What Are You Reading?

I finally have my reading groove back after a 2 year hiatus. Let me explain. During lockdown, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up on reading, right? Multiple attempts to begin a new book proved unsuccessful as I realized over time my brain was too busy processing what was going on in the world and figuring out ways to stay upbeat and positive. As the New Year began, I made it my goal to read a book a month during 2022. To my relief, I found it to be a welcome escape rather than a challenge.  As I spoke to friends and family, I realized I wasn't alone in lack of concentration the past couple of years. Are you enjoying reading again and if so, what are you reading?  Pictured below are a few of my favorites I've read so far this year. Visit and support your local book store, library or look for a Little Free Library online to find a world map to search for a neighborhood yard library near you.  Your local library offers web access, on demand streaming of movies and tv series, a music library allowing you to download music and so much more! 

 Happy Weekend📚

Agriculture Awareness

I have been gifted this fabulous book How To Grow A Monster for my Little Free Library from the DuPage Country Farm Bureau Foundation.  It's an educational book directed to reach children ages 5-8 about a young boy named Gabe whose mom has grown too many zucchinis in their garden. It's part of the Makers Movement and Makers Make it Work series. This story shows how Gabe and his sister come up with a plan working together to secretly take over their moms garden.  

Included in the book is a gardening related activity for readers to do themselves.  What a fun way to introduce gardening and the importance of agriculture.  

If you haven't visited a Little Free Library in your neighborhood yet, please visit their website for the map labeling one close to your home or business.  And thank you DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation for your support and generosity.

Happy Gardening🏡

Are You Having Trouble Concentrating?

My home library shelves.

I love books. I love to read. I am the proud owner of a Little Free Library in our yard so I can share my books with neighbors and my community. I have shelves of books in our home as well as  baskets of paperbacks in bedrooms so family and friends can just pick up a book to read. Reading has always relaxed me. But during the Pandemic I have found myself struggling to concentrate. I buy the latest best seller that catches my eye and as I find time to begin the book, my mind wanders.  After several attempts, I put the book down. because I can't get engaged in it.  I am working on losing the guilt for not staying with it. 
We're all feeling anxious and stressed.  Anxiety reduces our ability to concentrate. 
If you can't concentrate, give yourself permission to put the book down to revisit another time. 
Not every book works for everyone, even when it is on the best seller list.
Find a book that is light in subject matter.  Easy to read and makes you feel good. 

Final word....if your brain needs a break, put the book away, turn on your favorite movie or head to the kitchen and learn how to make sourdough bread. There's something relaxing about kneading bread dough and having your home filled with the aroma of baking bread.  Revisit another book another time. 

Beat the Heat with a Great Summer Read

My current read and best seller.

 Mrs. Every-Thing is a story about two sisters with very different lives. 

My favorite book this summer is author Danielle Lincoln Hanna third of her 6 book suspense series, Mailboat, The Captain's Tale.  Be sure to read Mailboat 1, The End of the Pier, and Mailboat 11, The Silver Helm .  Danielle's books are reads I promise you won't be able to put down. They are set in the resort town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Pick them up at your book store. Or order on Amazon or Danielle Lincoln Hanna today. 

Here are a few of the books I wanted to read this year. 

What are you reading this summer?  My summer bucket list included reading my growing stack of best sellers I continue to purchase each time I read a great review.  Last week my friend Mary and I spent a lovely afternoon at our local Barnes and Noble.  We looked at new releases, bargain books, vintage books, and magazines before settling in at their cafe' with slices of delicious blueberry cheesecake and iced teas, talking about the great books and magazines we had found.  We each purchased the final copy of Tin House magazine. After 20 years, it has published it's last copy and it is amazing.  Publisher, Win McCormack will continue to put focus on Tin House Books and Workshop.  I urge you to research Tin House online for it's collection of original fiction, poetry, and non fiction written by new authors and voices to add to your reading collection.  

I'm currently reading author Jennifer Weiner Mrs. Every-Thing. It's a novel about two sisters in the 50's trying to overcome barriers they are faced and how roles have changed  throughout the coming years.  It's a great summer read and great conversation for your book club.

