Although summer is time to enjoy outdoor activities, travel, and go sightseeing, I’m still planning on saving a week or two to sit by the ocean with a book (or e-reader) in hand. Summer is usually when I’m able to find longer stretches of uninterrupted reading time, so I try to mix in a few longer books (think Anna Karenina) or binge on series like Harry Potter. This year, I’m looking forward to enjoying a selection of YA and adult novels, authors I’ve read before and some debuts. Here’s what I have on my summer reading list:
An Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. My friend Audrey and I went to see Judy Blume during her recent book tour and it was a thrill being so close to a writing legend. After hearing Judy talk about her latest adult novel, which took five years to write, I’m looking forward to savoring every word!
The Ruins by TH Hernandez. This second book in The Union series is out this month. Penned by my critique partner, I’ve lived with this book in various stages of development and I’m so excited to finally dig into the finished product. If you’re in the mood for YA romance, futuristic adventure, excellent world building, and a hot guy named Cyrus, then definitely give it a try.
Life in the No Dating Zone by Patricia B. Tighe. I love “friends to more” YA romances because they really do happen frequently in high school. Plus, the characters in this book are ones I’d like to have as friends – the shy guy and the sweet girl who always stays true to herself. Just the cover of this book was enough to draw me in – it looks like a perfect sunny, summer read.
How to Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo. I had the privilege of reading an early version of this book about family, friendship, and living with an autistic sibling. I’m usually a pretty stoic reader, but this story pulled tears from me. I’m looking forward to reading the final version when it releases later this summer and crying all over again.
Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert. This recent release by the Freshman Fifteens debut author group focuses on choices we make that define the rest of our lives. Based on the reviews I’ve read, this is one of my most anticipated summer reads. I can’t wait to delve into this story, which The School Library Journal described as “a poignant look at the messiness of love, faith, and humanity.”
The Funeral Singer by Linda Budzinski. When a 17 year-old funeral singer’s rendition of Amazing Grace goes viral she must cope with the issues related to insta-fame. With social networking and You Tube posting so much of our lives, I love the concept behind this book. The idea that anyone can become famous overnight feels so realistic and I welcome the chance to get inside a character’s head and find out how they deal with it.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Billed as a “novel of shocking narrative energy and power,” this book has been on my TBR shelf for a while and I’m waiting for the right time to read it. All 771 pages of it. Will The Goldfinch be my Anna Karenina read this summer? I’m hoping yes.
Check back with me this fall to find out if I met my summer reading goals. You can also connect with me on Goodreads to find out what I’m currently reading.
Happy Summer!
