Earlier this month, we shared with you some fantastic summer reads, courtesy of the Tots100 Book Club, in association with Tesco Books.
Today, we’re sharing the second half of our recommended summer reads from UK parent blogs, with some great recommendations for children and adults. You can read Part 1 here, if you missed it.
So what did our parent bloggers love reading this summer?
First up, Sharon from I Heart Motherhood recommends The Two Week Wait, an emotional tale of two women’s journeys to pregnancy and parenthood via IVF. The book is actually a sequel but can easily be enjoyed as a standalone read, and is relatable for anyone who’s struggled and waited to become a parent. Rather spookily, the very same book was chosen by another of our reviewers this month – Rebecca from Two Become Four. Rebecca found The Two Week Wait gripping, emotional, and perfect for reading on a boring journey!
Meanwhile, Mum of Three Boys is reviewing the perfect book for anyone who’s ever fantasised about being a contestant on the Great British Bake-Off – Katie Fforde’s Recipe for Love. This one’s a light-hearted and absorbing read with characters you’ll love to laugh and cry with.
Sometimes you want a book without any tragedy or controversy or shocking storylines. If that’s you, then you might love Breakfast at Darcy’s, which has been reviewed by Clare over at Seasider in the City this month – Clare describes this book as a proper story, aborbing and well-written. It’s the tale of a young women who inherits a fortune; but only if she can successfully move to a remote island and help build a community there. It’s something a bit different to the usual chick-lit, and Clare recommends it!
Our next recommended read is about as different as you can imagine – Heartbreak & Triumph is the tale of WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels, and his rise to become one of the top wrestlers of the 1990s. This frank book is full of behind the scenes snippets and the truth behind what really went on in the high-profile world of pro wrestling – including the feuds, the cliques and the impact of drugs, depression and religion on Shawn’s life.
Depression also features in our next recommended read. Author Marian Keyes writes honestly and movingly about her experience of depression in Saved by Cake. Juju Bean says the book might sound as though it would be depressing but far from it – this book is candid, bright and vibrant, with plenty of stories that will make you smile. You’ll also be inspired by Marian’s descent into the depths of depression and her long, hard climb back to the surface – by baking, baking, and baking some more!
Thanks to all the parent bloggers who have shared summer book reviews through the Book Club – we’ve loved seeing all your recommended summer reads.
The Tots100 Book Club will be back next month, and we’re looking for more keen reviewers to join our team! We can’t promise you riches, but there may well be a lovely book, courtesy of our friends at Tesco, and we’re very grateful that the nice people at Galaxy are rewarding our reviewers with chocolate, too! Just leave your blog name in the comments if you’d like to join in.
About Sally
Sally Whittle is founder of the Tots100, Foodies100, BlogSummit and the MAD Blog Awards. When she's not working, she can be found blogging at Who's the Mummy, or having fun with her 7 year old daughter, Flea.
I need to make myself read more. I’m thinking up theme tune for non-existent television programmes. Can I join? kellyinnes@hotmail.co.uk
Hello. I just wrote a post about the books me and the kids enjoyed over Summer. I wrote a post about it here http://mummyratesit.co.uk/blog/my-summer-in-books/
However, in short the kids really loved a bit of Old School Cool in the shape of The Wombles. We also started reading Ivy & Bean which is a great American kids series (but it didn’t need any real translation) about two 7-year-old girls. As well as being fun for parents to read aloud it is a also a good reading book for Year1/2 age group.
I’ve been using my Kindle to its full capacity. Making the most of the free classics. I’ve read The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
I also went down a romantic genre route with The Rose Revived, Summer Loving and The Curiosity Cabinet.
I persevered and won with Room – a very intense novel about a woman and child who are locked away in a room and finally, of course, I was one of the millions who worked her way through the trilogy of 2012 – Fifty Shades !
If possible I’d love to join the book group – now I’ve read all of those I need some inspiration!
Happy reading everyone
Michelle x
Sounds right up my street! Lovely books are riches in my opinion and I’d love to take part!