Summer Reading

Even though I’ve long been out of school, which means that summer does not bring any change to my daily routine and therefore does not allow any extra time for reading (boo), I still can’t help but feel that I need a stack of new reads to devour in the warmer months…preferably in Central Park with a box of macarons at my side. I love how once summer approaches, the Internet explodes with articles about everything you must read this summer, and all the best beach reads. I think everyone can agree it’s the perfect time to relax and kick back with a stack of reading material, whether it’s on a hammock, poolside, or in the park. Here are a few books that I’m looking forward to diving into once I finish the (enjoyable) behemoth that is the first Game of Thrones book:

The Fault in Our Stars: I’m sure I’m not the only one planning to read The Fault in Our Stars this summer! Pretty sure it’s been on the bestseller list forever. I recently saw the movie and since it wasn’t quite depressing enough, I plan to depress myself even further by reading the book. I’m kidding! It was obviously sad (as evidenced by the fact that pretty much every single person in the theater was sniffling at a certain point…which thank goodness, otherwise I might’ve been embarrassed that I was pretty much on the verge of sobbing), but it’s also a beautiful story. I definitely would recommend the movie – the two stars, Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley, are incredibly talented. For two young actors to pull off such heavy emotional material and make it feel so real/not at all sappy was seriously impressive. This kind of designed-to-make-you-cry stuff is typically something that I hate and don’t feel the emotions in, so the fact that these two actors really made me feel it says a lot about their talent, and, I think, the quality of the source material. Either that or I’m just getting sappy in my old age, who knows.
The Book of You: Really excited for this one, since I love thrillers. After reading Alyssa’s review, I have high hopes for this one, about a young woman keeping track of the movements of a man who is creepily obsessed with her. 
The Vacationers: This just looks like summer, doesn’t it? I guess I’m falling victim to marketing! However, this novel about a family’s two week trip to Spain and all of the drama that unfolds along the way sounds like the perfect light read for a sunny day in the park (and the perfect way to take an imaginary trip to Mallorca!). 
Delancey: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage is the second memoir-mixed-with-recipes from Molly Wizenberg, and since I loved her first book, I’m definitely interested in checking this one out. In Delancey, she chronicles the experience of opening a brick-oven style pizzeria in Brooklyn with her husband, and the effects it has on their young marriage. 
Bittersweet: Author Miranda Beverly-Whittemore characterizes this book as a “literary beach read,” which is about as perfect a description of what I want to read in the summer as you can get. In Bittersweet, a scholarship student at a prestigious East Coast college goes to spend the summer at her wealthy new friend’s lake house in Vermont, and there learns that dark secrets lie beneath the family’s seemingly perfect, preppy facade. I’m hoping for a suspenseful page-turner!
We Were Liars is a YA book that takes place on a private island off of Cape Cod, where the main character, Cadence, and her family spend their summers. Cadence is trying to piece together her memories of what happened one particular summer when she suffered a mysterious accident there. This sounds like another compelling, mysterious story about a blue-blood family who has something to hide. 
The Art of Fielding: Most people have probably already read this one, and I always hear about how good it is! A boys version of Prep, perhaps (I hope)?
In With the Old is a book I stumbled upon in Barnes and Noble and came close to purchasing (not sure why I didn’t). It’s a really cool coffee table book that offers a brief education and history on iconic interior design items/elements, along with adorable illustrations. It’s like an A-Z encyclopedia of design, and it seems really informative and interesting! 
Have any of you read any of these, or plan to? I’d love to hear what you’re looking forward to reading this summer!

Leave a Comment

  1. Are you watching GOT while reading it? I'm trying to keep in pace, but there are so many differences in the book that I'm finding myself confused.

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
    • I'm already all caught up on the show, and just started the first book. I'm finding the first book to be identical to the show so far, but I know that as the show progresses they veered from the books in various ways. So far I think it was helpful to watch the show first so that I know all of the characters and how they relate…otherwise I think I'd be very confused!

      Published 6.18.14 · Reply
  2. Jen wrote:

    Great post! I'm always looking for more books to read. Can't wait to check these out.

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
  3. Jen wrote:

    I'm a huge GOT fan and I'm thinking about picking up the book series this summer as well. Adding all of these books to my "to read" list on goodreads, as well as the others you recommend to me 😉

    Would love to hear your thoughts on this list when you're done reading them!

    Jen
    http://www.comfortably-chic.com

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
  4. Alyssa wrote:

    You're going to love The Art of Fielding, The Vacationers AND The Book of You–you have a few good months of reading coming your way 🙂

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
    • I definitely do, very excited. Looking forward to your next book post as well, I'm finding them very inspiring!

      Published 6.19.14 · Reply
  5. The Book of You sounds very interesting! I have been having a hard time getting into reading since I graduated college, but I would love to check it out, along with The Divorce Papers!

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
    • I was looking at The Divorce Papers in the bookstore the other day, it looked very intriguing!

      Published 6.19.14 · Reply
  6. Everyone is talking about the vacationeers! can't wait to read it.

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
  7. The Vacationers sounds like a good summer read. I've been looking for some new books for this summer.

    Ashley
    All That Glitters

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
  8. Alex wrote:

    The Vacationers is on my list as well! Good luck with GoT, it can be overwhelming at times but soooo worth it. Books 3 & 5 are my fav!
    -Alex
    http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com

    Published 6.18.14 · Reply
    • I can't wait until I get to those! I'm liking the first one so far 🙂

      Published 6.19.14 · Reply
  9. Anonymous wrote:

    The Art of Fielding is great. I think you will really like it. It reminded me a little of Jeffrey Eugenides' book.
    Thanks also to Alyssa for grouping those other titles in with Fielding.
    Paddy, Brisbane.

    Published 6.19.14 · Reply