I read this week that the Book People had commissioned a report that found one in five UK parents do not spend any time reading with their primary school age children, with 54% of parents spending less than one hour a week reading to their children aged 5-11. I love to read and have always encouraged both of my girls to lose themselves in the story (although my youngest can be a bit of a storyteller but that is a whole other story) so was a little saddened that reading seems to be dropping in priority.

I read at every opportunity, whether it is indulging in a paperback on a sun lounger on holiday with a cheeky cocktail in one hand or it is reading on my tablet in bed at night time, I can't imagine my girls growing up and not learning to love absorbing themselves in literature. 

Interestingly, researchers polled more than 3,000 people in a Travel Book Survey and found that three in four Brits (78%) prefer reading paperbacks on holiday over any other reading material such as magazines (7%), newspapers (4%), digital downloads or reading content online (4%).  

I rarely read printed media such as newspapers or magazines any more but the study conducted by Opodo.co.uk suggests a resurgence in the reading behaviour among ‘bookish-Brits’, despite the abolition of EU data roaming charges, which now makes it cheaper to download e-books as well as consuming digital content for less through electronic devices while travelling abroad.

Reading is ranked as Brits' third favourite holiday pastime according to new research by Opodo which comes only after relaxing on a beach and trying the local cuisine. For me the book doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece but I love a story that unfolds, a thriller that surprises and who doesn't love a bit of chic lit?

Apparently, this years top summer reads were .... 

1. Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult
2. I See You, Clare Mackintosh
3. Conclave, Robert Harris  
4. The Essex Serpent, Sarah Parry
5. This Must Be The Place, Maggie O’Farrell
6. The Gypsy Moth, Julia Fierro
7. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Arundhati Roy
8. Hunger, Roxanne Gay
9. H (a)ppy, Nicola Barker
10. Sour Heart, Jenny Zhang.

I have actually only read "I See You" which was brilliant but it reminded me of a list I wrote a couple of years ago about books that made a lasting impression on me. Here is my list:

1. My Husbands Secret - Liane Moriaty
2. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
3. Sleepers - Lorenzo Carcaterra
4. The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
5. P.S I love you - Cecilia Ahearn
6. My Sisters Keeper - Jodi Picoult 
7. Forever - Judy Blume
8. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
9. Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen
10. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown