I didn’t read as much as I would have liked this summer. Scratch that: I’m not reading as much as I’d like to, period. But for good reasons. Most of the time, by the time I get to bed, I can only read a few pages before my eyes get heavy.
So while the quantity isn’t that high, the quality was. With the exception of two of these books, I’d highly recommend them all:
Modern Lovers // This was one of my favorites of the summer. The pace is slow and enjoyable. It follows a group of friends in Brooklyn as their lives intertwine throughout the years. (I loved Emma Straub’s The Vacationers too.)
The After Party // This would be the one book I’d recommend skipping over. I thought the story was okay but ultimately pretty boring. And the main character irritated me to no end. She had no… spine? I would have preferred the story from her friend Joan’s perspective!
The Girls // I didn’t enjoy The Girls, at all. I listened to it on tape which could have ruined it for me, but a lot of my friends felt similarly, so who knows. I would say The Girls was THE most hyped book of the summer. (The 25-year-old first-time author had a $2 million book deal for it.) So if you feel like you want to know what they hype is all about, read it… otherwise don’t feel guilty skipping!
You Are a Badass // 100% this is a must-read. I texted about ten friends (and my sister) after I finished it telling them they had to read it. It’s technically a self-help book, but it’s a good– totally non-cheesy– one.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child // I have mixed feelings about this. I liked it because it’s a Harry Potter book… but don’t be fooled, it’s not a “Harry Potter Book.” It’s the script for the West End play. It lacks the magic that Harry Potters typically have, although it did make me want to see the play!
The Ramblers // If you only read one book from this list… make it this one. I LOVED The Ramblers. It’s written so well; it takes place over the week before Thanksgiving and follows around different characters and their intertwined lives around NYC. Seriously, it’s so good. (My mom read it in a day!)
The Singles Game // If you’re in the market for a light, chick-flick read, try The Singles Game. The story is a bit predictable, but I still loved the characters and the plot. Even better with the US Open going on!
Truly Madly Guilty // Liane Moriarty is easily becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are always enjoyable, and there’s always a great “twist” that keeps the pages turning. The best way to describe this book is to say that something goes a bit awry at a neighborhood barbecue.
Do you have any must-read books to recommend?!
Seriously You Are A Badass is the best book. I’ve told so many people to read it and shared on Twitter!
Definitely adding The After Party to my ‘books to-read’ list!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
I still have to read the Harro Potter book. My TBR pile is too big.
I loved You Are a Badass so much more than I thought I would! The beginning was a bit slow and then I was totally sucked in!
How you felt about The Girls is how I felt about The Vacationers last year.
I didn’t love The Girls but I also didn’t hate it. I think it has grown on me more after reading– specifically her experience and how it screwed her up for life–as I have totally by accident learned more about Charles Manson, his followers, and the subsequent murders.
This summer I also enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians and I’ve just started (and so far am loving) The Woman in Cabin 10.
I actually liked The Girls, I thought the story and characters were really interesting. I agree with you on The After Party though, I would have loved it from Joan’s perspective instead! It was fun to read her descriptions of everyone’s outfits though 😉
Kristina does the Internets
Some of the books you’ve read are on my bucket list! I’ve made a similar blog post, about books I’ve read this summer, some of them definitely ones to remember:
https://mildsunshineblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/books-ive-read-this-summer/
I was so disappointed by the “Harry Potter ” book. I’m really surprised that Rowling agreed to put her name on it tbh.
SO many good looks!
I did read the Nightingale prior to The Girls so that’s a hard act to follow but I totally agree with you! It was a little too “gritty”for me but more often then not I don’t think it added to the story. I will have to try Emma Straub books next.
I read The After Party this summer too and felt similarly. Definitely need to read The Singles Game!
http://ow.ly/E36V3045Fdb
I read The After Party this summer too and felt similarly. Definitely need to read The Singles Game!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
That’s so funny you said that about the HP script…the whole time I was reading it, all I could think about was how I’d hadn’t felt the “magic” of reading a new Harry Potter in nine years, and here it was! I don’t think it was perfect, but I really enjoyed it. That being said, it’s different for everyone, and that’s totally fair!
Love You are a Badass! I send it to friends when I feel they need a little love.
I keep on seeing the Liane Moriarty book around – can’t wait to read it, or maybe The Husband’s Secret, heard that one was good too. Too bad about The After Party…but now I can’t wait to read The Ramblers. I love stories that take place in NYC.
Compared to every other book that I’ve read by Lauren Weisberger, I found the Singles Game to be so boring! I did think Modern Lovers and The Ramblers were great books though, and I’m looking forward to Truly, Madly, Guilty! I read Big Little Lies recently and was bowled over by how powerful the writing and story were.
I felt the same way about The Girls, I couldn’t get through it. I’m hoping to listen to You are a Badass; I love inspiring books.
I thought The Girls was fine but agree, the hype for it does not match what a reader gets out of the book.
Just finished A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman and LOVED it!
I could not agree more about The Girls! It was just bizarre. It’s nice to hear that you felt the same way. I also read Girl on the Train and Miss. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, which are both being turned in to movies, and they were fabulous.
YES I have most of these in my cart, just waiting for the paperback versions (I hate hardcover with a passion). I did start reading The Girls and it’s interesting but definitely not a MUST READ. I feel it would translate better on the big screen than on a book.
michenn
I always love seeing your book recommendations! I’m currently in graduate school for English, so it’s nice to find books to read that aren’t so…school-y
Have you ever thought about doing vlog book reviews? I think it would be so fun to watch! But if you’re like me, it might be hard to not give all of the plots away. It’d be a fun thing to watch, though! 🙂
I agree about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – I enjoyed it more than I expected, but it still left me wanting. I just finished reading Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid- it’s a modern retelling of the Jane Austen classic and I really enjoyed it!
I totally understand you on the new Harry Potter book! I read it after reading all of the real books this summer and I was disappointed, then I talked to my roommates about it and they pointed out even more plot holes that I didn’t see and hated it even more! I want a real HP book to come out now! Hahaha!
Yes, I would recommend as a must-read book, What in the World Am am I Going to Wear? You can find it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/What-World-Going-Wear-Extraordinarily/dp/1522065083/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1515120125&sr=