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!
Nothing says summer to me like finally being able to have dinner outside with our friends. We are gearing up for al fresco dining with @mackenziechilds pieces in their iconic Royal Check– the blue and white pattern couldn’t be more “me” and fits in perfectly with my summertime aesthetic. I especially love that each #mackenziechilds handcrafted piece has a unique signature of its own and no two pieces are identical. Don’t forget to use my exclusive code CARLYROYAL15 to save 15% off for the next 48 hours. Valid once per shopper. #MCPartner #RoyalCheckCollection
Move over coastal grandmother, it’s going to be a red hot summer for me ❤️💃🏻🔥 I am love-love-loving red lately and I am incorporating the hue more and more into my everyday outfits. It’s a little bolder than I typically go for and, even though I’m three months postpartum, I’m feelin’ it! 👉🏻 Leave a comment saying “red” and I’ll send you the links to my outfits featured in the Reel!
My little roar-bear and I made it through the fourth trimester together 🧸 These past twelve weeks have flown by. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that we only just met- I feel like I have known Rory my whole life.
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
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