Summer Reads

Reading is one of my favourite summer activities. I think that about 90% of the reading I do happens in the summer. Summer and reading just go together. We have made bi-weekly library trips lately and I have been loving it!

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I have already read a few goodies this summer, and thought I'd write some recommendations. Click on the title to see it on Amazon. 

1. Forever Lily by Beth Nonte Russell.

I found this book at my Mum's and her hubby's cottage and picked it up out of boredom. Then, I read it in a DAY! I couldn't put it down. It is a personal memoir about adoption from China. It was an easy read, but also one that gets you thinking. Warning: It may make you want to adopt a child.

2. The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis.

Oprah said to read this book, so I read it. I even got it from the express 7-day loan section at the library, where there is a $5/day penalty for overdue books. It wasn't as quick of a read as some of the others, but was a great book about a woman (Hattie) from the perspective of her children. It is better than I just made it sound. Luckily I finished it in the 7 days.

3. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

A book about a lighthouse keeper and his wife who decide to keep a baby girl who washes up onto their shore, and the consequences. Very suspenseful. I definitely recommend this one! Another one I could not put down.

4. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

I am still in the process of reading this one, but I have maybe NEVER laughed out loud so many times while reading a book. Seriously, Joe gets a kick out of me reading it because every so often I burst out laughing. It is a story, as the title suggests, about a 100-Year-Old Man who escapes his old folks' home, and the hilarity that ensues. Great writing, and I definitely recommend it.

Next on my reading list: 

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.

The same author as The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns... two memorable books that I loved! Unfortunately, there are about 80 holds on it at the library. So I need to wait my turn.

And if you're looking for some other good reads from my past (many that you have probably already read...but they are must reads!), I have loved:

The Birth House by Ami McKay

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series by Stieg Larsson (If you haven't read this, do!)

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (Again, if you haven't read this, it is worth the hype)

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (The book is always SO much better than the movie!)

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill 

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

What have you been reading?! I would love some more recommendations to keep me going. 

Summertime, and the living is easy!

Moving day is looming. Just over two weeks until closing day!

But... it has been hard to get much of anything done! The weather has been scorching hot, and the pool claimed our past week :) It was the first time I truly enjoyed our pool. And of course, it is right before I will say goodbye to it!

Henry wasn't so sure about the pool at first, but quickly learned to love it! It has been a lot of fun, and we have had lots of friends and family over to enjoy. 

Not so sure...

Ok, this is FUN!

We have also had more-than-the-usual time on our hands, so you may wonder what else has kept us busy!

Well, we have been making lots of yummy food. We even tried our hand at our own sushi. It was a lot of work, but sooo worth it!

Sweet potato, avocado, cucumber and sesame seeds. Yum!

And of course we have started packing. Henry has learned to love the Jolly Jumper, which has helped us to get some work done!

I also got my hair cut short. Henry was getting too good at grabbing it.
This is the only picture that shows it. And also my nephew, Braden, is the best 2-year old swimmer. Ever.

Last but not least, I have been doing a LOT of reading. I think I shall write a completely different post about some of my summer reads and recommendations. 

That is life lately, in a nutshell. 

Henry at 5 months

Whoa... where did the last month go?! Nevermind the last five months! As usual, it is hard to believe that our little guy is a whole month older.

This has been a really fun month, and Henry is really starting to develop his personality. We have been enjoying our time with him, and are excited that Joe has 2 months off for summer holidays!

Making one of my funny faces

This month was an exciting one; two of Henry's uncles, Bob and Mike, moved back to Ontario after a long time being away. Henry also started sampling some foods (just tasting so far, not really eating), enjoying the summer weather, rolling over both ways, grabbing things more deliberately, making funny faces and laughing a lot more!

Cucumber feels good on my gums!

It has been fun watching him change. I am excited to see what the next month brings!

Spending time outside

Playing with my cousin, Spencer. Check out my Kramer hair!

Stay tuned for more photos from my first visit to the cottage!