Behind the Blog #14; Summer Extravaganza!

Behind the Blog is a meme to help bloggers connect their life and interests to the content showcased on their blog. The co-hosts, Faye, Kathe, and Melissa will provide a different topic, idea, or question every week that bloggers can relate to themselves and the books, films, or other media they find interesting!

As summer slowly winds down, I thought it might be nice to reflect on the sunny season. Did you take any fun trips this summer? Make an amazing memory you’d like to share? What’s your favorite summer activity? In relation to books: What are some good “beach reads” you’d recommend for these last few weekends of summer?

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* First off, I just want to apologise for not posting this on Friday, things got a little busy but better late than never, right? :D*

I have always preferred winter over summer. I like the rain and I like being able to curl up in front of the fire with a nice hot cup of cocoa and just settle down with a good book. I like the cold that winter brings and how it makes it seem okay to just sit back and relax. Summer, on the other hand, is notoriously known for it’s activities, and day trips, and fun, fun, fun. Which, you know, I don’t have a problem with but it can get a little on the busy side.

My summer has definitely been busy. Between graduating, moving home, working and socialising, it’s felt like I’ve never stopped. Being back at home, my little sister – being the active person she is – is constantly bored and wanting to do something; and she doesn’t class reading or watching tv and films as something. So I’ve been more active in the house than I have been in a long time which has also helped to cut down my reading time.

But I have loved it.

This summer, while all over the place, has been a good one. I am craving the winter months but I have enjoyed myself this summer despite that. I’ve been to my first proper wedding and it was beautiful, I’ve been on a spontaneous holiday that was brilliant and I’ve been getting more active then I’ve been in a while. But it’s definitely not a lifestyle that I could keep yearly. I think this summer has worked out for me because I know that in a short while, the winter will arrive and life will start to slow down again and you know what – I can’t wait!

Really the best thing to happen to me this summer was my graduation. I still can’t believe I’ve graduated – feels so surreal – but I’m so happy for it and the day itself was just brilliant, stressful and hectic, but brilliant none-the-less. What was your best moment this summer?

In relation to books, my memory of books I read when I was younger is shady at best but I do know that I don’t tend to read many summer-y books, preferring to stick my head into paranormal and fantasy books! But the top three books I would choose as great summer reads (they may not particularly be about summer but are great books to read in the summer) are;

• Saving June by Hannah Harrington; I have actually only just finished this one recently and I loved it. It was brilliant and the whole road trip going throughout the book just reminded me of summer holidays because that’s the best time to road trip.
• If You Could See Me Now by Cecila Ahern; There really isn’t a book of Cecila’s that I don’t absolutely love but this one was so magical that it would best be read in the summer. It’s about imaginary friends on the surface but underneath it’s about being who you are and not who you think you should be. It’s simply amazing.
• The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland; This book just really moved me. It was set in the summer – the summer before college and it was a coming-of-age story that just really shook me. Charming and beautiful, a perfect read for a beach day.

There are probably a lot more books I’ve read that have that perfect summer feel but these three are so magical and moving that they simply had to be spotlighted!

There are so many films out there that have some aspect of summer in them but I definitely think the best films to watch in the summer are animations. It’s a time to come together as a family and to sit and watch a good film that is heart-warming and charming all around. Three films I would suggest as great summer films are;

• Up (2009); This film will always be one of my absolute favourites. It is the only film that has ever made me cry within the first two minutes and yet manages to make me laugh throughout the rest of it. It is beautiful and inspiring and a brilliant film to watch after a glorious day in the sun.
• Wall-E (2008); There is something so touching about this film, don’t you think? Barely any words are spoken in this animation and yet it is such a moving and marvellous film that captured thousands of people’s hearts. I love Wall-E and Eve and think that this film would make for perfect watching in the summer months.
• Finding Nemo (2003); This has been my favourite animation since I first saw it. I could watch this film over and over again and never get bored. It is so dynamic and fun and amazing that it would be impossible not to like. This is a great summer watch as afterwards you can go to the aquarium nearest you and find nemo and dory and well, the whole gang just waiting for you. A brilliant film.

There are many more animation films out there that are perfect for the summer, but these three are ones I would easily watch over again while the sun shone perfectly in the sky.

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