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Favorite Books & The Front Porch

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I love a memoir. Right before Steevenson came home, they were all I wanted to read. Lately though, I’ve been on a fiction kick and it has been so good for my busy brain to get lost in that way for a while each day.

“Moments later, they were bumping along the narrow crushed-shell roadway. Brooke poked her head halfway out the open window, marveling at the scenery. Gnarled, moss-draped live oaks on both sides of the road met in the middle to form a dense, nearly impenetrable canopy of green overhead. Thick stands of palmetto, swamp myrtle, pines, and cedars were festooned with blossoming jasmine, whose heavy scent perfumed the air. As they rounded a bend in the road, she spotted a pair of blue herons intent on fishing for their lunch in a shallow ditch. Another turn revealed an expanse of marsh where patches of sun-bleached driftwood and cypress knees were host to dozens of large, brown nesting birds.”

That’s an excerpt from Mary Kay Andrews’ High Tide Club, which I could hardly put down last week.

It’s been a while since I last saw “Mary Kay” (her real name is Kathy) but I’m dying to ask her about her character-connecting process. I’m SO intrigued after reading Summer Rental and this latest book! I picture her drawing out something that looks like a family tree that illustrates how everyone ties together, but she sure has a gift, so I’d love to hear more about how it works from her!

When it’s not too hot and humid, my favorite spot to read is on our front porch.

We’ve been playing lots of checkers out there lately too. I still haven’t won, but boy do I have fun trying- ha!

My mom gave us the cute little stools for our (June) birthdays. Here’s a link in case you’ve been on the look out for something similar:

I’m re-reading The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks before my next book comes in the mail. It’s probably been ten years or so since I read it the first time, but I’m already halfway through and excited to experience how it ends again.

After that, Fried Green Tomatoes. The book, not the dish. Although we might have to enjoy some of those on the front porch this summer too. 🙂

Happy weekend!

Layla

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Comments

  2. Terri

    Love a good read…. get comfy and get lost in a great story !!! Porch looks wonderful !!

  4. Angelina White

    This makes me want to find a good book and comfy spot to read it in. I haven’t read a book in so long, I’ve started some but never got around to finishing them maybe it’s what I need though to help me relax. Thanks for sharing, I’ve also always wondered how an author comes up with all the characters and connections.

  5. Terri

    Hi Layla!! Check out Rachel Hauck & Colleen Coble….. great books!!! So many to choose from… these two authors really know how to tell a story…..

    • Layla

      Thanks, Sylvia!

      Oh, but I didn’t click that link because I noticed in the name what it would lead to and I don’t feel like being nauseous today. 😉

  7. Wendy

    Hi Layla

    Have you thought of starting a ‘little library’ with your books when you are finished reading them?

    Wendy

    Looks like I am in Canada – I am actually in Australia.

  9. Ann in TN

    I just finished Mary Kay Andrews’ new book. I love her books, but this one took me a little while to get into.

    An author I would suggest is Kristin Hannah. She writes some great books.

  10. Sheila

    My employers wife is Mary Kay’s dentist!! She put her in a book..she pages Dr. Katz while in the hospital..Its the housekeepers series she wrote!

  12. Cathy

    I sit out on my dock watching the water and reading. My two favorite things to do. Loved “the wedding”, never saw it coming. Enjoy your sweet porch

  13. Kathleen

    Loved ” High Tide Club”, such a great read ! Mary Kay’s books inspired me to travel to Tybee several years ago !

  14. Jen

    Just finished reading Karen Kingsbury’s To The Moon and Back, such a great read!!

  15. Cbarnes

    If you haven’t read Jan Karons Mitford series you will absolutely love them!!! Must be read in order to fully enjoy!!! I’ve read all 14 4 times!!!!