Heading Home

This weekend I am headed back to my hometown for a weekend full of old friends and family. I am sure there will be a few summer BBQs in the backyard and lots of hugs. I even have plans to meet up with a few friends that I have not spoken to in years!

My bags are already packed and ready to go, complete with an entire bag of books. No, I don't plan to read the 13 titles this weekend, although that much free time would be a welcome change. My family and I have a long tradition of swapping our books. We will each bring a dozen or so books to the table, some of our favorites and some classics, and at the end of the weekend we will all leave with new reviews and a new bundle of books.

I find that even if it is a book I had already read years ago, the swap brings with it new reviews and opinions that make a second reading all the more enjoyable. After all, in the past few years my life has changed significantly and different backgrounds and experiences can completely change the way you read a book.

Do you or your family have any traditions similar to ours? Does your community have a book swap program already in place? Let us know!

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July is always a great opportunity to spend time with your family and take a break from work. A weekend filled with BBQs and family is always refreshing compared to stressful days at work. What a great start to summer!

This weekend I spent hours in the sunshine with a good book in hand. I got lost in the story, imagining myself in the protagonist's shoes instead of on my own back porch. I was startled back to reality when dinner was ready and spent the entire meal eager to get back to the book. In just three days I read all 300 pages and couldn't believe that it was over!

For me, family and a good book are the best ways to relax and take a break. I look forward to every opportunity and hope that you also had the chance to get lost in a good book this weekend.