I’m a bit late to the party with this one (can someone PLEASE tell me how we’re half way through August already?!), but today is the first chance I’ve had this summer to nestle down, grab a cuppa (coz it’s gotten cold again) and get into a book. Now, I’m a slow reader, so I only have three books on this list. God knows if I’ll have time to even make it through all three – but I want to try! 

1. Where Have All the Boys Gone – Jenny Colgan

This is an oldie but a goodie for me… Mama P passed this on to me after she’d finished reading it yearsss ago (she gets through a lot of books and I tend to get the hand-me-downs of the ones she thinks I’ll like – AWW 😊). I absolutely loved it then, and have read it from cover to cover at least 5 times. It’s come with me to every house, flat and studio I’ve lived in, and is my absolute go to read. I don’t know why I have such a soft spot for it, but you know it’s good when you’re onto your 6th time and aren’t bored of it yet. The blurb is as follows:

2. Sleeping Arrangements – Sophie Kinsella

I’ve read a couple of Sophie Kinsella’s other books before (I got given a set of 3 as a gift a few years back), but this is the one I haven’t got round to reading yet. I had a quick look at Ms. Kinsella’s website, and this is what she had to say…sounds perfect for summer reading!

3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – JK Rowling (as if I even need to state the author!)

Now then, I am a MASSIVE HP fan, I’m an honorary Hufflepuff (#HuffleBUFF!), member of Pottermore (I have my wand and Patronus charm), been to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour twice (and gotten plenty of merchandise), and seen ‘Harry Potter and The Cursed Child’ in London (just part 1 though, I was poorly and couldn’t see part 2 💔). So I think it’s CRIMINAL that since reading the books when they came out, I’ve only just started (in the last year or so), reading them for a second time. I started book 1 last Easter and it’s taken me nearly 16 months to get through the first 5 books. I adore reading, but I just haven’t had enough time in the past year to settle down on regular occasions, with book and cuppa in hand. And the fact I’m such a fan but haven’t read this book since it was published 9 years ago is CRIMINAL. 

When I read, I like to have a few a hours to put aside so I can really get into it. I don’t enjoy it as much when it’s just half an hour here or there – that’s not long enough for me to be ‘transported’ – and that’s one of the things I love about reading! I’m praying that I find time amongst the workshops, summer schools, wedding planning and house moving to finish AT LEAST 2 of these.

If anyone has any other recommendations, let me know!