chick. It’s a girly book through and through. Kimberley has a great podcast that I’m a huge fan of.

• natural superwoman - the survial guide for women who have too much to do. I haven’t read this one yet but I think the title says it all…!

My addiction to reading doesn’t stop there either as there are five library books to get through, and of course, I’ve read many more books through the past couple of months, which I haven’t listed here.

Of course, the summer reading list has to include magazines too!

And then came blogging…!