The End of the Summer of No TV

Well, fall is officially here (according to the calendar. I don't know when the first official day of fall is, but to me it's with the start of September), so I could potentially say that now is the end of the summer of no TV. But, I think I'm going to wait. The weather is still hot and beautiful, so there's no point in turning back on the boob tube while it's still pleasant to be outside. I think I'll wait until it's cold and the thought of warm pajamas and an enthralling crime show are too enticing to resist. But I am starting to reflect on the summer, and I've decided it's been a success.

With the TV off, my husband and I spent the summer going out, exploring our city, talking long walks with the dog and training for a 5K. We went to Paris, which was the vacation of a lifetime, and spent a lot more quality time together at home. I read a lot of books, took a lot of naps and just tried to soak in the heat of summer when it was around. Sadly, the lack of TV did not inspire me to put anymore time into yard work, aside from picking and eating all my raspberries and strawberries with big dollops of whipped cream, but we did put in a driveway, so there's that.

The point is, we really enjoyed our time off, and with winter approaching we're looking forward to having the perfect excuse to snuggle up and watch TV again. I think this could be an annual thing, so we have no excuse not to get the most we can out of summer. What about you? What did you get out of summer this year?

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts

Yesterday I finished a fantastic book, but surprisingly it wasn't on my summer reading list. I saw this one while I was on vacation in Palm Springs, wandering through a Barnes and Noble. I was walking up and down the aisles, fingers trailing along the spines and covers, the taste of Mrs. Field's cookies still warm in my mouth. And that's when I saw it. The cover of this book.

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon

I don't know if it was due to the aching of my heart, being away from my own beloved Great Dane, Maddie, or if it was just my innate love of the breed, but I saw that adorable Great Dane on the cover and I plucked it from the shelves immediately. When I read the back, I realized the Great Dane on the cover had not steered me wrong. It sounded fantastic! So, of course, I bought it, took it home and read it. The result?

The book was fantastic! Although the story does not actually contain a Great Dane (boo!), it does contain Bertie the Basset Hound, whose hijinks reminded me of my own odd little darling. The book features multiple characters, each dealing with secrets and problems of their own, whose lives become intertwined through their dogs. It's one of the best books I've read all year. Not only do I highly recommend it, but I INSIST that you read it immediately. You won't be sorry you did, although I must warn you, it may cause you to pull your own dog a little closer for a hug.

Summer Reading List

I don't know if it's just because I've been so busy lately, or if it's because the book I've been trying to read is as boring as a three hour lecture on geometry given in Greek, but I really haven't been reading much. Which is a problem for several reasons. First of all, I love reading. I love the way books can take you away, the way they can captivate you. Second, one of the most frequently given pieces of advice to blossoming writers is to read, and read as much as they possibly can. It's the best teacher available.

So, I'm taking a stand. This summer, I want to read at least a book a week. I've drafted a list of books I'd like to read this summer and I'm sharing them with you, just in case you'd like to join me. These are all books that have been calling to me from the book shelves, books that promise delightful adventures within their covers. As I finish each one, I promise to post a review and let you know if it's worthwhile. In the meantime, here is the list. Happy reading everyone!

1. These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen

I love Sarah Pekkanen. I read The Opposite of Me and Skipping a Beat. They were both utterly dazzling. I honestly believe she is one of the great writers of our time. I can't wait to dig in to her latest work!

2. The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

I read The Birth House and adored it. Ami is an expert at beautifully crafted stories and settings. She brings history alive with characters you can really make a connection to. Can't wait for this one.

3. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

I've been a big fan of The Bloggess for a long time. I love her quirky humor and completely unique personality. Her blog posts have me laughing out loud every time. Her memoir is sure to be an utter delight.

4. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

I read the book jacket on this one and became instantly intrigued. I'm honestly not usually into historical fiction, but I just can't resist. I must read it!

5. Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore

My love affair with Christopher Moore started a few years ago when I read A Dirty Job. I love books that are strange and make me laugh. They're not always great, I didn't care for Fluke or any of his vampire ones, but I have high hopes for this one.

6. How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue

I read the first fourteen pages of this one on amazon and was hooked! I love the writing style, and the plot promises intrigue and delicious cupcakes. It's win/win!

7. The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service by Beth Kendrick

Same story as the last book, I read the first few pages on amazon and I have to find out what happens next. I'm a huge dog person, so combining them and a great plot makes me pretty happy! I don't normally read dog books because the dogs always die, but this is one is not your usual tear jerker sob fest. Perfection.

8. Off the Menu by Stacey Ballis

I loved Good Enough to Eat, so much so that I forced everyone in my inner circle to read it. I could not pass up the chance to read her newest cuisine infused fiction.

9. Jeneration X by Jen Lancaster

I've been following Jen Lancaster since her first book, Bitter is the New Black. It was the first book to ever make me laugh out loud, leaving my husband to wonder what the hell was wrong with me. It's still my favourite, my second being Such a Pretty Fat. I can't wait to read her latest exploits.

10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I want to read this book for one simple reason: it was recommended to me. That's pretty much the only reason, but I think sharing great reads with one another is a very important practice, so I intend to give it a whirl.