Who else loves to read? I really enjoy a good book!  I do read a little bit everyday – but summer just screams READ to me!

In between longer days, lazy beach Sundays and our annual summer holiday, reading is definitely on the rise for this upcoming season.  Now that Nina is 39 months old, when we are at the beach she is happy to play alongside us on the sand, and partake in more games with her brother, Yanik.  This will give me the luxury to squeeze in a little more reading than usual.

My favourite reading gadget

Before diving right in with my top 5 recent favourites – I have to tell you how much I enjoy using my Kindle.
I love books – but unfortunately I do not have a lot of space to store them at home.  This is where my trusty Kindle comes in.
Not only does it not take up any shelf space, but I can store multiple books on it and not have to lug any extra weight around.  It practically takes up no space inside my bag, so I do not have to feel guilty about packing way too much things for myself when I need to keep the bags to a minimum.  When I find myself without it at some odd moment and I have the luxury to allow myself a few stolen minutes of reading, I can access the Kindle app on my iPhone.  This app automatically syncs with my Kindle and vice versa, so within seconds I am able to pick up right where I left off on either device!

Top 5 recent reads

It was no easy task to pick just 5! I would rather share 5 brilliant reads which you are able to make time to enjoy, rather than a long list which seems impossible!
Here go my top 5 (at this point I am diving into my Goodreads account to rehash, because I have a memory resembling a sieve…)

1. Dark Matter – Blake Crouch

This title is science fiction.  If you’re not a fan of sci-fi, don’t scroll down yet!  Give me time to finish.  I myself have never, ever enjoyed a sci-fi book or movie.  The mere thought of reading one bores me out of my wits.  But this mamas, is really and truly worth a read.  I picked it up after it was recommended by one of my favourite podcasters who also does not usually enjoy this genre.
To give you a little insight, the story revolves around Jason, who was abducted one night and knocked senseless.  When he wakes up he discovers that although he is still Jason, his life is not the same.  His wife is not his wife, his son hasn’t been born, his house is not his any longer, and the world as he knows it is gone. This book is a real page turner!

2. The Light Between Oceans – M.L. Stedman

This book is the author’s first – and boy was I impressed!  This novel is beautiful, captivating, and emotional.  The story is all about what happens when good people make bad decisions.  Set in Australia, in 1918, the tale is about a lighthouse keeper and his wife.  One day, a boat with a dead man and a baby washes up on the tiny island they inhabit.  The choice that they made that day would affect their life forever.
The author really outdoes herself by ‘manipulating’ the readers to sympathise with the characters despite the morally wrong choice that they make.
I do not want to spoil this book for you.  It is a must read this summer!

3. The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins

If you’re familiar with ‘Gone Girl’, a lot of people who’ve read both have said that the two books are very similar.  In my humble opinion, whilst they both have female characters who are rather immoral I would say, they are quite different.  The Girl on the Train is grittier, more gripping and more intense.
Rachel, the main character, catches the same train to work everyday.  Day after day she watches this one particular couple go through the same motions at the same time very single day, when the train stops in front of their residence.  She gives them names ‘Jason and Jess’ and thinks that their life together is ‘perfect’.
One day, everything changes.  Rachel sees something that shocks her and decides to take matters into her own hands.

4. Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty

Compared to the previous 3 books, this is somewhat lighter.  Big Little Lies centres around the lives of 3 women, all of whom send their children to the same school, and all of whom become friends.
‘Big Little Lies’ is all about the little lies we tell ourselves and others, which sometimes blow up in our faces.  This is exactly what happens in this page turning novel.
The characters are great, it’s got a touch of humour, and the plot is downright wicked.

5. The Woman in Cabin 10 – Ruth Ware

I was intrigued to pick up this book as it is a thriller which takes place on a luxury cruise.
Lo, the main character, is a travel journalist.  She gets lucky when she is picked to replace her pregnant boss to attend the extravagant Aurora cruise.
On her first night, she meets a mysterious woman on the ship, from the room next to hers – Cabin 10.  She later hears a blood-curdling scream, and hears the sound of a body being thrown into the sea.  The problem is, the cabin is empty, and no one matching the woman’s description is or was aboard the ship.
Lo is battling anxiety, self-medicates using alcohol, and takes anti-depressants.  Is she imagining things or was the Woman in Cabin 10 really murdered?

There you go – my favourite recently read 5 books for you to enjoy as your summer reads!

Before you go…

My book will be out this summer!  I totally recommend you pick it up and read it!

‘the Mama Manual: How Busy Mums get Organised’ will teach you how to CREATE TIME for who you love, what you love, and ultimately – for yourself.

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Happy Friday!

Nakita xxx