Fun Summer Read: Wedding Day Murder

One of the perks of summer is getting to indulge in some lighthearted fun reading. I will be sitting by the pool much of the summer - hanging out with my boys, so a good book is a must for me.

Wanna see the latest book I am set to read next?  It's said to be a fun mystery with just a bit of romance. I am a  sucker for those 'Who Dun-It' books - so this one sounds exactly like my cup of tea when it comes to reading.

Yep. Cannot wait to get started either! School is over after this week for the boys - so I plan to have this book in hand, along with a giant bottle of sunscreen by the weekend. Did I mention that I will be proudly showing off my recently shaved legs - minus any signs of razor burn - at the pool?? 

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club

I recently received a copy of The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club to read and review. I chose this book (had a few to select from) because the synopsis of it reminded me of the support women can give each other, and the inner strength women have but sometimes need to find again.

Plus, it just sounded so fun....definitely a "woman's" kind of story. Not too serious, melodramatic or emotionally draining, kwim? It sounded like an enjoyable light read that I would want to curl up with to read with a cup of tea by my side.

I have to say, now that I have finished reading it, that I absolutely chose right! My expectations were met, and then some. The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club was so much fun to read... I reached for the book every free moment I could. It is the type of story that has characters that develop and grow and draw you into their lives along the way. The kind of story you wish wouldn't end because you want to stay involved....see what happens next.

The main character of the story is Jo- a mom of two "lively" little boys (see-- my first connection with the character already!) who chose to leave her career and become a stay at home mom full time. Life changes literally overnight for Jo when first her husband announces he is leaving her for another woman, and then the husband suddenly dies that same night in a car accident.

I do not want to give too much of the story away in my review-- but yes, we of course do follow Jo as she begins a new life with her sons. It could seem like a "I've read this kind of book before...." type of novel, but it written with such warmth and wit and in a style that is filled with British humor that I really enjoyed it. You do need to be ready for the colorful language that comes along, and the unique English humor that is throughout the book. It is written by British author, Gil McNeil and definitely has a unique voice to it. It also took me a bit longer than I like to truly get into the story, but once I did.I was hooked.

I would call this a light funny read overall, about motherhood, life, women, relationships and day to day struggles we all encounter in one form or another. A great choice for a summer book.

Encouraging Your Kids To Read

Summer can be fun and offers lots of possibilities for outdoor play. But keeping kids interested in reading might be a little more challenging during summer. Our family does a few things to make reading fun and I thought I'd share them here for anyone looking for some ideas. Try having a different book each week that the family can read together and make themed activities for that week based on the story.

For little kids, about 3-5 years, read a book together.

Make a play about the story, and have kids pick the character they want to play. Mom and Dad can get involved too-especially if there are more characters in the story than kids in your family.

Make costumes together, and collect "props" that fit in with the story.

If there are any recipes in the story, make them during the week.

For older kids make word scrambles using words out of the story.

Have everyone write a new ending for the story and share them. For very young ones, have them draw their new ending.

Have everyone draw a new picture that would go on the cover of the book.

Take family trips to the library to pick out the book for the next week.


Any tips you'd like to share for helping your kids to enjoy reading?