Sadly, reading a book by the ocean’s edge is not in the cards for me this summer, but I do plan on spending flights and car rides with my nose in a book.
I’ve read or listened to fourteen books since my last round of book reviews (not counting my Ten Books You May Have Missed post). It’s been a busy three months! The six I’m reviewing today are the best picks, although two others were great second or third books in a series.
If you read and liked You by Caroline Kepnes, check out the sequel (Hidden Bodies), and Justin Cronin’s third book of The Passage trilogy (The City of Mirrors) was a satisfying ending to the post-apocalyptic saga.
These six cover a variety of tastes; I hope you find at least one to get lost in this summer. And if you’re lucky enough to be reading pool-side or ocean-side, don’t forget the sunscreen! Reading won’t give you sunburn, but Mother Nature will.
Disclosure: The book titles are Amazon affiliate links, so if you purchase a book I get a few pennies to put toward my substantial k-cup budget.
Miller’s Valley by Anna Quindlen
I wasn’t planning on reading this; my one attempt at a Quindlen book was unsuccessful. That one was nonfiction, but when my book club chose her newest fiction piece, I was not expecting to like it.
I really liked it. Mimi Miller grew up in Miller’s Valley, where her family has lived for generations. The novel is told through her eyes, and it is a story of family, small towns, and coming of age. I loved the subtlety of Quindlen’s writing; the reader uncovers the truths of Mimi’s world as she does. While it was not a page turner in a suspenseful way, I read the novel in two days. It is a thoughtful, well-written book perfect for lazy summer days.
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
I suppose most people would read this novel because it is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I have never read Austen’s novel (don’t judge), but I read it because I’m a fan of Sittenfeld’s previous novels. I’d love to know what fans of Pride and Prejudice think of Eligible, but when I asked on my Facebook page, I got crickets.
What a fun book! it is witty, fast-paced, and sometimes just plain silly. Another perfect summer read that won’t tax your brain.
Speaking of taxing your brain…
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (audiobook)
I would not have tried this book if I was not addicted to the musical Hamilton, but I would have missed out on a detailed, fascinating autobiography of an incredible man. If you are a history buff, try it. If you like autobiographies, try it. If you want something different than your usual fiction fare, try it. If you need a booster seat, buy the book. If a huge book is too intimidating, listen to the 37 hour audio book (I listened on 1.5x speed, and it took me about two months to finish).
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
I enjoy throwing a YA drama in the mix every once in a while, and Tell Me Three Things was a great break between heavier, more adult novels.
Jessie’s dad has remarried less than two years after her mother died, and now they are living in a posh LA home with his new wife and her son. Jessie hates her new prep school and misses her BFF in Chicago.
She receives an email from a fellow student calling himself (herself?) Somebody/Nobody (SN), offering to help her navigate the school. Jessie begins an unlikely friendship with SN, and he (she?) becomes her closest friend.
Funny and poignant, Tell Me Three Things is a quick, enjoyable read for teens and adults.
Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight (audiobook)
Told from the alternating perspectives of three women in the same town, Where They Found Her is part mystery, part small town drama. It begins with the discovery of a newborn’s body in the woods. Newcomer Molly is covering the story for the local newspaper, despite the loss of her own baby and the severe depression that followed.
As Molly investigates, long-buried secrets are unearthed. I can usually predict twists in novels, but this one kept me guessing long enough to be a compelling page turner.
This was the first time I’ve listened to an audio book and felt that reading it would have been better. The narrator annoyed me; I felt like she was performing a play instead of reading a book. If you listen to audiobooks, choose a different one and read this one instead.
The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelly Rowley
I won a copy of this book through a giveaway (thanks, Allie!). I’m not sure I would have picked it up otherwise, but I’m glad I did.
The Ramblers follows three young adults through a week in Manhattan, although their stories are fleshed out with flashbacks. There are no huge plot twists and no major drama; Rowley simply explores the chaos of life. While Clio, Smith, and Tate are privileged and seemingly golden, they are each lost in their own way. This quiet, strong novel ended too soon for me. I read it during a thirteen hour car ride home from Disney World, and I was sad to finish it.
What have you read lately? I’m always on the search for another great book! If you need more book recommendations, check out the index of every book I’ve reviewed HERE.
I muuuuuuuuuust read Alexander Hamilton!
Thank you for all of the great suggestions, Dana. x
Yes you must! It was pretty fabulous.
I so wish that I had brought some books with me when we went on vacation this year. There’s not much better than a good read at the beach or by the pool. I’ll definitely be checking out these recommendations!
What a great batch of books. I loved Eligible and the Ramblers (and so glad you did, too). Adding Miller’s Valley and the Hamilton book to my list.
I hope you like them, Allie!
Is definitely like to try Tell Me Three Things! Thanks for these suggestions.
My pleasure!
oooh! I’ll have to add these to my to-read list. It’s ridiculously long… because my boys keep asking me to re-read them age-appropriate books! 🙂
Stopping by via Eli’s 6 words. So glad I found you!
Hi Kim – glad we were back to back in Eli’s post! My to-read list is long too; I add books faster than I read them!
I just read two of the Shopaholics books recently because it’s summer and I needed more light reads 😉
I don’t think I’ve read any of these, but I will be adding them to my list!
Happy reading, Bev!
Finally read Me Before You, which I think I first heard of from you! Loved it. Now reading Telegraph Ave by Michael Chabon. His sentences are amazing but the story isn’t as compelling to me as his previous books I’ve read. Justin Cronin’s on my list! Read the first two and loved them.
I think you’ll love the last one, Liz. Cronin did a great job of reminding readers about pertinent info from the first two books, which I appreciated. So often I read a second or third book in a trilogy and need a recap.
I read a handful of these, too including, Eligible, Miller’s Valley and The Ramblers. All three, I thoroughly enjoyed and like you would recommend. Right now, I’m reading Here’s To Us by Elin Hilderbrand and cannot put it down. So would highly recommend to you, if you haven’t read yet. And thank you for a few more suggestions still and will be definitely adding, Where They Found Her.
I remember your reviews for those, Janine. I like Hildebrand, so I’ll check that one out. Thanks!
I’m still working my way through Alexander Hamilton. It’s interesting but so long… 🙂
You’ve been reading that for awhile! It is long, but the last third of the book is the best.
After a long dry spell, I’m on a summer reading binge. (Well, a “binge” for me anyway.) I’ve got more books on my Goodreads shelf than I’ll ever actually read, I’m sure, and I just added the first two from this list!
Yay! My Goodreads list is over 50 books long – I’ll never get that number down either!
I was hoping for more reading opportunities by the beach this summer! Maybe in Alaska.
I’m on a YA kick right now, so I head there first!
I love YA for the summer – quicker reads, and sometimes lighter.
I really liked the first 60% of Eligible (and did find it a great take on P and P), but all the reality show stuff got a little crazy for me.
Really want to read Julie Buxbaum’s YA.
I’m reading a YA I’m liking now called Even When You Lie to Me by Jessica Alcott. I’m liking it so far.
Yes, the reality show stuff did go off the rails a bit! Another blogger recommended Buxbaum’s book, but I can’t remember who. I really need to start noting who recommends books, so I can thank them. I’ll check out Alcott’s book too – thanks!
I loved “Where They Found Her” and you NEED to read her lastest (also a YA) book “Outliers.” It is ridiculously good!
Just added it to my list – thanks Allie!