To be honest, I’ve gotten hooked on The Good Wife on Amazon Prime and my reading life has taken the fall as of late. But this Summer, I’m hoping to get back on track. The goal is to read what I have on my shelf, no matter how old, and to tackle the stack of paperbacks I’ve been hoarding.
I’ll do my regular book review post later, but I just finished The Underground Railroad and am working on Hillbilly Elegy now. Both are so good, although the first one is heavy and heartbreaking, as you can imagine. (Maybe not your ideal beach read.)
Any thoughts on what I should read first?
What’s on your summer reading list? Do you read more or less this time of year? You can find more of my book recommendations here.
I don’t have any book suggestions but I just wanted to say I got hooked on The Good Wife a few years ago and watched the whole series until I caught up in prime time. Just finished watching The Handmaid’s Tale. So good but eerily terrifying these days. Make sure you have your passport updated. :)
You are doing exactly as I am doing. Buying no new books and reading what I already have. I’m so behind! Where’d You Go Bernadette is one that’s been sitting for years, and I’m going to put it up next, so I suggest you do too! I had a hard time getting into The Good Wife, but once I did…..I’m now hooked and almost done with Season 2 right now.
This looks like a great selection for your summer reading, Emily! ‘Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand’ is also in my stack of summer reads. Like you, I’m determined to read only from the “to be read” shelves I have at home, but its so hard to not buy more because there are so many good books out there! You will enjoy ‘Sarah’s Key” – or I hope you do – I read it a couple of years ago and still think about it. I really like your book recommendation posts…and my bookshelves do, too! :)
Did you know Sarah’s Key was made into a movie. It wasn’t too bad. Great book though.
I second “Sarah’s Key”. I read it a few years back and its one of the only books I still remember. its haunting, but very good.
I’m taking a break from “The Good Wife” because my daughter’s here for a couple weeks. But I’m hooked also! I love reading at night after going to bed and always appreciate your recommendations. Thank you for sharing and happy reading!
i started best friends and never got into it- i should pick it back up. lucky i picked up because i loved the lovely bones. it was a harder read for me simply because i have been through rape and come out on the other side, and i was too ashamed at the time to do anything about it. i think it’s an important read for young girls, because maybe they’ll be braver than i was, and we can lessen the number of rapes happening each year.
and on another note, i read and LOVED where’d ya go bernadette! a great one to start with IMO. it’s funny, witty, but deeper than you might think and as an approaching 40 mom feeling a little lost in life, totally 100% relatable.
LOVED Hillbilly Elegy… I grew up in western Kentucky and there’s so much about that book that I identified with. Serena is one of my all-time favorites, read it one sitting when it was first released. Sarah’s Key is certainly not a “beach read”, The Good Earth is one I loved from high school and I’d highly recommend. I’m thinking you’ve read Commonwealth?
I’m about to start “The Nest” for a book club next month but always have this conundrum, when do I read?! Between working through my son’s nap time, taking care of my son during his awake time, and trying to relax for an hour with my husband before going off to sleep, I’m not left with much time. Any tips?!
I really didn’t get back in to reading until my little ones were at least 4-5 yrs old. Really little kids is a season that I was a magazine reader :)
Where’d you go Bernadette? is wonderful. You will truly laugh out loud! It is a wonderful escape .
I LOVE, LOVE the Good Wife! So finish watching that. “Where’d you go Bernadette” is such a funny book, you’ll enjoy it. If you haven’t read “The Invention of Wings”, add it to your list!
“Ordinary Grace” is that “spectacular book” you’ve never heard of. It takes place in the summer, making it a good “summer read”. A huge story, beautifully and simply told, it will stick with you. Highly recommended.
Loved Hillbilly Elegy–listened to the audio book read by the author which really brought the book to life! Also love everything by Betty Smith. Read Joy in the Morning a few years ago and would love to read it again.
“Joy in the Morning” is an ALL TIME FAVORITE of mine – I’m sure you’ve read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” too. I’d also highly recommend “Maggie-Now” by Betty Smith. My library had to borrow Maggie-Now from another library – it’s kinda hard to find – but oh my gosh is it a gem. Have a great summer!
Thanks for the book recommendations! Lately I’ve been trying to read as much as possible before our vegetable garden requires more of my time. I read “The Good Earth” in high school and I still remember a lot about it. I learned a lot and it’s a story that makes you think. That’s my favorite kind of story. One that you can get involved in and that teaches. I think I’m in the minority, but I was disappointed with “Where’d You Go Bernadette?”. Just not my kind of book, I guess.
