Perfect Summer Reads!

Let me guess: you’re going on vacation, or maybe to the pool, and you need something summerish to read. What do I mean by summerish? It’s vacation and relax time, so no dry non-fiction or novels full of complex vocabulary and symbolism. Summer reading demands something smart yet easy to read, with humor as a bonus, and perhaps a summer setting.

Let me tell you what isn’t summerish. One year I took Great Expectations by Charles Dickens up to the Adirondacks for our annual Camp trip. My traveling companions thought I was crazy. GE is dense, difficult to read, and full of characters I can’t relate to. I’ll never make that mistake again.

In the spirit of summer, here are a few books that you can take to the beach/lake/camp site with you.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Several of my friends have been raving about Ms. Moriarty, and Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand recommended the audio of Big Little Lies a while ago. I listened to it last month, and now I get what all the fuss is about!

Moriarty combines wit, sensitivity, and suspense in Big Little Lies, a novel about a death at a school fundraiser. Using multiple POVs (points of view), Moriarty cleverly dispenses clues to her mystery, while also exploring sensitive issues like domestic abuse and assault. She does a great job of illustrating the complicated relationships between men and women, parents and children.

I’ve given this book as a gift several times in the past month, and one of my friends who doesn’t like to read actually finished it within a few weeks! A major accomplishment, and a major endorsement for Big Little Lies. Give it a try!

Now my only problem is deciding which Moriarty novel to read next. Suggestions?

The Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

This epistolary novel (remember what that means? Told in letters) is a humorous exchange between a boy plagued by bullies and the third baseman for the New York Giants. Joey needs something to give him street cred with the kids in his Brooklyn neighborhood, so he sends letters to baseball star Charlie Banks requesting proof of their friendship. Initially, Banks does not appreciate his young fan’s attention, but the two end up exchanging many hilarious letters. We also get to see report cards, newspaper articles, and psychiatrist transcripts. Intrigued? You should be!

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Emily’s best friend Sloane disappears at the beginning of the summer, leaving nothing behind except a cryptic “to do” list which includes things like skinny dipping, hugging a Jamie, and dancing all night. As Emily tackles each item on Sloane’s list, she expands her initially microscopic comfort zone and finds new-found confidence in the void Sloane left behind.

I loved watching Emily break free from her dependence on Sloane and embrace new relationships. This is a great book about tackling awkwardness and rising above doubt. It’s also very PG-13, with a little bit of kissing and drinking making up the “content”.

We Were Liars by E Lockhart

This one reads fast and features fantastic writing. It’s set on a family’s private island off the coast of Massachusetts during summer vacation, so it fits the summer setting requirement. Unfortunately, the end left me feeling a bit cheated.  My full review is here.

Hopefully, that will get you started off right.  For more summer reading ideas, check out The Books on the Nightstand summer reading bingo challenge.
What summer reads can you recommend?

Thanks for stopping by!

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