I am a proud owner of a Little Free Library that I have placed in my front yard for friends and neighbors who want to stop by to take or give a book to share.  I make an effort to keep old favorites and current best sellers in my library. I smile seeing daily visitors that visit my library either my foot, bike, or car.  Look for one in your neighborhood online at Little Free Library to check out the libraries in your area or how to participate and share your love of books with your community.

~Happy Reading📚~

Mailboat III is Here at Last!

Reading The Captain's Tale!

Author Danielle Lincoln Hanna has done it again with her amazing murder suspense series, Mailboat.  Mailboat III The Captain's Tale is in bookstores now and it is my favorite of the series so far.  In this third of the Mailboat Suspense Series, I found myself getting answers to much awaited questions from Book II, but once again, our author leaves her readers hanging on to the edge of their seats as you follow along in the lives of Captain Tommy, Ryan, Monica and Bailey.  

Don't miss the chance to meet Danielle in Lake Geneva, Madison, Milwaukee Wisconsin or Chicago on her book signing tour this month June 8-23. Check out where she will be on the Events page of her web site Danielle Lincoln Hanna.  You can also order paperback copies of all of the Mailboat books in the series on Danielle's page or Amazon.  

The Captain's Tale is the "perfect" summer read! I've placed my order of several copies to place in my Little Free Library to share with neighbors and friends in our neighborhood.  It will have your book club buzzing so get on board today!

  

What Are You Reading this Summer?

I looked forward all winter to stealing time away from busy scheduling to finally read the books I have been gathering. My recent favorite is author Ruth Ware's new book, The Death of Mrs. Westaway.  Ruth Ware writings are books I know will be guaranteed page turners.  When I finished reading The Death of Mrs. Westaway and The Lying Game, I put them in my Little Free Library to share.  I noticed the next day they were gone. I'm sure they will return to the library when my neighbors and friends finish it to share with others. 

As you can see pictured below, I gather books of all kinds in nearly every room in our home.  I love to be able to grab a few moments in a cozy corner or on a favorite couch and read a few pages while I let my mind wander and escape the day.  It makes me happy to be the proud owner of my own Little Free Library When I finish a book, I place it in my library to share with my neighbors.  I have regular visitors that will share a book and take a book and I try to keep books of interest to all ages in my library. 

What are you reading this Summer?

Mailboat Book Two is Almost Here

The summer of 2016 gave us the first of author Danielle Lincoln Hanna's murder mystery series, Mailboat Book One. The story began in the resort town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where the mail has been delivered to the mansions in the summer by The Walworth mailboat.  Resident "mail jumpers" jump off and back on the boat, placing the mail in the mailbox all while the Walworth glides by the pier to it's next stop.  Mailboat Book One left us with anticipation and holding our breath over who is committing murders in this idyllic lakeside town and wondering the fate of Bailey, the young mail jumper caught up in the twists and turns the author provides in this summer thriller.

~MailBoat Book Two~

The long awaited Mailboat Book Two is being released in August. Happy to be on Danielle Lincoln Hanna's early reader team, I found Danielle has once again exceeded my expectations with the newest book in her suspense mystery series.  The author hopes to make this a series of six books and I find myself eager to see how the next book turns out.  I've been a home owner in the Lake Geneva area for many years and I find the accuracy Danielle uses in covering the area attractions and landmarks impressive, adding to the appeal to these stories. 

Danielle will be in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin promoting Mailboat Book Two August 10 through 19.  You can meet her at the Cornerstone Shop & Gallery at 214 Broad Street in Lake Geneva on Saturday, August 11 from 12-4 to sign your books so mark your calendar. Be sure to check out Danielle's webpage and sign up for her newsletter to get updates on her other book signings at Danielle Lincoln Hanna events.

I read Mailboat Book One over again and it's a thrilling page turner each time!

Happy reading!

What Are You Reading?

