It’s good to unplug in the summer.
Or is it?
On breezy, warm summer mornings, my wife and I will often take our coffee out on to the back deck to “read the paper.” It has the negative look of a person with their face in a device, but really we’re just collecting the day’s news in the same way we would have done with a big, thick weekend edition of the newspaper. We’re just reading it off a screen.
On long summer evenings, we’ll do the same with a beer or a glass of wine, this time “reading a book.” Again, no paper products are to be found as we page through the glow of our Kindle.
Mindlessly scrolling through Facebook? Like, share, repeating on Twitter on Instagram? Sure, that kind of device behaviour is not productive. But reading? Reading the “paper” and reading a “book?” Give your permission to plug in all day for that kind of activity.
This summer, give yourself license to plug in. It’s really no different than reading a paper. When you’ve got quiet time, read. When you’re out with friends, put the phone down and engage.
To make the goal of reading more this summer, I’m trying out the Kindle Paperwhite. According to a study conducted by OnePoll, 68% of men recognize the benefits of reading but don’t have the tools or time needed to enjoy it.
So, instead of a stack of books on the shelf, or in a suitcase, or under my arm, I have them all on a pocket sized device. There’s no screen glare (even at the beach), I can charge the Kindle up and have it last an entire vacation (not just a few hours), and there is a huge selection on the Kindle store (including 1M books < $4.99)
Here are some new reads I’m looking forward to as I work through this 2017 Summer Reading List For Dads:
- Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks by Mick Foley
- Number Two: More Short Tales from a Very Tall Man by Jay Onrait
- Moneyball: The Art Of Winning An Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
- Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight
- Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers by Timothy Ferris
- I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart
- Once Upon a Time in Russia: The Rise of the Oligarchs—A True Story of Ambition, Wealth, Betrayal, and Murder by Ben Mezrich
- The 37th Parallel: The Secret Truth Behind America’s UFO Highway by Ben Mezrich
To equip my fellow busy dads with the necessary tools to enjoy the benefits of reading, I’m giving you a chance to win a $150 Amazon.ca gift card. You can use it to pick up a Kindle Paperwhite for yourself and then load it with some books.
You really want to commit yourself to getting into reading this summer? Start a summer reading club with your kids and see who can read the most titles! Having this in your pocket will make it so much easier.
Terms and Conditions:
- Prize: a $150 Amazon.ca Gift Card
- Contest only open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec.
- Prize must be accepted as awarded. This prize is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for value or applied to previous purchases and is not redeemable for cash or equivalent. Other restrictions may apply.
- Please use personal social media accounts. Contest only accounts, or anonymous egg profile accounts will be removed from entry at the judges discretion.
- Contest winner will be notified by email on June 30, 2017. The prize will be shipped/emailed to the winner.
This post is sponsored by Amazon
I am a big fan of ‘I Know This Much Is True’.
My next book will be a James Patterson… possibly Cross The Line. Thanks for a great giveaway!
The next book on my summer reading list is Big Little Lies!
my next book is Orhan’s inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
I am curently reading The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore and then I will read United as One (also by Pittacus Lore). Generation One (Pittacus Lore again) comes out later this month so then I will read that one too.
I am reading I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi. I have nothing on my to read next list. My husband is an avid reader and he would put this gift card to good use buying all the Lee Child Reacher novels.
I’m reading “Get your sh*t together” and recommend it!
I’m currently reading “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons From the Crematory”. I’m looking forward to reading “Being a Dad Is Weird” by Ben Falcone next
I am reading Bread for Believers by Dr. Curtis Hutson; loving it!
I am reading Expert Secrets right now.
I am reading “the Spirit of St Louis”
I am currently reading The Presence Process and I plan on reading Alchemy of the Heart next.
I just finished reading “A Painted House” by John Grisham.I think my husband and I would love to read “The 37th Parallel: The Secret Truth Behind America’s UFO Highway by Ben Mezrich. These books sound really good!
I would recommend to others “A House in the Sky: A Memoir” by Amanda Lindhout. Hands down the best Canadian non-fiction book I’ve ever experienced. It’s a memoir so profound.
I am currently reading the The Best Kind of People and my next summer book is Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. I would recommend Wonder by RJ Palacio.
