My Summer 2019 Reading List
I’ve always been a reader. My parents raised me to see the value of living through words that aren’t my own. And they worked hard to make sure I always had access to as many books as I wanted - including supporting our local library and protesting when our small town wanted to cut funding to the abundant resources there in the name of keeping property taxes low.
Maybe it’s just me but I always looked forward to receiving my required summer reading list. Each year, on the last day of school, I came home with a list of books from which I had to choose 2-3 books. It’s the thing most kids hated most about summer but to me, it was one of the best parts (besides ice cream, water gun fights, and beach days).
Clutching my list, I’d head excitedly to the library with my mom on the first day of summer vacation. Because I wanted the pick of the litter! I wanted to get the best books from the list plus a few others just for fun. I constantly maxed out the 12 book limit at my library and proudly toted my books home; ready to spend the summer digging holes with Stanley, rumbling alongside Ponyboy, and drinking from the spring with the family Tuck.
At the beginning of this year, I dissected my book reading habits in this post here. In that post, I mentioned that I finished 6 books in July. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. I think there is something about summer that drives me to read more. Something about the sunshine and warm weather that draws me outside to curl up on a beach or lawn chair with a book and cold drink.
Although I am no longer required to read, here’s what I’m looking forward to reading this summer:
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah* : This books has all the makings of a tear-jerker, as all Kristin Hannah books do! The story of best friends growing up. Their choices, their growing pains, their loves and losses. It sounds similar to one of my all time favorite books, Summer Sisters by Judy Bloom*. Plus it’s been optioned for Netflix series. I’m into it. Bring on the tissues. Thanks mom, for gifting me your copy of this and of Summer Sisters. You are the biggest champion of my reading habits. Speaking of Summer Sisters…
Summer Sisters by Judy Bloom*: As I said, this is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. I’ve read it so many times but it’s been a few years since I last opened it up. My copy, given to me by mom, has disappeared somewhere between grad school and now. Time to re-invest. Someday, I hope to pass it out to my niece! If you have not read this book, you need to. It is all things growing up a women in America.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn*: Recommend to me by my sister, this book is part World War II fiction, part spy novel, part bad-ass lady bosses. I’m so there. It’s been on my hold list at the library for MONTHS. I’m hoping it will finally be my turn soon!
The Library Book by Susan Orlean*: In 1986, the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library caught fire destroying 1.1 millions books. Susan Orlean investigates what happened and what it means when books are lost.
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith*: This book was on my Books I Own But Haven’t Read Yet list…Still haven’t read it. But summer seems like a great time to get into a private eye detective novel.
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown*: Brene Brown is brilliant. She is kind. She is inspiring. Her words lift my soul and bring me to tears. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
A Gathering of Shadows by VE Schwab*: The second in a series that is magical, fantastical, and dark. It’s a grown up Harry Potter and the The Deathly Hallows - searching for magical objects that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the balance of the world.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz*: A teenage angst filled coming of age story. I picked this book up a while ago but haven’t gotten around to it. I’m excited to crack into this one. It has rave reviews.
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner*: Another story about girls growing up. Do we sense a theme? Something about summer makes me want to read stories about becoming a women. I think it’s a Judy Bloom thing.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren*: This one sounds like the absolute perfect summer read. When the bride and groom fall ill with food poisoning, the maid of honor and best man, sworn enemies, go on a honeymoon. It sounds full of silly, trope-y, sticky-sweet love. I’m into it.
What are you going to be reading this summer?
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