Summer reading lists growing up were the worst. I absolutely loathed it. I thought the lists were bad in middle and even elementary school, but they paled in comparison to the high school lists. Every single one of my classes had books assigned, including math classes, it was ridiculous. And, frankly, the books were never as enjoyable as the books we read during the year for some reason. I used to cram the reading into the last two weeks of summer (because we had tests on the first day of school and the books had to be freshly read for a good grade), which really ended summer vacations on a sour note.
Did you/do you feel the same way?
I’ve put together a fun summer reading list. These are all books I’ve personally read and think would make for light and enjoyable summer reading. Great for planes, long afternoons at the park or beach, and long nights when you just don’t want to fall asleep yet.
I’ve written about most of these books already, but I just finished Big Little Lies. Arguably one of the best books I’ve read this year. Entertaining, funny, a great plot. The author balanced big topics with a quippy tone that made it a very light, enjoyable read even if the actual plot was a little dark. I also loved that it was set in Australia. I read a lot of it with an accent in my head, ha! It’s so good, in fact, that it’s supposedly getting picked up for an HBO mini-series with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman!
I've never had assigned readings over the summer before *knock on wood*. I like using my breaks to cram in all the independent reading I didn't have time for during the school year. I've been wanting to read Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Oooh I definitely want to check some of these out!! I just finished The Selection which I actually really liked and was a super quick read. My roommate absolutely loved Me Before You so that might be the first on my list!
I love when you post book recommendations! Most books are pretty enjoyable, but a truly great book is hard to come by. Not sure if you've flipped through any of these, but these are some of my favorites from last summer:
Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, by Robin Sloan The Time In Between, by Maria Duenas Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter
Oh gosh I hated summer reading too but mine was never as intense as yours, no books for math class and no tests! Just a whole lot of annotating 😉 I just finished The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, a good read but a little lighter for summer 🙂
You should 100% read "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding" by Kristin Newman. I cannot recommend it enough – it's hilarious, first of all, and it's got tons of travel and romantic misadventures and you just kind of want Kristin to be your best friend. (She's a sitcom writer for shows like That 70s Show which explains the hilarity.) I hope you'll give it a read; you won't be disappointed!
Since you enjoyed "Big Little Lies" you would probably enjoy "A Hundred Summers" (Beatriz Williams) and "We Were Liars" (E. Lockhart). I finished both in a day each, classic beach reads. Both are told in a similar style of alternating perspectives and time periods, keeping you guessing as to how the story ends.
"Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed is my favorite Strayed book, I couldn't recommend it highly enough! (and I loved Wild). Also, I'm reading "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, and, although it's long, I'm really loving it.
I've been slowly working on Wild, but I plan on definitely getting it done while I'm on vacation! I also want to read Paper Towns before I see the movie!
Yes please to Yes Please! I loved that book so much, and I totally agree it's perfect for a light summer read! Last summer I read Bossypants by Tina Fey, which I recommend if you haven't read it already!
Thanks for the suggestions Carly! I never minded summer reading in high school but I was lucky-I think my teachers tried really hard to make summer reading more interesting than the reading during the school year. I've been wanting to read Paper Towns and contemplating Yes Please (I've heard so many mixed reviews, I should just read it for myself, ha!)
I've been wanting to read some of these and put them on my personal summer reading list! I just finished A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams and I highly recommend! It's the perfect balance of romance, mystery, adventure and scandal, and the writing is SO good.
"Wild" is not a book I'd put on a fun summer reading list. It's definitely a great book but there are some parts that are just horrifying. Good list though!
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
I've never had assigned readings over the summer before *knock on wood*. I like using my breaks to cram in all the independent reading I didn't have time for during the school year. I've been wanting to read Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Oooh I definitely want to check some of these out!! I just finished The Selection which I actually really liked and was a super quick read. My roommate absolutely loved Me Before You so that might be the first on my list!
Annie N Belle
Yes Please! Is on my summer reading list, although I never had to worry about those when I was in high school 🙂
xoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista
I want to read YES Please!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
Bonjourchiara Facebook Page
I love when you post book recommendations! Most books are pretty enjoyable, but a truly great book is hard to come by. Not sure if you've flipped through any of these, but these are some of my favorites from last summer:
Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, by Robin Sloan
The Time In Between, by Maria Duenas
Beautiful Ruins, by Jess Walter
Oh gosh I hated summer reading too but mine was never as intense as yours, no books for math class and no tests! Just a whole lot of annotating 😉 I just finished The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing, a good read but a little lighter for summer 🙂
Kristina does the Internets
You should 100% read "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding" by Kristin Newman. I cannot recommend it enough – it's hilarious, first of all, and it's got tons of travel and romantic misadventures and you just kind of want Kristin to be your best friend. (She's a sitcom writer for shows like That 70s Show which explains the hilarity.) I hope you'll give it a read; you won't be disappointed!
Since you enjoyed "Big Little Lies" you would probably enjoy "A Hundred Summers" (Beatriz Williams) and "We Were Liars" (E. Lockhart). I finished both in a day each, classic beach reads. Both are told in a similar style of alternating perspectives and time periods, keeping you guessing as to how the story ends.
"Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed is my favorite Strayed book, I couldn't recommend it highly enough! (and I loved Wild). Also, I'm reading "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach, and, although it's long, I'm really loving it.
I love Me Before You but it is the farthest thing from a "light and enjoyable read"! Sob.
Ha! Yes, you are right… I think that one falls under the "enjoyable, can't put it down, but grab the tissues" column.
I've been slowly working on Wild, but I plan on definitely getting it done while I'm on vacation! I also want to read Paper Towns before I see the movie!
<3
kimberrleigh
I strongly recommend Paris by Edward Rutherford! I can't wait to read his others like New York and London. The novels are long, but so enjoyable
Alyssa J Freitas
I really want to read Paper Towns, the movie looks so good!
xo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
Yes please to Yes Please! I loved that book so much, and I totally agree it's perfect for a light summer read! Last summer I read Bossypants by Tina Fey, which I recommend if you haven't read it already!
http://www.yellowmondays.com/
Thanks for the suggestions Carly! I never minded summer reading in high school but I was lucky-I think my teachers tried really hard to make summer reading more interesting than the reading during the school year. I've been wanting to read Paper Towns and contemplating Yes Please (I've heard so many mixed reviews, I should just read it for myself, ha!)
I've been wanting to read some of these and put them on my personal summer reading list! I just finished A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams and I highly recommend! It's the perfect balance of romance, mystery, adventure and scandal, and the writing is SO good.
http://thegretaelise.blogspot.com/
"Wild" is not a book I'd put on a fun summer reading list. It's definitely a great book but there are some parts that are just horrifying. Good list though!
Me Before You should not be read on vacation! It will make you cry your eyes out!!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Paper Towns is great!! Delirium and The Royal We are both on my "to-read" list
-Nicole
http://www.meetmeinmidtown.blogspot.com
I just read "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" – so relatable and hilarious. It has been the perfect subway read for my commute.
I loved BIG LITTLE LIES! Right now I'm reading LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE, which is amazing.
I really liked We Were Liars by E. Lockhart! It was the perfect summer beach read! It was so good and it was sort of a suspense novel!
Anchors and Pearls
Ahh I want to read all of these!
Xo
Peyton
perfectlytayloredblog.com