Hot town, summer in the city

I used to pride myself on being an every season kind of girl. I liked each one for a different reason, at one point I might have even told you that Winter was my favorite (with skiing, christmas and my birthday.) but, as I've gotten older it has become clear to me that this is no longer true. What I actually enjoy is the changing of the seasons. The first month or so of a season when the air becomes a bit brisk as the leave turn, or theChristmas spirit is in the air, or when everything begins to bloom. The one thing I never get sick of? Summer. Sure, I can image I would hate to live in a world of perpetual July, but I don't think I would mind an extension of the warm months. I guess you could say here in the Pacific Northwest we appreciate good weather a bit more that other places do.

I know I've said all of this before, but I just can't get over how good I've felt since Summer hit! I am actually going to admit that I'm sad to be taking a trip in August. Why we never plan anything for the grey month of January is beyond me! Some favorite photos from Summertime past:

A good Summertime quote:

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want."

-Bill Watterson, "calvin and Hobbes"

Update Book 57: Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

I know I already mentioned this book in my summer reading list, but I feel I should expand upon my thoughts. Obviously since I recommended it for a beach read, I liked it.

This is the story of Tessa and Valerie. Tessa is Nick's wife, Valerie is the woman he cheats on his wife with. The chapters switch back and forth between the two women. Sometimes I hate this style, but in this book it was done well. All of Tessa's chapters are from the first person, while Valerie's are from a narrator. I felt that this was an interesting way of writing a novel about infidelity. If it had been only from one of their perspectives it would have been easy to villainize the other. As it is, you (for the most part) understand where both of them are coming from.

Emily Giffin has a way of completely captivating me. Her novels usually involve some sort of infidelity. They are about how difficult a relationship can be and how easy it is to let temptation in. What I enjoy most about her books is that they are quick reads. What's unique is that Giffin also has the ability to make you feel really connected to the characters. I couldn't put this one down.

I Capture the Castle.

Welcome to the world Mr. Callen James Michelson! My handsome nephew was born June 24th.

(isn't he just the cutest?!)

It is kind of silly that I thought I would get a ton of reading done while waiting at the hospital! This didn't happen because most of my time I spent there was between the hours of 4 am and 1 pm. Three hours of sleep does not equal a reading state of mind. But! I did manage to get through one novel! I've also been too busy to keep up with my monthly goal of writing ten blogs... I guess I will have to aim for that goal again in July!

I am feeling sort of random and would like to mention the weather. Mostly how ridiculous it is that tomorrow is the first day of July and I am still wearing jeans and a sweatshirt! What is going on here?! I am so ready for SUNSHINE!! Now we hope for an Indian summer I suppose...

Update Book 53: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

There is a book I stumbled across at the beginning of this year called "The Reading Group." The book is about a book club. It is divided into twelve chapters that correspond to the twelve books the club reads in that year. I want to read this book. It is sitting on my shelf. I can't read this book until I have read all of the books that they talk about in those twelve chapters. This is sort of the same situation as seeing a movie before reading the book. Needless to say, "I Capture the Castle," is one of those twelve books.

This book is very different from most of the novels I have picked up recently. It takes place in England shortly after the war (no not another WWII novel, in fact it doesn't even mention the war). "I Capture the Castle," is narrated by a young girl of 17 named Cassandra, whose family lives in a small village castle. This is the story of her first love.

At times I felt like the book dragged along. Sometimes when you read a book that was written fifty or a hundred years ago you barely notice, it is so well written and interesting that you become a part of the narration. That wasn't so with this book. I never became connected, I was always aware that the story took place in a much different time. Not my favorite book of the last 53, but not my least favorite either. I will say this about it though; there were a few twists that I didn't see coming, which is something I always enjoy.