I have just finished a REALLY good book (The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain) and I feel like I have got the reading bug back. In years gone by I have become a holiday only reader, as I seldom find the time to read once I am back in the land of ‘working mum life’. The books sit on my bedside table, winking at me and I stare back at them with guilt and a million excuses in my head. But reading is a discipline like anything else and I must make time. After all, reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. Switching off the screen and picking up book is really important and I read this great piece recently which really hit home.
One of the things that I have struggled with this holiday is seeing how much time my children would choose to spend on their screens, if they weren’t policed. I have had to force the eldest to read a book (she has read ONE) and seem to spend much of my time nagging them to put their screens away. I have had to enforce a ‘HAND-YOUR-SCREENS-OVER-TIME’ at night, (in caps because I am usually shouting this command) and I will be attempting to continue this once we get home. It’s the only way to get them to read books. And if I don’t do it, how can I expect them to?!
It helps, of course, to have a really great book, so I asked you lovely lot for some recommendations today. I thought I would list them here for my own quick reference and for anyone that might be looking for a recommended read.
I will add to this list as and when more recommendations come through. But for now, its not a bad list to work my way through! Wish me luck…
* post update. I gave up on the book I was reading in the cover pic. I have decided life’s too short to struggle through a book. *
Love,
Chloe x
Like you, I feel after reading Girl on the Train on summer holiday a few weeks ago and enjoying it so much I have caught the reading bug again and am determined to make time for reading books again. I did an English Literature degree so my love of books is long-standing but has totally fallen by the wayside in the last 10 years. Will be sure to pick up a few from the list above, starting with the one you raved about from your holiday reading x
The Child. Such a great read. A friend gave it to me & said she hadn’t been able to put it down. I then couldn’t put it down either & read it in 2 days.
Thank you – will add.
Just like you, I’ve regressed to being a guilty holiday-only reader… There are so many good books out there, I really get cross when I spend time on a poor book! In the photo I see ‘The Girl Before’ – don’t waste your valuable time! Terrible, clichéd book from the 50 Shades stable. I finished that in such a bad mood!
It was my first holiday read. I thought that it was quite good for the reading stage I was at after not picking up a book for a while, but I agree with you the ending was a little flat…😐
I too used to read a lot. There are some interesting recommendations here that I will be adding to my reading list and I too am very excited to dedicate time to putting down my phone/laptop and get reading again, thank you for the suggestions.
Thanks Pauline x
Thank you! I bought ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ yesterday, after reading the recommendations on your insta page and this blog and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far. Have read over 80 pages in one day, which is a miracle what with having three children. Will come back to your recommendations for my next book. Great idea to share favourite books x
Ooh thanks for letting me know. I am struggling through my book and think now I am back I need something that grabs me instantly so might order that one now! xxx