Summer Reading Recap

Fall is approaching fast, so it's time to recap some summer reads! Here are a few of my favorite books I read this summer, and my thoughts on each. Many of my summer reads this year were re-reads -- I guess I was in the mood to revisit old favorites all summer long. Now I can't wait to cozy up with hot chocolate and some fall reading.

Me Before You (Jojo Moyes) I re-read this novel early in the summer because I was dying to see the movie and wanted to have the book fresh in my mind. I remember enjoying this book when I read it shortly after its release, but definitely enjoyed it more after a second read.

I listened to the audio this time, which was really well done. But I still haven't seen the movie! If you've seen it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Rainy Day Sisters (Kate Hewitt) This novel has a light, fun, chick lit feel to it, even though it does hit on some bigger issues. When Lucy's life in NYC hits crisis level, she accepts an invite from the half-sister she barely knows to come stay with her in a remote seaside village in England.

I loved this quick, fun read, and I totally fell for the sweet love stories in this novel (even though I am often a little reluctant to fall hard for romances). The town and its inhabitants are quirky and lovable, and it's easy to get sucked into this one and wish you could pop in for a visit.

The Thirteenth Tale (Diane Setterfield) I'm still sad that I missed our book club discussing this book last fall, but I wanted to read it on my own anyway (many months late!). I listened to the audio and absolutely loved it!

The mystery was engaging, the story was so hard to step away from, and it had the perfect amount of spooky creepiness. I always love dual timeline stories, especially when the modern day characters are researching mysteries in the past, so this was right up my alley. It was a re-read for me, and I loved it just as much or more the second time around! See our book club review post for this book HERE.

The Glass Castle (Jeannette Walls) This has been on my to-read list for many years! I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it, because I absolutely loved this memoir of Walls's unconventional childhood and the struggles she overcame as she grew.

I actually read Half Broke Horses a few years ago and loved it as well, so check that out if you've already read The Glass Castle and want more.

Hyperbole and a Half (Allie Brosh) I love Brosh's self-deprecating sense of humor, and the hilarious comics that accompany each story. This book is a quick and funny read that does hit some serious points: readers who have dealt with depression (whether their own or in a loved one) will recognize a lot of truth in the chapter chronicling the author's depression, and might even learn how to relate better and offer support to someone struggling with depression.

Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling) In preparation for our big book club Harry Potter extravaganza, I've been re-reading the Harry Potter series this year. This summer, I listened to the audiobooks for books 4, 5, and 6, and I'm starting book 7 today! No matter how many times I reread Harry Potter, I always fall in love with them all over again.

How to Break Through a Summer Reading Slump

I'm probably not alone in being a cold weather reader. As soon as the weather gets chilly, I camp out in my favorite chair with a stack of books and don't get up until spring. It can be harder to find time to read during the summer months -- the warm weather beckons, kids are home from school so you have less down time to spend with a book, and summer travels might be keeping you busy. Here are a few simple ideas to get you reading, even during these warm summer months.

Pick up a book based in your vacay spot. If you'll be traveling during the summer, search for a novel set in your vacation spot! It'll get you extra excited to jet off on your summer trip, and maybe even give you ideas of sights to see or activities to check out while you're there.

Or vacation vicariously! Not traveling this summer? Decide on your dream vacation location, and read a novel that takes place there. Almost as good as visiting in person, right?

Don't forget about your yearly reading challenge! If you chose to participate in a 2016 reading challenge, you might be losing speed on it now that the new year excitement has worn off. Revisit your challenge list and tackle a few categories this summer! If you  need suggestions of 2016 reading challenges to participate in, visit THIS post. It's never too late to join in. I'm taking part in the Worthington Ave. challenge and the Modern Mrs. Darcy challenge!

Participate in a local library's reading challenge. If you were anything like me as a kid, you practically lived for your library's summer reading program. Check your local library to see if they are hosting a summer reading program, and join in!

Read along with your kid's summer reading list. Many school kids are sent home for the summer with a list of required reading. Why not join them and read along? You'll get to revisit books you may have missed reading when you were a kid, and have great bookish discussions with your favorite young reader.

Embrace audiobooks! I resisted audiobooks for a long time, because listening to books just didn't feel like 'real' reading to me. But as the busy-ness of motherhood has taken over my life, I've learned that audiobooks are an awesome way to incorporate the books you want to read into your daily routine, even when you're busy doing other things. I listen to audiobooks while I exercise, cook, fold laundry, or watch my kids play outside or at the playground. If you're spending a lot of time outdoors this summer (at the pool, at the park, taking the dog for walks, or working on your yard), you can also spend that time listening to books.

