When I think about a great summer read, I think about escape lit and page-turners I can just get lost in. Whether you’re curled up by the pool or swaying in your hammock, these book picks are sure to sweep you away.
Happy summer and happy reading!!
Scarlett has always dreamed of receiving an invitation to Caraval – a mysterious performance and game full of magic and illusion. Scarlett finally receives her wish, and is whisked away to Caraval along with her sister and a mysterious sailor. Upon arrival, Scarlett’s sister is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind- Legend. The only way to save her sister? Win the game. Five nights full of danger and magic in a world where you can never be sure what is real and what is an illusion.
I couldn’t put Caraval down – and can’t wait until Book #2 comes out!
Liane Moriarty knows how to write page-turners, and Big Little Lies (now an HBO mini-series) is no exception.
Madeline, Celeste, and Jane are three moms with secrets, struggles, and bonds that run deeper than they could imagine. Madeline is working through co-parenting while dealing with a teenager who seems to prefer her ex. Celeste is stuck in an abusive marriage – dealing with increasingly rambunctious twin boys. Jane is a single parent, who moved to the small coastal town hoping to meet and confront her son’s father- a one-night-stand turned horribly wrong.
On the night of the school parent’s meeting, someone ends up dead – and no one is talking. Who was murdered? Who did it? What’s really going on in the small town by the sea?
Though centered around some fairly dark subject matter, you’ll find yourself flying through the pages – eager to get to the bottom of the story.
I wept while reading Me Before You and again while reading Me After You, so I was eager to pick up another book by JoJo Moyes. This time, instead of crying – I was swept up in a sweet little feel-good story. This is the perfect “easy read.”
A single mom, along with her bullied stepson and uber-smart daughter, find themselves on the world’s most unconventional road-trip with an obnoxious millionaire who reluctantly steps in to save the day.
Another captivating book with a fascinating premise. I loved this one. (And now a movie!)
Mae gets a job working for the Circle. It’s a huge internet company that links all of your online accounts together -creating your online identity. Her work begins by taking calls – answering questions, doing customer service related tasks, etc. Then, her role at the Circle becomes much more public and controversial, as she (and her powerful and mysterious bosses) cross the line between privacy and transparency.
This one is thought-provoking as so many people and companies are working to build their online presence and more of our lives are being lived online.
I read A LOT of YA Dystopian books. (Yes, I’m that thirty-something getting weird looks for being in the “Teen Reading” section at the library.) What I enjoyed about this one is the uniqueness of the story. I’ve read books set in the future. I’ve read books that deal with aliens, space, and war. But, The Knife of Never Letting Go grabs you with the premise and keeps you wondering, “What in the heck is going on?” as you read.
Todd grew up in Prentisstown – a place with only men, where you can hear everyone’s thoughts – all the time. Todd is used to the “Noise.” When he stumbles upon “Quiet” – he knows something is terribly wrong. All of a sudden everything he’s been told is about to be flipped upside down – and he finds himself running for his life and for the truth.
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
On Allan’s 100th birthday, he decides to make a quick getaway out the window of his nursing home. In his attempt to escape his impending birthday party, he manages to stumble upon a suitcase full of drug money, criminals, murders, and police who can’t seem to get their act together. His adventure is remarkable, crazy, and memorable. A great choice if you’re looking for something quirky and different.
A good friend just gifted me this book and it’s what I’ll be diving into this summer! I’m a sucker for great historical fiction, and particularly love the WW2 era.
Sisters Vianne and Isabelle have always been close. When Isabelle’s husband is sent off to war, Vianne moves to be with her sister. As the war continues, the sisters have their strength and the strength of their relationship tested. Facing dangerous circumstances and frightening situations, each sister will find “her brave.”
This book comes incredibly highly recommended by nearly everyone who has read it.
This is another book that comes very highly recommended by nearly all who have read it. This is a heart-warming story – but wonderfully different in that the cast of characters is a pleasant change-up. (You can only read so many books about singles looking for love, angsty teenagers, and soldiers.) 😉
Ove is a cranky old man – set in his ways. When a family with two young daughters move next door, what happens results in an unexpected friendship. Moving and sweet.
I liked The Nightingale and A Man Called Ov.
I love reading! I will totally check out your recommendations 🙂