In the summer I’m always excited to compile some books to read just in the summer.  Summer evokes the idea of vacations and relaxing and what better way is there to relax than with a book? Aside from knitting.  If I can’t relax with my knitting these days, I’ll be darn sure to be relaxing with a book.  Books are my second favorite obsession hobby.  Summer is about halfway over, but there is still plenty of time for you to add to your list. I have four great summer reading books to recommend to you today!  And then I’ll tell you about a favorite thing….

The Books: (Click on book pictures to go to Amazon)

#1) Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrick Backman :  A great book about a quirky woman who ends up in a small town and has to figure out life, as well as how to get along with the town.  Funny and also poignant.  I laughed, I cried.  (This author also wrote A Man Called Ove, which is on my nightstand.)

#2) Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple:  This is the author of Where’d You Go Bernadette (which I also really liked).  This one is also funny and poignant ( I guess I like that in a book).  A look at a woman’s life and marriage as she goes about her day trying to find out why her husband isn’t at work.

#3) The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand:  I love her books lately.  Light reading with small town drama and romance-y things.  Her books take place on Nantucket and this one is about one woman who grew up there and can’t leave.  She is known for her matchmaking skills and that’s where the small town drama and the romance-y things come from.  Definitely a good beach read.

#4) The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: I’m currently in the middle of this but can already recommend it.  Soooooo good. It is a mystery/thriller about a travel journalist who gets an assignment to review a luxury cruise.  Things are great until she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard…and the cruise continues on as she tries to tell someone what has happened.  Again, I’m only partway through, but it’s pulling me along and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

My New Favorite Thing:

I actually have a new favorite thing that goes into an old favorite thing!

The new favorite thing is Starbucks’ Dulce de Leche Frappuccino.  So. Good.  The perfect beverage for a warm summer afternoon while you are working on your blog. And to go along with last post’s on-the-go beverage container recommendation, I’m telling you about my old favorite in-the-house beverage container.  My Tupperware 16oz Impressions Dripless Tumblers & Straw Seals .  They are perfect for an icy drink that needs a straw.   I have had them for years and they really hold up.  I even got a new set last year because I loved the colors. If they tip over they don’t leak!  Not even through the straw hole!  Tupperware commercial over. (I really do love Tupperware.)

In completely different news, I’m getting ready to make my first zucchini bread of the season!  Stay tuned…