news from the book nook: classic summer reads

We're back from a perfect, unplugged vacation in the Green Mountains! Reading, exploring, eating, relaxing...all my favorite things on repeat for ten gorgeous days! Pictures to come soon!

Meanwhile, are you trying to squeeze in a few last minute summer reads before the craziness of fall begins? Looking for a breezy, light read for your upcoming Labor Day getaway? Although my vacation reading tote bag is usually filled with the latest in adult fiction, every summer I try to re-read at least one of my childhood favorites. Some years I choose to be swept away to Prince Edward Island with "Anne with an e" and her kindred spirits in L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. [Note: book links are affiliated links. Full disclosure here.] Last year my classic of choice was Gene Stratton-Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost (the perfect eco-read for a Vermont getaway), Or if I'm in the mood for old English and a little romance I pick up Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice .

This year I chose a modern classic, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. Truly an incredible example of children's lit at its finest. Bonus: there are two follow up books that are filled with even more hilarious and heartwarming summer adventures from the lovable Penderwick crew. Read it! 

Here's a few other children's "classics" I suggest you put on your end-of-summer reading list: 

The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald 

Hoot by Carl Hiasson
Hoot by Kate DiCamillo
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (re-reading this one now!)

Pull up a deck chair, a cozy nook, or hammock and get reading! 

summer lovin'

Woah! July has slipped away and August has floated in on a wave of perfect weather! I've decided blogging in the summer is definitely not my gift. There's just too many other distractions..."sunny with a high of 75" summer days, evening walks, blackberry picking, jam making, shore trips, birthday celebrating, etc. etc. etc.

Let's play a little catch up! Here's a glimpse of some of the summery activities that have been occupying my days...

birthday lunch/appetizer/dinner dessert based on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate: wood-fired thin crust margarita pizza at Osteria in Philly. YUM! Followed up with lobster mac and cheese and coconut cream pie here. Watch the shows - prepare to drool.

 old barn love

 birthday part II: a hike at French Creek

 reflections in the beaver pond

 Mom's salmon cakes: this photo/the hubster's presentation does not do the delicious and flavorful cakes justice!

beauty

crazy clouds after a massive thunderstorm

easy summer meal: greek salad inspired wraps with a side of fruit

free Chick-fil-a milkshakes!! (thanks Janet!)

 crabbing at the shore with the fam

 somebody spooked the birds...

I'm a sucker for reflections...

hubster :)

precious sisters who took me out for a yummy brunch along the Delaware

mid laugh and loving it!

Hope your summer days have been as beautiful and blessed as mine!