Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Summer Reading

I have noticed quite a few of my blogger friends (Penny, Busy Bee Suz just to name a few) are looking for some good summer reads. So am I! I love curling up in the log cabin with a good book, vanilla scented candle lit, my cat Marvin in my lap and some light jazz playing in the background. Also in this scenario Greg would be pouring me a glass of wine and feeding me dark chocolates - but he already told me I'm pushing it with the dog thing - ha!

What are your recommendations for some good summer reading?




One of my favorite books is "Reflections of a Life Up North" by Deborah Wyatt Fellows. This book features stunning photography of Nothern Michigan and a collection of articles, columns and letters that Deborah wrote about the joys of the seasons, a magical childhood, lakes, fishing,card games and all those things that make north country a great place to live and vacation at.



Some of my other summer choices:
  • "Fowl Weather" or "Enslaved by Ducks" by Bob Tarte. Both true and funny stories - perfect for animal lovers.
  • Interested in life in Alaska? Then try "If you lived here, I'd know your name" by Heather Lende. True story of a writer in Alaska - funny and sad.
  • Staying in my Alaska theme - a great story about a self-sufficient man named Dick Proenneke - "One Man's Wilderness." I have read this book about 10 times. The documentary is great too!
  • Feeling in the nature, reflective, deep thoughts mode? How about the classic "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau.

P.S. I was thinking about organizing a book swap between a group of us bloggers. Let me know if you're interested and if we get enough people, I will set it up!

25 comments:

aujourd'hui: O'Clara said...

hello,
I am your blog for some time - Summer Reading? newspapers, magazines, photos and anything else - it's too beautiful and I spend my time hiking in and taking pictures ... and I want both to have a chat ...

Cedar ... said...

Anything by Dorthea Benton Frank,... currlenly "Bulls Island." Great reads.

Constance said...

I LOVE "One Man's Wilderness"! i just finished a biography on Theodore Roosevelt JR, an interesting man in his own right!

I am starting David McCullough's "Johnstown Flood". I am still in St Charles helping out with our new grandson and haven't had too much time for reading!
Connie

Pam B said...

Shelley, I'm trying to find the time these days to pick up a book again...and I LOVE to read. Fiction is more my thing, usually.

Since I'm in a "no more things to move" mode, guess I'll be going to the library soon and borrowing some books that I can return.

Debbie said...

I have been reading a lot more lately in the evenings. I unfortunately am one of those fiction readers mostly. *lol*

Debbie

Barbara said...

Shelly, Summer is a bad time for me to read, there is so much to do outside just keeping the yard at home and at the lake house, the goats and just enjoying nature.

I do read mostly fiction, but Roy hands me a history book every now and then to read.

Anxious to hear more about your dog.

Barbara

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those sound like some great books! I know alot of the bloggers here are saying they don't have time to read in the summer. I read everynight for about a half hour before falling asleep. And if there is a rainy summer day and I can't be outside, I love to curl up in a chair with a good "picture" book.

NCmountainwoman said...

I enjoyed "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer. Another one is "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. And if you haven't read it, "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Zafon is a wonderful read. If you have read it, his new book is just out this week. And you can't go wrong with any of the Barbara Kingsolver books.

Anonymous said...

I also love curling up with a good book on summer mornings and evenings. You mentioned some interesting books. I just returned from up north and it is so beautiful there! We were visiting with one of our son's. The wine,candles, chocolates, and of course Marvin sounds wonderful.

Just a little something from Judy said...

I do enjoy the picture you created for me, of you doing your summer reading. I'm sure Greg will come around, once the puppy thing wears off. I do love to read, although my summer schedule is busier than my winter schedule. I am going to check out some of your recommendations, especially the one with the photography in it. Better yet, how about you creating a book with your experiences and your gorgeous, real life photography...what do you think??

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Shelley,

The books sound great! I would really love the Alaska books. I'll have to check them out!

Yeah, you better wait until AFTER you have the dog home safe and sound to mention the dark chocolate scenario to your hubby!

Have a great day!
Tammy

Karen said...

Well . .. after reading your list, you would DIE if you read mine. Give me a good old fashioned novel, pure fiction, funny and romantic, not serious and definitely not "hard". I tried reading a couple of Oprah's on her list and thought I would die before I finished them.
I just want to relax! I think I'd rather be outside gardening (NO SNAKES PLEASE!) or traveling, or in my craftroom just cooking things up. But I read for at least an hour each and every night. I love it! Right now I'm hooked on an author named Susan Wiggs. She is wonderful! My cup of tea!
I know you are chomping at the bit to get your new little daughter home! Keep the pictures coming!
Have a great day!!!!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I would love a book swap!!!
I have a long list of reading to do and NO time to do it!!

Unknown said...

I'm a seasonal kind of gal, I do most of my reading in the winter.

Dawn said...

thanks for the recommendations :) let me know about the books swap- sounds like it would be fun!!

Rural Rambler said...

Oh Shelley, I see Carrot finally! What a fine looking bun!! I have been waiting for a new entry at Birding in Michigan and then I got a clue and came here. Duh.

I belong to a book club that meets the second Tuesday of every month and we have had lots of good reads. I will have to check for a couple. I actually love a book called "That Quail Robert". Very sweet for animal lovers!

Dawn Fine said...

Oh good books! I must bone up on Alaska..for 2011..
I will get a few of these!
I have been reading your visit with bloggers...
I love that this happens ..it warms my heart!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I am not much of a reader (since I'm on the comuter 24/7) --but all of the Adriana Trigiani books are great... Check them out on Amazon...

Don't count me in on the swap since I already have books here that I haven't read yet...
Hugs,
Betsy

Leedra said...

I know just the dark chocolates too. They come from Hanover's Michigan Mint. The only problem is they are so good a person has to eat them all. Yep, I am out of Michigan chocolates.

Anonymous said...

anything anything... trot don't walk to find sue grafton;s kinsey millhone mystery series... awesome reads.. Titles for each letter of the alphabet
A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar.. on on

happy trails
gp off to hug her horses

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Hi,

I think a book swap would be great!!!!!!!! My mom and I go to GW alot, so I get books there.

Love, Joy =D

Jane In The Jungle said...

Oh yeah I'm in for a swap!!
I love fiction...wacky and funny, mysteries.... these days I'm reading Charlaine Harris and Jane Evanovich with a little Catherine Coulter thrown in for fun!

Sondra said...

Wonderful subject...I read One Man's Wilderness and saw the Video...awesome person he was!
I wrote a book based on my childhood adventures..it is still available to anyone who wants one, I titled my book Before Life Got Complicated! If you check my blog there is a link to the book.
I found a wonderful online bookstore, at www.betterworldbooks.com they dont charge shipping within the USA. I purchased the Entire Tony Hillerman Collection in Hardback, for less than $50, I am thrilled with that.

The Retired One said...

A book swap might be fun..great idea!
Love your little reading corner.

Knatolee said...

Oh, I loved "Enslaved by Ducks"! :)

Right now I am reading "Too Close to the Falls" by Catherine Gildiner. She grew up on the US side of Niagara Falls, and the book is an amusing memoir of her childhood. I also just finished "Plan bee: everything you ever wanted to know about the hardest-working creatures on the planet" by Susan Brackney, which is full of interesting info about honeybees, and very funny to boot. Even people who are not as honeybee-obsessed as I am would enjoy this book.