Book 9 The Summer of Lies by Louise Douglas

No victim, said Mila, should blame themselves. 

For our ninth book of the year I recommend The Summer of Lies by Louise Douglas. Mila is called in once again to help Ceci and Carter with a new case - an apparent kidnapping. Their progress is hampered by the wild fires raging under the summer heat (ring a bell?) and unanswered questions about Mila's half-sister's tragic death continue to trouble and haunt her. Here is the worksheet. 

Book 8 2024 No 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Keer

The war showed the men what we could do, and then they returned from foreign fields and we were relegated back to the kitchen, but now that Pandora's box has been opened, not everything will fit back inside. 

For our eighth book of the year I recommend No 23 Burlington Square by Jenni Deer. Despite the examples of domestic abuse depicted in the storylines, this is an uplifting book about the strength and endurance of people struggling to find their place in the world and discovering how to belong in their own stories. Here is the worksheet. 

Book 7 2024 The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

An angry man was dominant. An angry woman, on the other hand, must have lost her grip on sanity. 

For our seventh book of the year I recommend The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. Despite the examples of domestic abuse depicted in the storylines, this is an uplifting book about the strength and endurance of people struggling to find their place in the world and discovering how to belong in their own stories. Here is the worksheet. 

Book 6 2024 The Shell House Detectives by Emylia Hall

'Is it alright to bring the dog in?' asks Ally, tentatively. Her face is small, pale, worried. 

'I prefer dogs to some people.' Saffron grins brightening at the sight of the little red-furred mongrel. 'Does he want a biscuit?'  

For our sixth book of the year I recommend The Shell House Detectives by Emylia Hall. This is a really engaging mystery story with characters and a plot that are so intriguing you could read the book in two sittings, which is exactly what I did! Here is the worksheet.

8 NA C2 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun. (Randy Pausch)

Grammar	Family shots
Language Function	Holiday complaint
Listening	Australian visas + audio
Reading	Gamification
Speaking	The travel bug
Vocabulary	Great expectations
Writing	Close to nature

7 NA C1 2 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. (Sam Keen)

Grammar	Television
Language Function	Evaluating
Listening	Reality shows + audio
Reading	Reality TV
Speaking	Planning a trip
Vocabulary	Travelling
Writing	TV shows

 

6 NA C1 1 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

Aaah, summer - that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It's a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practise swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends. (Darell Hammond)

Grammar	Reporting verbs
Language Function	Explaining
Listening	Holidays + audio
Reading	A letter of protest
Speaking	Silent retreat
Vocabulary	Television
Writing	Leisure time

5 NI B2 2 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

The summer night is like a perfection of thought . (Wallace Stevens). 

Grammar	The Longest Day
Language Function	Relating Past Events
Listening	Singapore + audio
Reading	Summer 2021
Speaking	On the move
Vocabulary	Driving
Writing	A complaint

4 NI B2 1 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

Summer break: the time when parents realise teachers are grossly underpaid. (Unknown)

Grammar	Sentence transfer
Language Function	Making arrangements
Listening	Flying + audio
Reading	Fun in Spain
Speaking	Travelling
Vocabulary	Holidays
Writing	A letter

3 NI B1 Topic 12 Free Time & the Summer

Do what we can, summer will have its flies. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Grammar	Say & tell
Language Function	Reporting
Listening	Bad service + audio
Reading	Travelling by train
Speaking	Travelling
Vocabulary	Travelling by plane
Writing	An interesting trip

2 NB 2 Topic 12 Home or Away

I love holidays. It's such a wonderful time for the whole family to be together and not have to worry about schedules and that kind of thing.  (Toni Collette)

Grammar	For & since
Language Function	Describing actions
Listening	Travel complaint + audio
Reading	A trip to England
Speaking	Summer holiday
Vocabulary	In the kitchen
Writing	Staycation