5.25.2017

Ten Books for Summer Reading (five I would recommend, and five I am looking forward to!)

Like last year, Memorial Day weekend totally snuck up on me. It feels different here in the Pacific Northwest, because summer weather usually comes after Independence Day and our kids don't get out of school until late June. However we are having what looks like a week long stretch of summer weather right now and apparently I was on the ball with my recommendations last year at this time. So here we are again! 
These are my top five recommendations for summer reading (choosing from books I've read since last May), as well as five summer reads I hope to get around to in the next couple of months. I chose them based on their 'by the side of the pool/in your beach chair readability' - mostly good thrillers or fun dramas, perfect brain candy. (You can click on the Amazon ad for my affiliate link and the text links are to my previous reviews.)
Books I've read and would recommend for summer:

The Couple Next Door by Shari LaPena was un-put-down-able for me! This thriller about a couple who's baby goes missing while they are drinking with the couple next door gets a little ridiculous, and you have to suspend some disbelief, but it's a wild and satisfying ride.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. It's sort of a 'Sliding Doors' themed book as we see how the main character's life unfolds in two different realities, had she made different choices. This was a favorite of mine from last summer!
The Dry by Jane Harper is a pretty recent read for me, but it's a perfect summer pick with it's hot, Australian farm country atmosphere - in addition to being a smart and suspenseful thriller.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon is the perfect YA summer read, with a little bit of heft. There are important themes to ponder on family and immigration, but it reads so easily and is so adorably romantic, like a good YA should be. 
Maybe this is cheating a little, because I read Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld more than a year ago, yet somehow left it off of last year's summer reading list. I'm rectifying that now and HIGHLY suggest this modern take on Pride and Prejudice by one of my favorite authors.

Last year I got around to three of the five summer books I was looking forward to, and I hope to better that ratio this time around. I think I'm at an advantage already, since the first two I've had from NetGalley for awhile now and DEFINITELY plan to read and write dedicated reviews.
Books I'm looking forward to reading at the pool:
Yep, another by Taylor Jenkins Reid! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo sounds like such a departure for her usual material: chick lit with some heft. This story of an actress in the 1950's sounds full of glamour, scandal and romance. Even though I'm just starting this one, it feels reminiscent of Beautiful Ruins - an all time favorite book, which is also a wonderful summer read that I recommended last year, too.

I quite literally squealed with joy when I saw a new novel by Gabrielle Zevin was being published this summer, and requested an ARC of Young Jane Young IMMEDIATELY. Her novel The Storied Life of AJ Fikry is another all time favorite and I'm waiting to savor this one a little closer to it's publication date in August.
If The Almost Sisters is anything close to Gods in Alabama (which would also be a great summer read: a little family drama, a little mystery and a little humor) I will be VERY pleased. 
I saw this on Modern Mrs Darcy as a hot summer release that people will be talking about and the description of rekindling first love, as well as the cover, made me add it to my summer list straightaway. 
A new David Sedaris! I have been trying to listen to more audiobooks lately and none of them are living up to Sedaris' unparallelled comedic narration. I can't wait to listen to him tell stories from his personal diaries this summer as I watch the kids splash in the pool. 

For more summer reading lists, and there are SO MANY, check out the links I recommend below!
Buzzfeed Quiz
Elle
Make America Read Again
Modern Mrs Darcy 
Novel Visits
Sarah's Book Shelves

7 comments:

  1. I keep hearing about The Shark Club...first on a podcast a really long time ago, then again on MMD's Summer Reading Guide. I didn't include it on my Anticipated Summer Reads list, but am wondering if I should give it a shot.

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    1. That's how I feel about SO MANY books this summer - didn't include them because I like to keep it to 5/5, but hoping to fit in as many as possible :)

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  2. The Shark Club and Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo are both on my TBR! Maybe I'll finally try The Couple Next Door? I've heard it recommended so many places!

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    1. It's really a fun and crazy read, but not in an infuriating Behind Her Eyes kind of way!

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  3. I'm really looking forward to Young Jane Young, too. And now you and Sarah have me curious about The Shark Club. I'm going to have to check that one out. There are so many great books this summer. I hope I can manage to squeeze a bunch in. Thank you so much for including the link to my summer reading list. So nice!

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    1. I know, I feel like I need to read more in the summer, but I don't have more time - probably LESS!

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