Summer Reading 2015

I love the idea of summer reading. Back when I was a teacher, I spent the school year collecting books for my summer stack, and I could hardly wait for June to arrive so I could dive in. Now, even though I work full-time year round, when summer approaches I feel inspired to single out a stack of books that feel like good reads for the season.

Here’s what’s in my stack for this summer so far:

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand. Elin is my favorite, favorite, favorite beach read author. Her books are never trite or fluffy. Her characters are real and always deeply interesting. Her storylines are never predictable – even when you think they’re going to be. All of her novels are set against the endearing backdrop of Nantucket Island, off the coast of Msssachusetts. And who doesn’t like an island summer? Elin is literary fiction disguised as chick lit. The Rumor releases June 16.

 

 

 

 

 

The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer. Nantucket’s other summer beach read author, Nancy Thayer is my second favorite. I turn to her books when I am caught up on Elin Hilderbrand’s (sorry, Nancy). Her latest book, The Guest Cottage, is in stores now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume. I love Judy Blume. I grew up on Judy Blume. Her novel Summer Sisters is one of my perennial favorites. I was beyond excited when I found out she had a new book coming out, because it doesn’t happen often! In the Unlikely Event released just this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eleanore & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I’m a sucker for good YA fiction. So many people have recommended Eleanor & Park to me that I felt I had to put it on my list. If I love it as much as I think I’m going to, Fangirl will be next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin. I caught an article in the New York Times by Wednesday Martin a few weeks ago that was a bit of a teaser for this book, about how upper class New York wives really don’t have it so great. I was intrigued. The book released this week, so it’s available now. If the foibles of the real housewives of the Upper East Side are of interest to you, check out Wednesday’s memoir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown. Brene’ Brown’s bestselling book on the courage it takes to be vulnerable in a world of high-pressure relationships has been on my list for a long time. Time to make good on this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans. As we’ve made multiple cross-country moves during the past three years, struggling with each one to find a church community that feels “right” for us, I’ve found myself asking, What really matters when it comes to church? Knowing that most church groups and functions are on hold for the summer, it seemed like the perfect time to read this, to help me achieve some clarity before we begin diving in anywhere this fall.

 

 

 

 

 

For the Love by Jen Hatmaker. Jen’s latest take on what it’s like to be a woman trying to live a faith-filled life in our crazy world is overflowing with her unique mix of humor, honesty, and loving confrontation. I confess, I’ve already read it, but I had to mention it here for your sake. For the Love releases August 18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love the Home You Have by Melissa Michaels. I love Melissa’s blog, The Inspired Room, and since I’m always, always looking for ways to simplify our home life and find satisfaction and beauty in the things around me, this seemed like the perfect thing to read as I’m doing a summer purge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. When I first saw this NYT bestseller in my local bookstore, the subtitle made me think it must be yet another feng shui handbook. When I finally picked it up and actually browsed through it a bit, I saw that it’s anything but. Marie’s revolutionary approach to decluttering – which centers on the joy attached to your possessions – has already revolutionized my purge habits. I’m loving every page of this book.

 

 

 

 

And finally, Eating for Beginners by Melanie Rehak. I stumbled across a used copy of this recently, and snatched it up. A sort of Michael-Pollan-meets-a-SAHM, Eating for Beginners offers observations on how to make good food choices as a busy parent – because we can’t all move to a farm in Appalachia like Barbara Kingsolver. I’m interested in Melanie’s take on sorting out the virtues and evils of our food system from a parent’s point of view. And hey, it wouldn’t be summer without a good book on food.

 

 

 

 

 

So, friends – what’s on your summer reading list? Leave a comment and tell me.

Love,
Harmony