Savoring Summer Saturdays {D.E.A.R.}

In my sons' school there is a part of their day designated for D.E.A.R.  ~  Drop Everything And Read.  Hearing about this program brought back good memories of silent reading time I enjoyed in elementary school.  One teacher even had a cardboard house in the back of the room where we could take turns reading.  It was heavenly to be so cozy in school, to have time to sit by the window, watch the snowflakes flit down and escape into my book.

Ruth Chew  is the first author I remember by name as my absolute favorite.  I still recall the hope I held inside as I wandered through the small school library, praying there would be a new Chew book I had not yet read.  Eventually I discovered the Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal and read through every 
one, dreaming of being just like the "good girl" Elizabeth someday.

Anyway, I love this idea of dropping everything and reading.  We are over half-way through the summer (and  the year!) and I have not yet read half the books I had imagined myself reading.  

So, as of this moment, I resolve to carve a little time out each day to D.E.A.R.  Dishes can wait, laundry can be folded later.  I cannot let another summery day go by without taking time to escape into the world of words.

If you don't have a book on your nightstand at the moment, here are some of my all-time favorites:

NONFICITON:
The Gift of An Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison which I wrote about here.

Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne which I wrote about here. 



FICTION:
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.  Morally questionable here and there, and there but un-put-downable and unforgettable.  (My Grandma read it!)

Into the Wilderness Series by Sara Donati.   Think Last of the Mohicans meets early New England life.  Beautifully written, rich in detail, lovely romance.

I hope you will also make time to drop everything and read this weekend.  Enjoy!