I am reading a whole bunch of books for kids right now for my baby boy who is 5.5 months old lol. So there’s a lot of Dr. Seuss and Berenstain Bears. But I am also reading The Alchemist right now Not sure what I will be reading next since most of my time is dedicated to my little man right now.
I’m not currently reading anything but on my to read list this summer is Stranger in the woods by Micahel Finkel.
1 – Which book are you reading right now? RPM for Verbal Children
2 – What is next on your summer reading list? Some Fantastic Place: My Life in and out of Squeeze by Christopher Difford
3 – Which book would you recommend everyone else check out this summer? Handmaid’s Tale if you haven’t already!
I’m just finishing up ‘Dragon Teeth’ by the late Michael Crichton. An excellent twist on the Jurassic Park series.
‘Roughneck’ by Jeff Lemire is next on my list – a graphic novel, but still looks to be a good read.
I’d recommend ‘The Magicians’ by Lev Grossman, if you like the Harry Potter series (and bonus, they have a show on SyFy)
I’m currently reading Katy Segal’s memoir, Grace Notes. She has a great writing voice and I’m really enjoying it.
The book i’d like to read is Caitlin Jenner’s biography.
I’m currently reading Baby Sign Language.
My next book to read is The Beat of My Own Drum by Sheila E.
I recommend The Gifts of Imperfection Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown
On my summer reading list is ‘How To Be A Bawse’ by Lilly Singh!
I am currently reading the Seducing Sensei
I recommend “The Best Kind of People”. Very good book!
I am reading Kevin Hart.
I just started the Handmaids Tale. I just finished the Couple next door, I enjoyed it. I would recommend people give “Big Little Lies” a read.. it was a great book, and now I get to watch the show. win win. My next one I want to read is the Nest. These questions are great for me right now, i just got wayyyy back into reading 🙂
I am a little behind the times but I am reading The Girl on the Train.
The book I am currently reading is Carly’s Voice. My oldest daughter is autistic so this book really speaks to me and means a lot to me. Giving me a better insight into my daughter
I want to read Big Little Lies because I saw the show and loved it!
A book I am currently reading right now is called “An Amish Market”. It is a fiction book with 4 short novels in it.
I’m reading Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin – it’s giving me some ideas on making home life smoother!
Right now I’m reading Who do you love by jennifer weiner. Next up on my reading list is All Stories Are Love Stories by Elizabeth Percer. As far as recommendations go I’d say read The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. It was a good one that I read this past fall.
I recommend silverwing
I am reading Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell. (love her books!) Next I will read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I would recommend A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny.
I’m currently reading Lord of Shadows. Next up is Camino Island by JJohn Grisham. I highly recommend Seal of Honor.
The Hunger Games is next on your summer reading list.
I am reading Far From True by Linwood Barclay
I am currently reading Dragon Springs Road. Next, I will be reading Her Every Fear. I highly recommend The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane – thanks!
I am reading a book called Eleanor & Park it’s about two teens falling in love it’s a page Turner
1. Shift Work (Tie Domi)
2. That “moneyball” one you mentioned
3. Same book I always recommend: The Wealthy Barber
war and peace
I’m answering these questions for my hubby since he will get the GC to use to buy a Kindle!
1) The Brain That Changes Itself
2) 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
3) What Doesn’t Kill Us
I am reading “Undoctored” by William Davis right now.
I need to catch up on some new James Patterson books. Maybe Cross the Line.
I’m currently reading Patricia Cornwall – Predator!
I would recommend Gordon Korman’s books to everyone. Or maybe I only like them because i’m….childish?
I am reading Freakonomics right now! I love it
Right now i’m reading Neil Degrasse Tyson – Astrophysics for people in a hurry, and definitely recommend it!
I am reading Bloodline in the Sigma Force novels
Do your sons like to read? You should try the series Pendragon, very good, and quite a few books to keep them reading and intereted well past summer
My next book is going to be The Girl on the Train.
‘Rich People Problems’ by Kevin Kwan is next on my list
I would like to read – I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons, by Kevin Hart.
Currently too busy with work committments and school events for my son’s upcoming 8th grade completion to indulge in the delights of having uninterrupted reading time. Have started to peruse “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr will be on my summer’s list of solitude moments in my backyard. I would recommend “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman to your audience, great inspirational book.