One of the books I have on my list to read this summer is The Tiger's Wife by first time novelist Tea Obreht about the Balkan Wars. Have finished The Distant Hours which I really enjoyed. Now reading something quite lite-light- the Hannah Swenson mystery series by Joanna Fluke. No Goldy Shultz but still entertaining. Two other books I have put in the to be read pile are The Warmth of Other Suns and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Now that the last Harry Potter movie has been released I would like to look into the Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. I checked my local library and there are 56 holds for the first book! How is it I haven't heard of this series until now?

Have been spending more time at home and have been keeping track of a pair of hawks that have built a nest near our driveway. Having added to their family I find I have 3 hawks routinely hanging around our home. Took a couple of pictures when one of the 3 was on our deck.

Summer is definitely here. Hot and humid. Spent part of yesterday at the hospital getting examined after waking up with flu like symptoms and a bull's eye rash on my arm. Lyme disease. Not surprising as we are in the heart of tick country. So,I am on antibiotics for 3 weeks that make me photosensitive and possibly nauseous. OH well. Have been reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. Taken out of my local library and have kept is past its due date. I am enjoying it but I have found to read more slowly lately. The question is- if you are borrowing a book from the library and know that someone has requested it, should you keep it past its due date to finish it ( and pay the fine, which in my case actually goes to the library not the town coffers) or should you not finish it and return it on time?