Ever since I was a kid I’ve been a reader. My summer reading list would consist of any book that I could get a-hold of. My mom used to take me to the library during the summer, I would check out 7 books at a time, read one a day, and return them the following week to repeat the process. All the books on my bookshelf (including the entire Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden series which I still have) were read over 10 times each over the years. If I didn’t have a new book in hand I would reach for one of my previous favorites.
Once I had kids though it all kind of came to a halt. Something about sleep being more important than reading till 3am seemed to win out. But, once the kids got a little older, the reading started again and I was able to join a book club. My book club has been meeting regularly for the past 10 years or so. I can’t believe it has been that long!
It’s sad to say, but when I start a new book everything else stops. Dishes don’t get done, laundry sits for ages, kids barely get fed and I definitely don’t get enough sleep. Luckily I can get through a book in a few days so life can get back to normal life relatively quick but because of all of that I’ve had to really pick and choose when I read a book. That is why I’m so excited about summer!! With summer comes lazy hours at the beach, weekend camping trips with lots of down time. And this summer I’ll be stuck on a plane twice for 25+ hours. So, I need lots and lots of books to read! Here are some of the books I’m really excited to read this summer. Some are new, and some are books I have read but were so good, I can’t wait to read them again.
The Paris Wife is a book that I read a couple years ago. I loved it so much, I’m excited to go back to 1920’s Paris again. This book is a historical fiction written about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley. It’s based off of their love letters to each other through the courtship and marriage. Taking place in 1920’s Paris, the life that these artists lived seems so fascinating and creative and makes this book a great summer read. I can’t wait to go back to Paris and actually visit some of the places that were spoken of in this book.
All the Light We Cannot See is a new one for me this summer. Even though I love my share of quick, light, young adult novels I also love books with a thought provoking story line. This book takes place in Europe during World War II. About a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.
The Glass Castle Because this book is coming out as a movie in the fall (have you seen the trailer!), I’ve put it on my must re-read summer list. One of my favorite books by far, it’s a memoir of a women raised by an eccentric couple that lived their lives like nomads. While the children end up prospering, the parents end up homeless. It’s such a great book on survival and determination and strong family bonds.
Nightingale This book was so good the first time around, I read it at lightening speed just to get through it and find out what happened. This time around I want to read it a bit slower and really remember each chapter. It’s a fascinating tale of two sister living through German occupied France during WWII. OMG, if you have not read this book, ADD IT TO YOUR MUST READ LIST RIGHT NOW!
Summer House With a name like Summer House, how could I not add it to my summer reading list?? It’s about a family’s summer reunion at their Rhode Island Beach house. And it involves secrets. And drama. And family. I mean, what’s not intriguing about that!
Summer Island Um, I’d like to go to a summer island. Like now. But since I can’t, I’ll read about it. This book seems to have a lighter more humorous story line than some of the other books on my list. It’s about a mother who abandons her daughter and about a daughter who is given the chance to get back at her mom. It’s sounds like a book that is going to be super intriguing to find out why the mom made the decisions she did, but also why the daughter needs to forgive her for her. I know, not really light and humorous, but the reviews say it is, so I’m going to believe it!!
Nightingale | The Paris Wife | Summer House | Summer Island | The Glass Castle | All the Light We Cannot See
Do you all have any great books that I should add to my list for the fall?