I am the proud owner of a Little Free Library and it gives me joy to see neighbors, friends and family, our grandson and daughter in law Lisa of (Balancing Lisa) finding a book to take home to enjoy. Do you have one in your neighborhood? If you don't, why not check into putting one in your yard?  Go to Little Free Library to check out the map to guide you to a library near you or the possibility of buying one for your home. We live in a neighborhood where there are so many neighbors out walking each day.  The first few weeks our library was up, I watched many look at it with curiosity as they passed by.  Eventually, they paused long enough to open the door and realize the books inside were free to take and enjoy.  Feel free to read and return for others to read or donate a book or two of your own to the library to share.  It builds a great feeling of community and inspires readers of all ages. Happy reading📚

Exciting New Book of the Summer!

Photo courtesy of DanielleLincolnHanna

 Please meet Danielle Lincoln Hanna, an author friend of mine who has just completed her new suspense mystery called  Mailboat Book One.  The story is based in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. I was privileged to have been asked to be an early reader for Mailboat Book One.  It's the first time in years I have read an entire book of over 200 pages in one night.  I couldn't put it down and I recommend it as one of the best reads of the Summer. 

The book opens with Bailey Johnson who is employed for the Summer on the historic Lake Geneva Mailboat as a mail jumper on Geneva Lake. Bailey'a job is   jumping off the boat as it is moving to deliver the mail in the mailbox at the end of each lakefront mansion pier.  One day after tumbling into the lake, Bailey discovers a dead body under the water which is only the beginning of this suspense and action packed mystery. 

Mailboat One becomes available Monday, August 1st on Amazon.  In the meantime, please check out Danielle's webpage at daniellelincolnhanna for a sneak preview of Mailboat Book One.  Click on My Books at the top of Danielle's page, and download a free sample of Mailboat Book One.  You can also check out Danielle's Twitter page @DanielleLHanna.  I plan on ordering several copies to place in and share in my Little Free Library at my home.  

Here's an exciting opportunity to meet Danielle in Lake Geneva on the actual Mailboat which also happens to be celebrating it's 100'th birthday this year.  

Saturday, August 20th at 9am meet at lakegenevariviera on the beautiful shores of Geneva Lake for an actual Mailboat cruise, have lunch with Danielle in downtown Lake Geneva, hear how Danielle was inspired to write her suspense thriller by her visit a couple of years ago to Lake Geneva.  And you will receive an autographed copy of Mailboat Book One.  There are only five tickets available so please go to http://daniellelincolnhanna.com/mailboat-cruise-with-the-author for more information.  Ticket's are $100.00 pp.  

Have a great weekend and happy reading!  

Is There a Little Free Library in your Neighborhood?

I have had a passion for bookstores since I was a young adult, and our children share the same passion.  I love the smell and look of bookstores, big or small.  Hence, over the years my book collection has grown to capacity. I remember reading about LittleFreeLibrary a few years ago and thinking to myself this is something I must do for our neighborhood and community.  Why not share the books I have read with others and vice versa?  

Littlefreelibrary was started by Todd Bol in his hometown of Hudson, Wisconsin, where he built the first library in 2009 as a tribute to his mother.  She was a former teacher and lifelong reader.  He put out a sign that read "free books".  There are now 25,000 libraries and stewards like myself worldwide providing hardcovers and paperbacks to their neighborhoods .  It makes me happy to see how it brings neighborhoods together and engages conversation with those walking by who happen to notice my library for the first time.  

See a book you like?  Take it home.  Do you have a book to share?  Add it to the library.  The books are always changing and I try to offer books for all ages and interests.  If you're interested in becoming a library steward, please check out the website LittleFreeLibrary for information on how to purchase your library or build your own.  

Lakehouse Lyn library open for business

Assembling the posts 

My husband hard at work helping me fill the library with fun reads

Before placing my library on the outside post

Yvonne loves one of my favorite authors, NoraRoberts.  Have you read her book Whiskey Beach?  It's a good Summer read!

Start one in your community and promote your love of reading this Summer.

~Happy Weekend~