Hallelujah, summertime is here! Even though I work through the summer at my school, the season still brings a certain summery feeling, with a slower pace, less meetings, and fewer pressing deadlines. I guess I just get excited about the changing tides of every new season - I'm all about those fresh starts. 

Recently, I went to my school library before it closed for the summer and took out about a thousand books (okay, just six) to last me the next couple of months.  Here's what I have waiting for me this summer...

           

             

              

My Summer Reading List:

H is for Hawk - Helen Macdonald

Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese

Maine - J. Courtney Sullivan

Super Sad True Love Story - Gary Shteyngart

All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

The Road - Cormac McCarthy

Have you read any good books lately? I'd love to add to my list!

And in case you're hoping to add to your summer reading list, here are a few books I've read over the past few months that I highly recommend:

           

              

Still Alice - Lisa Genova

I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book was amazing. Yes, heart wrenching and at sometimes hard to read, especially if you've had family members suffer from Alzheimer's as I have. But although difficult, I loved connecting briefly to the experience of Alzheimer's through Genova's incredible writing. 

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

I'm just finishing this one up now, and it has me sucked in! It's a captivating, quick read. You'll love it if you enjoyed Gone Girl.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers - Katherine Boo

This one took me some time but the writing is incredibly beautiful - it takes you to another world.

Station Eleven - Emily St. John Mandel

If you're into dystopian novels as I seem to be lately, you will LOVE this one. I could not put it down. 

-------------

Jimmy and I are heading down the coast this weekend to enjoy some relaxing time off the grid in Cayucos. Here's to long summer nights, camping weekends, road trips, and diving into some summer reading!

Aloha Nui Loa (Kauai Part III)

Happy hump day! I'm having quite the full week. In my job, the start of the school year means rushing and meetings and long days and events. It's going to be a great but busy season. What will your fall look like?

But wait, it's not fall yet. Let's look back on summer a bit more. Here's another glimpse of this dreamy place for Wanderlust Wednesday. These ones are some of my faves. Kauai is so filled with color.

Enjoy your long weekend, everyone!

Hele Mei Hoohiwahiwa (Kauai Part II)

The longer I stretch out this Kauai photo-dump, the longer I can keep revisiting these memories and going back in time. So please forgive me as I force you to do that with me :). In my next post I'll share the fun details of where we stayed, ate, explored and played, but for now, some photos + captions will do.

What is sour sop??? Freaking delicious, that's what.

Just a light tap tap taparoo. 

A kayak ride under the prettiest tree. 

Our tour of the Napali Coast had to be our favorite part of the whole trip. 

Such outstanding beauty!! 

Fishing in a sea cave.

TURTLE!!!!!

These little cardinals are adorable.

Hanalei Bay captured our hearts for-ev-er.

A morning paddle.

A Hui Hou Kauai (Until we meet again)

Ah hello. Long time no see. I've been in Never Never Land for a while, taking a looong break from everything (except my partner in crime of course). It was wonderful! But I'm glad to be back, fully refreshed.

We were in Kauai, Hawaii (aka paradise), for two glorious weeks. Since then I've been on a week-long vacation hangover - my brain waking up slowly each day, my fingers feeling too jello-ey to type, my skin aching for warm waves and my tongue having daily cravings for poke and lau lau. Any tips on how to get (mentally) back to real life??

Well a photo share probably won't help matters, but I just can't help it. I might share some of the real camera pics later, we'll see (no promises until my Hawaiian brain wakes up thoroughly), but here are some iPhone captures::

Please, no trashum. 

POKE! 

So much plumeria. 

Polihale beach. 

Waimea Canyon

Kalalau lookout.

Aaaamazing breakfast bowl at Java Kai. 

Exploring Hanapepe. 

I saw all of my favorite sunsets. 

Michelada! 

Our absolute favorite lunch stop (we went 5 times): Hanalei Taro and Juice Co.

I hope you're all able to shut off for a week or two this summer as well - it's oh so good for the soul :).