Happy Tuesday! I am linking up with Shooting Stars to show you the books I read this month and I am also sharing my hobbies with the Not Just a Mom ladies. I thought it would be a good double post because reading is my longest hobby.

I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. I always have my kindle or a book with me, just in case I have a minute to read. Right now I am reading The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren. I love the author duo and this is a fun read to keep that summer feeling going!

I am not sure if I would call exercise part of my routine or a hobby. Either way I do it almost every day and I enjoy it even when it’s hard. I walk or lift weights most days. It always makes me feel better.

Right now, I enjoy filling my time cheering my boys on in their endeavors. Whether it is on the golf course or the soccer field, at the pool, or building Legos, I love every minute of it!

Traveling is a hobby that I can’t do every day, but I do love picking fun places to visit. I have a few fun places on our list for next year that I’d like to visit.

When my kids are grown, I would like to pick up the hobby of golf more seriously/regularly. Jeff, Jack, and Luke have fun playing pickleball and I’d like to learn how to play so I can join them.

If you were an outside observer of my days, you might also think my hobbies are driving my kids around and doing the dishes. While I do enjoy car time with my kids, I assure you these are not my hobbies.

Ok, on to that number one hobby – reading!! Since my last reading post I’ve read five books. I loved the books I read and was on a good reading roll. This work thing is really getting in the way of my reading by the pool time, but I am having fun doing this reading with my students thing now.

On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

**Sunshine and Books 2023 Summer Beach Read**

I am not sure what I expected from this book, but this story wasn’t it. As much of a surprise as it was, I loved it! I have yet to read a book by Jane L. Rosen that I do not love. I felt Ben’s grief on every page, but you could also feel the love from the Fire Island community. It felt like an amazing place to spend your summer, and winter. I highly recommend it but know that there is a death of a young person (37 years old) and that might be tough to read if you’ve been through something so sad.

The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan ☀️☀️☀️☀️

**Sunshine and Books 2023 Summer Beach Read**

This wasn’t my favorite Jenny Colgan book at the start, but the characters really grew on me as the story went on. I loved watching Morag’s confidence grow as she explored the island, house, and relationship with Gregor. It was a story of family and loyalty with the beautiful backdrop of islands in the north of the UK. If you enjoy Jenny Colgan, don’t skip this one!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (audio) ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series when it came out, but I am really enjoying listening to the books with Luke. The Order of the Phoenix was intense at times, but the story is fabulous and Jim Dale’s narration is spectacular!

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

**Sunshine and Books 2023 Summer Beach Read**

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book for our pool book club, but I am sure glad I did. This book spanned before, during, and after the rise of the pandemic. In this book a writer on a SNL type show and a pop star meet and reconnect through the pandemic. At times, I wanted to shake Sally but I was thrilled with how her story ended.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

**Sunshine and Books 2023 Summer Beach Read**

I have been a fan of Kristy’s books since I read my first one. I loved the summer camp setting in this book and the flashbacks that the three friends have. The three friends have a relationship that goes all the way back to their first summer at camp in the Songbird cabin. They have seen each other through thick and thin and are still going through it, but they love each other and friendship like that is so good! I wrote down so many quotes about summer and friendship from this book. I can’t wait to see Kristy again next month when she comes to my town!

Currently Reading: The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

**Sunshine and Books 2023 Summer Beach Read**

Currently Listening: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

I hope you are reading something great right now! What was your favorite book of the summer? You can always checkout what I’ve been reading on my Books 2023 page. If you scroll to the bottom of that Books 2023 page, I have all of my yearly reading pages linked. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!

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