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!
Happy October 11 to all who celebrate 🎂”Your birthday is October 11?! So is mine!” SIX years later and these parent trap Halloween costumes remain as relevant as ever (frankly maybe even more relevant). Forever grateful to @carlyahill, the Hallie Parker to my Annie James. I believe there was a cultural reset the day we did this 🙊
Sometimes I actually can’t believe I’m a mom? Like I’m standing there holding a baby dressed in a bear fleece bunting watching my toddler running around and thinking, “whoa, these are my CHILDREN? I am a MOM???” Crazy and amazing 🫶🏻
I know, I know, they never went “out” in my opinion too, but I love seeing them come back into mainstream fashion. (As they should IMO!) These red boots were one of my first viral commissionable products on my blog- they took OFF on Pinterest and the rest was history. Feels like revisiting an old friend 😌 I bought these red ones right before a press trip to Scotland (!) with Barbour (!!) and I have the best memories. It’s a good reminder to “buy nice or buy twice.” Ten years later and we’re still going strong!
Barn Jacket is @oldnavy, embroidered by @bobinettedesigns (inspired by @goldcoastdyes)
What would Audrey Hepburn wear in 2024? I think she’d wear something like this! Shop my head to toe look from @EvereveOfficial in my LTK Shop! https://liketk.it/4SYrI #EverevePartner #EvereveStyle
Can you believe that Teddy is 11 years old? We recently switched to @primalpetfoods Kibble in the Raw! It combines all the benefits of raw nutrition with the convenience of kibble. Each kibble-sized bite is crafted with freeze-dried raw meat and individually prepared ingredients for optimal digestibility, making it extremely convenient AND nutritious. #primalpetfoodspartner #ad
Ready for a fresh start this month. September is usually my favorite month of the year and I feel like it went by so fast I hardly got to enjoy it- the whole thing was a blur. Ready to savor October- I have a list of things I want to try to do (like sewing the boys’ Halloween costumes 🎃 and keep practicing my sourdough 🍞). If nothing else, I’m trying to take a moment *every day* to do something, even the tiniest 5-minute interlude, that brings me a moment of peace.
PS I definitely need to add some of the bigger blooms but I didn’t want to sacrifice them just yet 🙈
A simple September Sunday 🌧️💛 We’ve been trying to get out and do one last weekend adventure after naptime on Sunday afternoons before gearing back up for the weekday routine. Not even the rain could stop us!
Maybe this Reel isn’t exactly “instagram worthy” but it’s exactly what life looks and feels like right now and THAT is worthy of a permanent spot on the feed 🫶🏻
MOM HACK ALERT ‼️ @audible audiobooks for kids is a huge game changer! As a huge lover of audiobooks myself, I was thrilled to discover a huge catalog of audiobooks and podcasts for kids included in my #Audible membership. Sign up for Audible today with the link in my bio and discover amazing content for the whole family! #audiblepartner #amazoninfluencer #ad
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