Blog 73: Popular Summer Reads

Hi there and welcome to another blog in another heat wave. That's right, I am waving at you while feeling hot at this very moment. Also, nobody said when, so I feel compelled to keep posting!

Guess what? It was International Cat Day recently, which, if you know me at all, you will realise it's something I celebrate with my four furry dudes: well, three dudes and one dudette.  Having cats since I was small has made me a little bit obsessed with them. But it isn't just because they look cute and say meow, though that is a big factor. But more because they are like female ninjas - beautiful but agile and kinda deadly. I mean these guys have skills! When I was a young girl, I used to imagine I was a cat. Just think how amazing we would be if we could do what they do!

Night vision: A reflective eye layer called the tapetum lucidum lets them see in light six times dimmer than what humans need.

Super hearing: They detect high-frequency noises and ultrasonic sounds far beyond human limits, locating distant prey easily. But ironically, ignore you shouting their name if they can’t be bothered.

Taste-smell organ: A special vomeronasal organ in the roof of their mouth lets them process scents and pheromones deeply.

Whisker radar: Whiskers act as precision sensors to measure gaps and feel shifts in airflow.

Righting reflex (not writing reflex, though that would be cool): An inner-ear balance system allows cats to twist their bodies mid-fall and land safely.

Incredible jumping: Powerful hind legs let them leap up to six times their body length in a single bound.

Extreme agility: Flexible spines and detached collarbones help them squeeze through tight spaces and climb smoothly. However, the idea of a human being able to detach their collarbone makes me feel slightly queasy.

Short bursts of speed: Certain cats can sprint up to 30 miles per hour over short distances. Especially in the early hours of the morning when you are trying to sleep.

Exceptional Balance: Flexible spines and tails act as counterweights for walking on narrow ledges.

Purring Vibrations: Low-frequency purrs are linked to tissue and bone regeneration as well as stress relief. So, if you feel relaxed when a cat is purring near you, then that would be why.

Now that I have happily nerded you out about my feline friends, let's get back to books. It is well and truly holiday season, so I have looked up popular summertime reads for you to either relax with on the beach, out and about, or at home if you are having a staycation.

First up, and because I feel I need to include cats, is: -

Non-Fiction

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen  ̶  a true, uplifting story of a homeless, recovering heroin addict in London whose life is completely transformed when he adopts an injured stray ginger cat. He goes from homeless to famous with the help of his newfound furry friend.

Modern Romance and Beach Reads

Funny Story by Emily Henry – A witty story about mismatched roommates in a small town. Daphne, a quiet children's librarian, and Miles, chaotic and laid-back, form a fake-dating plan to make their exes jealous.

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune – A nostalgic look at a childhood love affair and a fateful second chance. Persephone Fraser and Sam Florek explore first love, deep friendship, and a devastating past mistake that tore them apart over six teenage summers and one pivotal weekend in adulthood.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez – A comforting and emotional contemporary romance. Justin and Emma share a peculiar curse where every ex they date finds their soulmate immediately after breaking up with them.

Thrillers and Mystery

The Cut by Richard Armitage – A fast-paced psychological thriller filled with sudden twists. Ben Knott is forced to confront a dark childhood tragedy when a film crew arrives in his village. The movie's plot, in which his son takes the lead role, mirrors a murder from 30 years prior and awakens secrets of the past.

The Beach by Alex Garland – The ultimate classic backpacker survival adventure. Richard, a young English backpacker in Bangkok, receives a hand-drawn map to a secret, unspoiled island paradise from a disturbed traveller before they commit suicide.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid – A high-drama family story set during one explosive 1983 house party. Set over 24 hours, Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit, the children of legendary rock singer Mick Riva, host their annual end-of-summer party, which has chaotic consequences.

I do hope that you have some time to either get away or step away during the summer and take some time to grab a good book and enjoy the weather. Seeing the Halloween decorations waiting to be bought on the shop shelves reminds me just how fleeting our sunny days can be before we need to get out our big coats and jumpers again. There is so much surrounding us in our everyday life which can take over, so don’t forget to stop and just live in the moment. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

By the way, if you have any book recommendations, then please send them my way, and I will mention them in my next blog. Until then, stay cool, keep hydrated, and don’t forget to appreciate the little things. Oh, and edit your work.

Bye for now.