Loulou's views

Disclaimer: I received products for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and the page may contain affiliate links.  When I was pregnant with my first-born son, I started shopping for children's books to fill the bookshelves in his room. I fell in love with reading when I was in the fourth grade, and have been an avid reader every since–I always have a couple of books on the go. I wanted to instill a love of reading in my children from an early age, and thoroughly enjoyed shopping for the books I hoped my children would enjoy. Reading books became an important part of our daily ritual, and my children continue to enjoy reading now that they're older. My boys love reading the National Geographic Kids Weird But True! books, because these books provide a wealth of information and they're fun and easy to read. They're great books to travel with, and perfect to keep around the house for guests t...

If you haven't  already  planned your summer vacation yet, it's time to start. Vacations and book go hand in hand for me, so I’ve rounded up some great places to visit and paired them with some great books set in each location to make your vacation even more memorable, and I chatted about it on  CTV Morning Live.  New York City is always a good place to visit, no matter  the  season—and if that's where you've headed—whether by car or plane—you'll want to get reading. Here are the  perfect  books to read while you're in the Big Apple:  The Great Gatsby: This classic Jazz Age novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is such a great book. I've read it several times and I love it. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn:  This beautiful classic by Betty Smith will take you back in time in NYC about a family and their lives in Brooklyn from 1902-1919.  Both these books will make your trip to NYC even more special and while you’re in NYC,...

It's almost time for the Oscars, and I can't wait! I'm looking forward to seeing my favourite celebrities on the red carpet, and I'm excited to see who will win Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Picture. If you're like me and must read the book before you see the movie, you're in luck because this year, the number of Oscar nominated books is higher than usual, which means you still have time to read these great books turned Oscar nominated films before February 28th. I was on CTV Ottawa Morning Live today chatting about the Oscars and which books-turned-movie have been given an Oscar nod. A very special thank you to Chapters-Indigo for always having the books I need for my segments and for always keeping me reading at home. If you're looking to pick up any of these great Oscar nominated books, head to Chapters-Indigo. Best Picture:  The Revenant: This novel by Michael Punke has been nominated for Best Picture and Leonardo DiCaprio is ...

Here are three things I love: traveling, reading, and shopping. I need to have at least three or four books on my night table waiting to be read when I'm in the middle of a book, knowing it'll take me a day or two to get over the last book I've read. (I just finished reading Brooklyn, and oh, my God—it was amazing. Now I have to see the movie before the Oscars!) I was on Daytime Ottawa today talking about the hottest books to read this winter. If you've been searching for your next great read, I've got a list for you! Valentine's Day Books To Love: Chasers of the Light—Poems from the Typewriter Series: This great collection of beautiful love poems is written by author Tyler Knott Greyson. Another great book by Tyler Knott Greyson /All The Words Are Yours. Both books make great books to give and to receive this month. Truly beautiful and inspirational. You can read from the author on Instagram. Me Before You: This is a touching, unexpected lo...

Summer is here, and I'm excited about going back to Greece with my family. Despite the Greek economic instability, the sea, the mountains, the way of life, and the beauty of Greece is calling my name. And I desperately need a vacation.  While relaxing on the beach,  I'm looking forward to catching up on all the books I want to read. What are my picks for the best books to read this summer? There are so many great books you should read! I shared my picks with The Ottawa Citizen , and on CTV Ottawa Morning Live, too. Here are my picks for the best books to read this summer:  The Girl On The Train , Paula Hawkins : This is a great summer read, and a book you won't be able to put down. It's a page-turner for sure; a murder-mystery that will leave you wondering. The main character, Rachel, is searching for meaning in her life while trying to piece together clues that will help her solve a murder. If you start this book on the plane, you'll be finished b...

There is something so amazing about sitting down with a new book, and I'm very thankful that I've been given the chance to review books for Penguin Canada . I've been with a book in my hands since I was 12 years old, and that's one thing that's never changed about me—my love for reading and discovering new books to love. I was asked to review the new erotic thriller, Claudine, written by Barbara Palmer. At first I was apprehensive about reviewing another erotic book, because I was very unimpressed with Fifty Shades Of Grey. I found that book dull, uninteresting, and not sexy at all—never mind all the grammar mistakes that kept me cringing. Also, yawn. Claudine falls under the erotic fiction category, but it's also a thriller—so not only will you instantly get lost in the erotic and sexy words and scenes of the book, you'll also be left on the edge of your seat the entire time. Claudine is not your typical erotic romance; it was written by a bests...

The first novel I read was Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing  by Judy Blume. My mom picked it up for me at the school book fair. I didn't put that book down until I was finished reading—two days later.  Every since I was a child, I've had a love affair with books and reading, even though for a few years the only books I read were Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High , and The Baby-Sitters Club . (I think I'm a cross between Stacey, Claudia, and Mary-Anne.) Reading is a passion of mine, and reading is why I never get bored. There is always something to read, and I love getting lost in the story. In many pictures you'll find of me from summer vacations, you'll see me smiling, with a book in hand. Books came everywhere with me.  Thanks to Penguin Canada , I have a lot of great books to read this summer, and I'm so glad. I'll be on a very long flight soon, heading to Greece with my family, and I know reading will help pass the time on the long flight. I l...

As a mom of two boys, I do my best every day to make sure my children are eating well and staying active. Their health and well-being is my number one priority. On occasion, I take my boys to McDonald's for a treat, because every once in a while, a Happy Meal is totally okay with me. (Especially since there are healthier options like apple slices and yogurt.) Here is some good news I'm happy to share with you about McDonald's: right now, Happy Meals will be coming with a new softcover book, until November 14th. After this, a new digital book will be released every month, available using the McPlay App. The books can also be found on HappyMeal.com. I love seeing my boys read, and love stocking up on new books for them and filling their home library. The four books that can be found in Happy Meals right now are: The Goat Who Ate Everything: This softcover book is about a goat who has a big appetite and struggles to eat smart. But when he does, he feels great and bec...