Join (or start) a book club. Nothing is a bigger motivator to finish your current read than knowing you'll be meeting up with friends to discuss it at book club. Find a local club you can join, or start your own! Check out this post on how to keep your book club going strong.

Your Kids Are Ready For Summer . . . But Are YOU?

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks!

School's out for summer!

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Congrats to all our kids for making it through yet another year of school. It's finally time to leave all the studying behind!

16 Books to Kick OFF your Summer Reading

16 Books to Read this Summer

We've compiled this great list of books for your summer reading needs so you can easily grab one of our suggested books before heading out on your vacation!

What's Your Library Have to Offer?

In the Salt Lake Library mission statement it says, "The mission .... is to make a positive difference in the lives of our customers by responsively providing materials, information and services..." 

When was the last time you stopped by the circulation desk to find out what other resources your library has for you besides shelves and shelves of books to look through? This past visit, I took a few minutes to check out some of the resources. Utah's first lady, Jeanette Herbert, has a summer reading program for children. She included several great resources for parents. The first is a color coded calendar of age appropriate activities to do with kids that will help encourage reading. Here is an example of what August looks like.

She also has a recommended book list for K-6 broken out by each grade. There are printable bookmarks with the goal of reading 20 minutes a day. When it is all filled in, you will have read 1200 minutes.

Libraries offer free book clubs, story times, craft days, read-a-thons, art classes, puppet shows, and many other fun activities to help you and your child read together.

Here are some of Utah's local library pages so you can see what events may be happening near you:

Salt Lake Library

Logan Library

Sandy Library

American Fork Library

Orem Library

Provo Library

Springville Library

Spanish Fork Library

Uintah County Library (Vernal)

Washington Country Library (St. George)

Grand County Library (Moab)

What kind of resources does your library have? 

Cheers, Elizabeth

Raising a Reader: Beat the Bookless Summer!

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Summer is an easy time to get OUT of good reading habits! 

Don't fall victim to a bookless summer! Here are my top ten ways to get your kids reading this summer. 

ENJOY!

· 1. Have a read-a-thon! Gather blankets, pillows, snacks, and all your favorite books. Take some time to veg out and read with your littles or encourage your olders to read on their own. When they see you putting in the effort for a fun read-a-thon, they will get into it! You could even create or build a special reading nook to help motivate your little readers! Check out this amazing outdoor reading nook by Vintage Revivals, I would LOVE something like this!



· 2. Good ol’ fashioned competition! Have your kids keep track of how many books they are reading this summer. You could keep a tracking sheet on your fridge or in their room. Have them put up a tally for each book completed. You could have little prizes for each milestone (ten books read, 1000 pages, etc) or you could reward the child who has read the most! You can download an adorable SUMMER READING LOG book for yourself or your kids over at Simple as That! 


· 3. Go to the library regularly! Set aside a time each week when you can go and get some library time in. New books breathe new life into reading!

· 4. Get your audio on! Check out my last post here with tips on introducing your little to audiobooks.

· 5. Schedule switch up! Our summertime bedtimes are not as routine as our school-year schedules. I mean, last night we put the kids to bed at 11.... Getting in a bedtime story may be more difficult- so switch it up! Opt for a morning read over breakfast or read more before naps. Just get it in SOMEWHERE!!

· 6. Match your reading to your summer activities!  Read a book on bugs- and then go on a bug hunt! Find a book on camping, and then do just that! Find a book about sharks then head to the aquarium! Relating books to real life is the best way to get talking about literature.



· 7. Traveling story time! If your littles are little, they would LOVE this. Get a group of friends or neighbors to host a rotating story time at their house. You could even find books that could coordinate with a craft or activity. For example, you could make fuzzy caterpillars after reading Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar… and you could even serve up some pickles, cupcakes, and leaves! You can find 30+ kids book related activities HERE to help get you started.


· 8. Tween book club! If you have tweens at home, encourage them to gather a group of friends for a book club of their own! It could be done through a monthly meeting, over the phone, or even on Facebook group. They have probably seen you in a book club or two- why not give them a chance to chat about what they are reading!

· 9. Reading apps! A simple app search will yield tons of great apps for your kids to investigate on their tablets. Here are some that Scholastic.com found for you.

· 10. Be the example! Our kids know what is important to us- and it becomes important to them. Be an active part of encouraging them to read, write, and think by reading, writing, and thinking yourself! Talk about what you are reading. Be positive! They will see it and follow. I promise.

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Happy reading to you and your littles! Oh... and don't forget to tell me what works for YOU this summer!

XoXo, Ashley