Happy Monday, friends! I had one heck of a weekend between standing in line for the Milk Bar pop-up at Big Star, brunch at Drawl, and a gorgeous 70-degree run on the lake. I also watched all 8 episodes of the Hulu reboot of Veronica Mars. While I won’t spoil the ending for you slackers who haven’t dedicated 8 hours of your life to fictional characters yet, let’s just say my emotions are all out of whack.
In other news, I am traveling to Tampa this week, then Philly and NYC next, followed in a few short weeks by my annual jaunt to Colorado. I figured with all these flights coming up, it was the perfect time to beef up my reading list and share some books to read with you.
A few notes before we dive in. First, I’ve finished all but two of the books on my July goals post list. I absolutely cannot speak highly enough about Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan. So that will be my first book below. Run, don’t walk, to grab your copy. I laughed, I cried, I self-reflected. It’s a winner. And the second book on my list to read below also made an appearance on my holiday reading list – I just haven’t gotten to it yet … whoops.
10 Books to Read …
Tell Me More, By Kelly Corrigan
As I’ve been recommending this book right and left, I’ve been telling people it’s a cross between a self-help book and a memoir. And definitely a tear jerker. This is the only book on our list this month that I’ve already read (well except a bonus I added at the end), but it’s too good to make y’all wait for my next post with reviews!!
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
This historical novel features a former female spy and a pregnant teen searching for answers on a decades-old mystery. As I mentioned, it was on my last reading list, but I skipped over it and I just heard on a podcast the other day that it’s not one to miss. So, I’ve made the vow to read this before the month’s end.
Where The Crawdads Sing, By Delia Owens
I keep seeing this book pop us as one Amazon recommends, but then last week a co-worker mentioned it as well and I always trust recommendations from friends over anything. In fact, I get 90% of my book recommendations from my friend Lindsay, my mom, The Lady Gang, or The Skimm. Anyway, this sounds like a good, old-fashioned southern mystery.
Match Making For Beginners, By Maddie Dawson
I’m not going to lie, the first thing that made me notice this book was the cover, which reminded me a little of the old Madeline books. I clicked because I was hoping it was part of the franchise I loved so much as a child, but alas, it is not. Instead, though, it seems like a light-hearted rom com perfect for reading by the pool.
The Murmur Of Bees, by Sofía Segovia
We’ll call this one a wild card as I came across it randomly. It’s about a child with mysterious powers aiding his family during the Mexican Revolution. Sounds interesting, if nothing else, and I always love reading about other cultures.
Daisy Jones & The Six, By Taylor Jenkins Reid
TJR is one of my favorites after reading The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo this winter. This one reads as a series of interviews making it feel a bit like non-fiction. At one point I started it and made it 20 pages in before getting distracted, but I’m hoping to pick it back up soon as I’ve heard so many great things!
Normal People, By Sally Rooney
Normal People sounds like a good (maybe love??) story following two teenagers through adulthood. It also sounds a skosh more complex than my typical romance novel.
When Breath Becomes Air, By Paul Kalanithi
This book will be a tough read, but fascinating enough to give it a shot! It’s written by a doctor on his death bed after being diagnosed with lung cancer. All about living life.
Whisper Network, By Chandler Baker
I’m intrigued by this book because it’s about women in Corporate America dealing with a slimeball boss fighting for what’s right. I hope it’s more girl-power and less catty backstabbing, but time will tell!
BONUS: Hillbilly Elegy, By J.D. Vance
One of my favorite books is on massive Kindle discount for only $2.99. If you are a Kindle reader like I am, definitely pick this one up. If you’re not, it’s still worth the $10.74 for the paperback!
What books are on your list this summer?
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I read Whisper Network and enjoyed it but I think she ripped off Big Little Lies’ format a bit. Great airplane read. I also loved Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls. When Breathe Becomes Air is so good but crushing. I’ll be interested to hear your opinion of Hillbilly Elegy. Safe travels!
Ohh! I haven’t read or seen BLL yet (blasphemy, I know) so maybe I’ll read this first so I don’t get mad. 😂 And good to know on City of Girls – I’ll check it out! Hillbilly Elegy is one of my favs – covers a lot about inequity but not in a dreary defeatist sort of way. Really smart and well written!