Best summer reads 2015 - win £500 of books!

Each season has something to love and in the summer for me it has to be the light, it's like a gift every year and it makes me happy.

My flippant answer as someone who lives in Scotland is that the rain is a bit warmer in summer! But I do love that summer is more relaxed, kids are on holiday from school and we get to spend more time together. Even going to work feels more relaxed as the drive is quieter and quicker with no school traffic. And longer, light nights to sit in the garden with a book if the warmer rain stays off!

Life seems to be more relaxed in summer, people are more friendly and more happy. Nature is at its best so you appreciate spending time in your garden and being grateful for what's around you.

I love the long Summer evenings just perfect for dinner in the garden or a stoll along the prom by the sea

Suffering from osteoarthritis I love the warm sunny days because I can go out in my electric wheelchair with my wife on picnics or to listen to lovely brass bands in beautiful Abington Park.

My favourite thing about Summer is being able to walk the dog without lots of layers and waterproofs on, it makes it really enjoyable instead of a chore!

I was tempted to say having a picnic with grandchildren before their cricket practice but although I do enjoy it there is something better.
Long light evenings in the garden when the heat of the day is cooling- a large glass of wine ( or 3) & reading a good book lying on a sunbed until it just gets too dark to see anymore. Pure indulgence & the smell of the flowers & the peace & quiet is perfect. The longest day is not far off now & the weather is warm so hopefully tonight!!

When the sun comes out, it reminds of all the times I have been in hot places; living and working in Athens, escaping to unspoilt islands at the weekends...the heat of Istanbul and the cool wind blowing from the Bosphorus...the warmth of sitting outside a ramshackle house in France. And now England - wishing there would be rain for my allotment!

the joy of growing plants and garden centre trips rendering flower treas ures for more enjoyable gardening and then relaxing in amongst the glory of colours and fragrance

I love when it is warm enough to be able to just sit out in the garden. Being able to watch the birds, the butterflies and the insects and listen to all the sounds of summer. Even better if the sun is out

Summer is for indulging the grandchildren, reading, making, dressing up and acting. Then once they go home it's me time curled up with a good book,a cup of coffee and perhaps a chocolate! Heaven!

An amazing selection! The best thing about Summer is sitting on the chair my husband made me, next to the pond, cat on my lap, sun dappling through the ash tree, voraciously reading these books.

Wandering through a stream barefoot with the kiddies and their nets catching little things and the cool summer breeze blowing through my skirt.

Sadly, as I have got older, I cannot tolerate the heat.
BUT luckily I live at the coast where there is usually a breeze plus I look after my two youngest granddaughters. There is nothing better, than taking off to the beach to splash in and out of the sea and build holes and castles on the sand. I am a big kid too - and I get soaked! Great times and memories.
I also enjoy walking my dog on the beach or cliffs - where they are allowed in summer.
And by the evening, I am exhausted, and there is nothing better than to sit in the garden with a good book and unwind ready for a good night's sleep in bed.
I love to be in the fresh air

I love picnics in the park and seeing lots of happy people everywhere. Summer lifts moods and makes people smile.

My favourite thing about summer is when the children are at home. No timetables - can spend all day in your PJs. Best encapsulated by a picture of my 10 year old on the swing in bright sun, bare toes, still in pyjamas. Long lunches with friends and their families, picnics, treasure hunts, games on the beach. Anything is possible.

Sitting on the patio, with a sf book in one hand, a gin & tonic in the other hand, sunglasses Straw hat.....Eden

I work as a school librarian, I love the early part of summer when we can open the library doors and take some of the books outside, We put mats and bean bags out onto the grass and the children can read in the sunshine for half an hour at lunchtime. Sometimes I will read aloud to them from a favourite book, I love the late summer too when school has broken up and I can sit in the garden with my book ( I save a few up especially for summer) during hazy afternoons, the only sound is that of the birds and the waterfall on the fish pond. It is so relaxing.

Two weeks spent sitting watching Wimbledon on the television.

Planning where to go and what to read in my caravan during the long lazy days of Summer.

My favourite thing about Summer are the lighter nights and the increased chance of spending time with family and friends all feeling slightly more relaxed.I also enjoy seeing and hearing the returning Swallows

Making daisy chains, bare feet in the streams, picnics and time to stand and stare. That feeling of being Mother Hen when the children and grandchildren come around. Cluck cluck.

Just about everything, especially in my garden: the fruits, flowers, birds and wildlife all bathed in warm sunshine. Bliss.

Glass of cold white wine in the garden on a warm, light evening!

There is something so wonderful about sitting in the garden reading a good book. It's what I always imagined retirement would be like.