To me, a summer read is something where the pages fly by without my having to make a special effort. Something I can read after a pre-lunch glass of rose and still follow!
The Idea of You 🥵 Everyone I know is talking about Miranda July’s new novel—my copy just arrived and I’ll start it this week! I am trying to decide which books to bring on my vacation: a mix of classic / newer book / audiobook (Barbra Streisand’s memoir?!)
These are brilliant recs, Kathleen! I didn't have any summer reads yet and just added them both to my cart after scanning the summaries. Thank you for this thread!
For me, summer means classics. So that's when I read the books on my TBR pile that are beloved historical manifestos. It's my time to put aside what's hip, hot, new, and submerge myself into the past. Still deciding on this year's classic...but I am leaning toward "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" especially after reading--and loving--Doerr's "All The Light We Cannot See."
I crave a family story with some romance, not historical, multiple POVS ok… last year I thought Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore was perfect. I’ll read some romance-romance too but that’s pretty all year round for me. Oh and if I can find a book that lots of family members will like (often a light thriller or fantasy, Mistborn hit this, Ready Player One, How to Murder Your Employer) that’s fun bc more than one of us will read. I like a summer memoir too… I have House of Kwan here, it looks juicy. And I’ll be trying the new Kevin Kwan too. (No relation!)
Honestly the one thing I absolutely won’t be reading will be anything with a political vibe—fiction or non-fic! Which is just proof that we all do our own thing.
Congratulations! After looking at the wide variety of summer reading guides published this week, I have been wondering this, too. For me, I am looking for something that feels really engrossing when I’m reading it— I don’t really want to put it down. But when I do (for a nap or to pay attention to a loved one or make a snack) I want it to be easy to pick up again. Not disturbing, likeable narrator who is worth spending time with, but not necessarily frothy— I don’t want to feel like I wasted my precious summer down time!
I think summer reads can be from most any genre but MUST be intensely engrossing from the first page if not the first line. The pacing and overall vibe has to grip you enough to deserve your distraction from whatever exceptional environs you're in and is able to always re-grab you in a moment as you flit from one activity or location to another. I didn't plan to make a "summer reads" specific post in my book rec newsletter but maybe I should...
For me, a summer read is anything I can read in the driveway in the late afternoon/early evening summer sun (with some kind of refreshing beverage in the lawn chair cupholder).
I think this summer I'm going to try to make progress on the pile of books I've bought or borrowed but been unable to read for bedtime reading, like *Psychoshop.*
As far as "summer vibes" go, a less well-known book that I like to recommend to my friends is *Chalice* by Robin McKinley. She writes delightful, mildly strange fantasy. This stand-alone novel has everything you want in a beach read--fire and heat (literal), bees, a dash of romance, politics, hazy dream sequences, a very interesting and feminine magic system, and a strong-willed, down-to-earth main character.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides. It's actually really good so far and feels very much like a summer read. Gorgeous, immersive. An isolated Greek island, the rich and beautiful and their hangers on and their murderous jealousies. Kind of perfect (but I'm only 33% in)
I’m all about seasonal! Whether it’s activities, music, food, or books. I LOVE switching gears. It makes the seasons more nostalgic for me. Life less mundane.
I am reading The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable. With Palm Beach as a main background and Lilly Pulitzer a frequent character, it is a perfect beach read!
Considering this is 2024, all my summer reading will be to better inform myself about the plight of democracy and what I might be do to preserve it....
I'm definitely in the "frothy and fun" camp! In the summer I especially love romance (with some substance) because sometimes you just need a happy ending. Excited to read Carley Fortune's latest, and Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan.
To me, a summer read is something where the pages fly by without my having to make a special effort. Something I can read after a pre-lunch glass of rose and still follow!
The Idea of You is soooo good. Hope you enjoyed it!
The Idea of You 🥵 Everyone I know is talking about Miranda July’s new novel—my copy just arrived and I’ll start it this week! I am trying to decide which books to bring on my vacation: a mix of classic / newer book / audiobook (Barbra Streisand’s memoir?!)
I love anything by Susie Finkbeiner. Light historical fiction.
These are brilliant recs, Kathleen! I didn't have any summer reads yet and just added them both to my cart after scanning the summaries. Thank you for this thread!
For me, summer means classics. So that's when I read the books on my TBR pile that are beloved historical manifestos. It's my time to put aside what's hip, hot, new, and submerge myself into the past. Still deciding on this year's classic...but I am leaning toward "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" especially after reading--and loving--Doerr's "All The Light We Cannot See."
I crave a family story with some romance, not historical, multiple POVS ok… last year I thought Summer Stage by Meg Mitchell Moore was perfect. I’ll read some romance-romance too but that’s pretty all year round for me. Oh and if I can find a book that lots of family members will like (often a light thriller or fantasy, Mistborn hit this, Ready Player One, How to Murder Your Employer) that’s fun bc more than one of us will read. I like a summer memoir too… I have House of Kwan here, it looks juicy. And I’ll be trying the new Kevin Kwan too. (No relation!)
Honestly the one thing I absolutely won’t be reading will be anything with a political vibe—fiction or non-fic! Which is just proof that we all do our own thing.
Congratulations! After looking at the wide variety of summer reading guides published this week, I have been wondering this, too. For me, I am looking for something that feels really engrossing when I’m reading it— I don’t really want to put it down. But when I do (for a nap or to pay attention to a loved one or make a snack) I want it to be easy to pick up again. Not disturbing, likeable narrator who is worth spending time with, but not necessarily frothy— I don’t want to feel like I wasted my precious summer down time!
I think summer reads can be from most any genre but MUST be intensely engrossing from the first page if not the first line. The pacing and overall vibe has to grip you enough to deserve your distraction from whatever exceptional environs you're in and is able to always re-grab you in a moment as you flit from one activity or location to another. I didn't plan to make a "summer reads" specific post in my book rec newsletter but maybe I should...
Yes, to all of this!
Exciting adventure.
For me, a summer read is anything I can read in the driveway in the late afternoon/early evening summer sun (with some kind of refreshing beverage in the lawn chair cupholder).
I think this summer I'm going to try to make progress on the pile of books I've bought or borrowed but been unable to read for bedtime reading, like *Psychoshop.*
As far as "summer vibes" go, a less well-known book that I like to recommend to my friends is *Chalice* by Robin McKinley. She writes delightful, mildly strange fantasy. This stand-alone novel has everything you want in a beach read--fire and heat (literal), bees, a dash of romance, politics, hazy dream sequences, a very interesting and feminine magic system, and a strong-willed, down-to-earth main character.
As many thrillers as I think I can read the entire summer on the porch.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides. It's actually really good so far and feels very much like a summer read. Gorgeous, immersive. An isolated Greek island, the rich and beautiful and their hangers on and their murderous jealousies. Kind of perfect (but I'm only 33% in)
Sold!
Oooh would welcome a discussion! I liked it but wished it stopped one chapter short of the end.
I’m still reading! Will pop back in when done and comment 🙂 But so far the atmosphere is exactly what I need in a summer read
I’m all about seasonal! Whether it’s activities, music, food, or books. I LOVE switching gears. It makes the seasons more nostalgic for me. Life less mundane.
I am reading The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable. With Palm Beach as a main background and Lilly Pulitzer a frequent character, it is a perfect beach read!
Considering this is 2024, all my summer reading will be to better inform myself about the plight of democracy and what I might be do to preserve it....
I'm definitely in the "frothy and fun" camp! In the summer I especially love romance (with some substance) because sometimes you just need a happy ending. Excited to read Carley Fortune's latest, and Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan.