Books for the Summer 2015

I love books.  A proper hard copy with printed paper.  I love fact and fiction and more recently..............colouring books!  If you're looking for a creative and mindful outlet then colouring is the way to go.  I am not talking about children's books with their often crude images on cheap paper, I am talking about beautifully intricate designs on quality paper that allow you to add your personal touch in adding colour.  This latest literary craze in adult colouring books is also known as art therapy and a great stress reliever.  I think summer is an ideal time to use such a book; on holiday by the pool perhaps or in a quiet spot in the park or garden.  One problem I have had though is that they are too beautiful to 'spoil' by colouring in!  I have taken a leap of faith by starting to add colour to the 'this book belongs to' page before progressing further in the book.  I have linked some suggestions of the best ones below that can be found on Amazon.

Enchanted Forest - Inky Quest and Colouring Book

The Art Therapy Colouring Book

Adult Colouring Book

The One and Only Colouring Book for Adults

Buy yourself some quality coloured pencils or gel pens to go with your book.  Add a pencil sharpener and you're ready to go!

If colouring books are not your thing then you may wish to do some light summer reading.  I have been reading The Rose Garden by Marita Conlon-Mckenna.  The main character is Molly who is finding the upkeep of  her Irish country house (Mossbawn) difficult to maintain since the death of her husband.  She starts to restore the neglected and overgrown walled rose garden whilst reluctantly putting her house up for sale.  Her niece Kim is invited to stay at Mossbawn House whilst getting over a broken relationship.  The house is set in the village of Kilfinn which is where Gina works in  Cassidy's Cafe.  The three women are each looking for a new beginning.

'Standing in the orangery, Molly couldn't believe what a wonderful place it was to have a party.  You could see out over the lawn and gardens, the high glass ceiling looking up to the starry night sky.'

The book is a chunky 458 pages but an easy read with chapters being only a few pages long.  I usually fall asleep whilst reading novels but this one caught my interest.

'Gina!'  called Norah. 'There's a hot rhubarb tart and an apple tart to go out to the front of the shop.  And you'll whip up some more cream to go with them, please!'

If you like descriptive writing of home cooked food, beautiful houses and gardens then this book is sure to tickle your senses.  It is not a complex book and is very basic and predictable when compared to trying to decipher some of Hardy's work, which is my favoured reading material, but if you want a gentle, lazy summer read - it is perfect.

My final book choice is Moominpapa's Book of Thoughts.  Originally for children and written and illustrated by Tove Jansson, this is a book for all ages filled with philosophical anecdotes and insights from Moominpapa collated by Sami Malila such as:

'There are some things in the World that cannot be disputed, such as sea currents and the seasons, and the fact that the sun will rise in the morning.  And that lights will shine in lighthouses.'

If you have not read Moomin books before (I vaguely remember them as a child) why not use this summer to get to know them?  I think I may have a new obsession coming my way with the enchanting Moomins and strange characters they meet such as the Hattifatteners, Tulippa, mermaids, sea-trolls and other weird and wonderful creatures!  I have listed some Moomin books below that link to Amazon.

The Moomins and the Great Flood 

Finn Family Moomintroll

Moominpapa at Sea

For more Savor Summer inspiration click on the link to Anne's blog here. and scroll down to see all the previous Savor Summer posts.

See you on Monday with another 'joy list'!

*************************