I have about 6 weeks of ‘vacation’ every summer – my school is on a weird schedule. I spend most of it taking short trips to visit friends and family. Long enough to enjoy everyone, organize their cabinets and clean out their refrigerator, then back to the cats. This week I am visiting one of my oldest friends – I think we’ve been good friends for 23 years now. She has three daughters who are 15, 12, and 2.

The 15-year-old is sporty without being an athlete if that makes any sense. She’s fairly easy to buy for, though, because she will (eventually) read almost anything…once she gets bored with minecraft. Here are the 15 year-old’s book presents:

The 12-year-old is a little bit more difficult to buy for than the 15-year-old. She has her own very definite opinions – she used to be into frills and bows but now is into stylish sunglasses and being cool. She’s also at a Taylor Swift concert with her Dad right now. I’m a little less certain of her books, but I’m hopeful they’ll appeal in a moment of boredom:

The two-year-old got my usual combination of:

Meanwhile, I am trying to finish this in between conversations with three vastly different girls and their Mom and Dad, and throwing toys for the dog, Benji, who seems tireless:

Which is what I had hoped to review today. Maybe next Monday?

Happy summer ‘vacation’ to all those who get one. And to those of you deep in the throes of Summer Reading – bless you and good luck!