Yes! I have such fond memories of The Good Earth from high school. Loved that book and I do still think about it occasionally (all these years later!). Sarah’s Key was also good. I seem to recall that I plowed through that one rather quickly on a vacation (though it’s a heavy subject). This is making me realize that I need to make more time for reading in my life (and, uhm, exercising).
William Kent Krueger’s “Ordinary Grace” is a wonderful book! I’ve enjoyed his mystery series, but this book is something more–a heartfelt, nostalgic, but not sweet story about family and life and loss, all just beautifully written. Don’t pass it by! I’ve read several of the others, and they are good books, but they aren’t up to the standard of “Ordinary Grace” in my book.
Another recommendation for you:
Sugar by Kimberly Stuart
I really enjoyed “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” and think you should start with it! :)
I loved Sarah’s Key, it is not a beach read, but will stay with you long after you finish reading.
Lucky is a BEAUTIFUL book. You have several of my favorites and a few I haven’t tried. Happy reading!
Thank you for posts like this one. I’m determined to go back to reading often and your suggestions have helped me. I’m just finishing Small Great Things and I’m loving it.
I’m so glad!
Great stash! Bernadette, Major Pettigrew and Sarah’s Key- all wonderful! This year I have loved A Man Called Ove, Magnolia Story, A Gentleman in Moscow and Secrets of a Charmed Life….
I just finished reading The Lilac Girls and thought it was an excellent book about World War II. I saw Sarah’s Key in your stack and would highly recommend it! It’s another WW II read well worth your time. Have you ever read The Book Thief? It is probably one of my all time favorites! Happy reading!
I’ve also been been motivated to read more & have used your suggestions to jump start my reading or listening habits. You give great descriptions. I enjoyed Col. Pettigrew for the great descriptions of the setting and customs as well as storyline. I missed Good Earth in my high school experience, but read it to keep up with my kids.
I highly recommend ” Ordinary Grace”. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking story, but so simple in its’ delivery. It takes place over one summer in the early 1960s. A great and memorable read. And “Where’d You Go Bernadette” is just crazy, laugh out loud funny! Completely enjoyable.
I think I am in the minority along with Michele M. “Where’d You Go Bernadette?” was ok for me, but I didn’ t love it. Sarah’s key is wonderful, but I don’t know if it is a beach read. I find that I go to the library more now and just look in the new books for something that grabs me. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
I just now, (like 10 minutes ago) finished “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. Such a heart wrenching WWII read. Loved it.! Also Sarah’s Key and The Good Earth were great reads.
I, too, got pulled in by The Good Wife a couple of years ago. It’s compelling and I liked her waaaay back on ER. I binge watched until I caught up ( at that point) I need to watch what came after my binge! Good luck with Summer reading! I travel a lot in the Summer for work and sadly seem to drag the same book around in my backpack for 2 months. It always looks like it has been through battle at the end of “mission trip season.” :) I’m dragging The Yellow Envelope around this Summer. I rarely read fiction but my mom got me hooked on Rosamunde Pilcher – great British country life novels.
I tried a Rosamunde Pilcher book (Winter something?) and went to something else about halfway through. Maybe I’ll go back and try to finish (if I can find it!). :)
I loved The Stone Diaries. My copy had been on my shelf for a couple of years, I grabbed it for a car ride to visit family and I ended up LOVING it. Her writing is so wonderful. You’ve inspired me to go back to my bookshelf again to see what other treasures might be lying there…Happy Readiing!! Susan
Where’d You Go Bernadette and The Good Earth…did not read the others. I was in my 40’s when I read the Good Earth-what a wonderful book ! Should not have waited that long !
The Good Earth is a wonderful classic. I read it after visiting China. Also Sarah’s Key was very good. Those are my 2 recommendations. I may choose one of your other picks for my next book.
Hi Kathy! Thanks for your recommendations :)
I love Kristin hannah, but if I remember correctly the distant shores was my least favorite of hers. It wasn’t nearly as develooed and engaging as the ithers.. So if you end up not liking it, try another of her titles!
I binged The Good Wife in December and January, so good!
I’ve recently read and really enjoyed The BookShop On The Corner and What Alice Forgot. Both great summer reads! I just reserved several titles from your list; thanks!
I want to be a reader, so to help me reach my goal of reading at least four books this summer, I started a summer only book club. I found a great site http://www.bookmovement.com an online forum to connect people to read. I call it Mrs. Twist Reads This. Everyone who came to the first meeting in June received a monogrammed book bag and we have 20 members. We’ve read Into the Water and The Book of Polly. Both were great books! I’d love to have you join us. Have a happy summer!