Summer Reading List

Summer is here – finally! In my neck of the woods, it seems like it’s been a long time coming. I think we pretty much skipped spring and went from cold to hot. But I’m not complaining!

I love the long, sunny days of summer. After being in an office all day, I look forward to evening walks with my husband. On weekends we try to spend at least one day visiting area parks, hiking and getting our nature fix. I always take my camera because you never know what you might see. I’ve captured shots of fawns, turtles, frogs, ducks, flowers, fungi, and bugs. And even though I hate snakes, my husband laughs at me because I feel compelled to take pictures of them – if I see them first. Getting outside is a great way to unwind and refuel, physically and mentally.

For those days when there isn’t time to visit a park, we hang out on the back patio. Shaded by big trees and landscaped with assorted flowers and bushes, several bird feeders and two birdbaths, we’ve designed our backyard to be an inviting place for a variety of birds, bunnies, squirrels, and ground squirrels. If we sit quietly, it doesn’t take long for them to go about their business. I can spend hours watching them all. Except when the hawk visits – then all the critters are scarce.

Usually, though, the better part of my patio time is spent reading. With a pitcher of iced tea and a good book, I can spend hours comfortably ensconced out there. The breeze rustling through the trees and the chattering of birds are comforting background noises that help me relax and escape into another world.

This summer, my patio reading list includes books by my favorite authors, as well as some new-to-me authors. Into the Whirlwind by Kat Martin, Susan Mallery’s Blackberry Island and Mischief Bay series, and Jill Gregory’s Cowboy Heroes Western Series are at the top of my list. I also plan to read Seabiscuit: An American Legend and Secretariat. Throw in some ebooks from the wonderful authors we’ve spotlights on The Write Way Café, and after that I’m open to suggestions!

What’s on your summer reading list?