2016 Summer Reading List
What makes a book good for summer reading? Ā Well everyones definition of that is probably different. Ā My definition of a good summer read, is something easy, not too deep, not too long. Ā Summer has many distractions and I want to be able to read for a few minutes and put my book down and come back to it easily without back tracking and trying to remember 5 bagillion characters and their back story. Ā So with all that said, some of these books that I’m suggesting may not fit perfectly into that definition, Ā the books that do I’m going to put an * asterick by. Ā Astericks = best for easy summer reading.
Back in the day when my kiddos needed a ride to the library now they can drive themselves to the library, or go buy their own books, with their own money. Ā Or leave me sticky notes to make purchases from Amazon. Ā I love that my kids read. Ā Here is what they are reading this summer: Cece (14) is reading The Legend series by Marie Lu, Luke (16) is reading How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis and The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, Ainslie(17) is reading Casebook by Mona Simpson, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (she’s my reader!), and Noah is currently reading nothing (he is also a reader, just isn’t reading at the moment).
This is not a book club update, it’s just a summer reading list. You may remember, I made myself a Good Reads goal of 24 books for the year (I know this may seem like a kindergarten goal by some standards, but hey I like to watch TV too! and not to mention summer movies!). Ā I am so behind! Ā I’ve read 8 books, I should be reading my 12th right now to be on track!
If you’re not on GoodReads, you really should be! Ā If you are a reader and you have a smart phone download the app. Ā It’s such a great way to keep track of what you’ve read, and see what others are reading. Ā Friend me on GoodReads!!
Ok let’s get to it. Ā Here is what I have read lately with a very brief rating, because some of these I’ve covered already in previous book club posts.Ā
The Bookseller of Kabul – Asne Seierstad
I am fascinated by different cultures, and places I’ve never been, this book was a very eye opening account of life in Pakistan/middle east. Ā If you like the books Ā The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns you would like this real life account as seen through the eyes of the author who was allowed to live with a family in Kabul for two years.
*Inside the Obriens – Lisa Genova
Author of Still Alice writes this time about Huntingtons Disease and the effects it has on a family. Ā I loved this book. Ā Warning: for me anyway it was a very heartbreaking book, I shed more than a few tears while reading.
Molokai – O.A. Bushnell
I read this book over Spring Break. Ā First you should know I love historical fiction. Ā I spent many an hour googling Molokai, leprosy, and the likes while reading this book. Ā I loved this book! Ā And highly recommend you read it. Ā I literally could not put it down, it fascinated me.
*For the Love – Jen Hatmaker
Fighting for grace in a world of impossible standards. Ā Maybe I’ve read too many books along this line of helping to better my relational skills, and learn to love others more efficiently. Ā I don’t know. Ā Although I did have a few LOL moments, and I didn’t hate it, it’s one of those books that makes me feel worse about myself rather than motivating me. Ā Instead of making me want to pick myself up by my bootstraps and say “I got this!!”, she (the author) sort of makes me feel like a social looser. Ā That’sĀ just my take.
Keep it Shut – Karen Ehman
What to say, when to say it, and when to keep your mouth shut. Ā Ok in contrast to the book above Karen did not make me feel like poo about myself. Ā She was real, relatable, and I took a lot away from this book. Ā This was one of those books, that I couldn’t stop telling people about. Ā This book was pretty much life changing for me. Ā If you struggle in this oversharing world we live in I suggest you get Ā yourself this book.
Now here is my list of books I’ve read at some point in my life and highly recommend you add to your Summer Reading List!
A few Book Series that I have loved are:
The Mark of the LionĀ series by Francine Rivers
1. Voice in the Wind
2. Echo in the Darkness
3. As Sure as the Dawn
I love Francine Rivers. Ā I know she’s not for everyone, but I have loved Ā every book I’ve read of hers, another favorite being Redeeming Love.
*Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs
I think to date there are four books. Ā I have only read the first, but my daughter has read all of them and loves them. Ā So if you are looking for something to read together with your teen…here ya go!
*The Yada Yada Prayer Group series by Neta Jackson – super easy reads, loved these books, and the characters in them!
Looking for a great series to read with you kids? Ā How about the Chronicles of Narnia books? Ā I didn’t read these until I was an adult, but they are some of my all time favorites!! Prince Caspian was my fave of this series.
I realize these two series have been over commercialized but I still loved them and they were super easy reads making them great summer reads!! Ā *Ā The Hunger Games series by Susan Collins and the *Divergent series by Veronica Roth.
All time favorite books, these are books if someone asks me, Ā “what is your favorite book?” I would say any one of these. Ā I don’t have one favorite book, it’s like picking a favorite child, how do you do that?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
*The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
*The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisolm
*Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
A Time to Kill by John Grisholm
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
*The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Ok I guess I better stop with ten! Oh but I forgot All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer…Love love loved!! And The Time Travelers Wife, and 11/22/63 and The Stand by Steven King, the list could go on and on.
Books I hope to read this summer are ==>
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
My Berlin Kitchen a love story with recipes by Luisa Weiss
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Thanks all the book sharing for now! Happy reading this summer!
I’m a little more than halfway through For the Glory: Eric Liddell’s Journey from Olympic Champion to Modern Martyr. It is even better than Unbroken. I hope you’ll read it.
Secrets of a Charmed Life was just okay for me. The author is coming to my church for an event later this summer.
I loved unbroken although it was long….I will have to add this one to my list! Enjoy the rest of your summer <3Sheila
Hi Sheila! LOVE this post – we have super similar reading habits! I just started the Nightingale, The Mark of the Lion is one of my all-time favorite series, and I’ve read several others on your “favorite books” list. I recommend seeing the movie of “Me Before You” and bring tissues. Going on vacation tomorrow for a few days, and can’t wait to get tons of reading done!
We will have to talk books over a glass of milk š next time I see you! Enjoy your vacation!
I just started Rebel Queen which after chapter 1 I am hooked. An easy beach read is The weekender. All time favorites have been The Rent Collector and also The Nightingale. Looking for an Olympic themed true story this summer then try The boys in the Boat which was very good. Thanks for sharing your list. Happy Reading
“Lady Jane” is what I am currently reading.
Best book of 2016 so far has been “When Breath Becomes Air” – Verghese writes the intro chapter.
I had When Breath…. in my hands but had to return to library before I read, best be going back for it! Happy reading this summer!
Just finished “The Nightengale” and loved it!! Loaned it to a neighbor, but you’re welcome to borrow next if you want! Also, recently finished “The Life We Bury” for bookclub, also very good if you like suspense. Currently reading “The Pearl that Broke its Shell” by Nadia Hashimi (set in Afghanistan)…so far, really like it! Thanks for all the suggestions!!
I love books about the middle east/afghan or pakistan. Loved the book A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Just finished “The Nightengale” and loved it! Loaned it to a neighbor but you can borrow next if you want! Also just read “The life we bury” for book club recently and if you like suspense, that was a great one too. Like you, I love books about other cultures, so I just started “The Pearl that Broke its Shell” by Nadia Hashimi (set in Afghanistan) and, so far really like it. I plan to read “The Light between Oceans” soon
My favorite book was a Goodreads suggestion from you, The Language of Flowers, I love this book.I love anything Lucinda Riley and I just finished (20 minutes ago) One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. Brene Brown is always a favorite but not a summer beach read. Thank you for suggestions!
Great list, my friend. Just finished All The Light We Camnot See, and it was SO good. One of my all time favorites. My summer list includes Me before You, Orphan Train, The 19th Wife, and The Secret Life of Bees. Love seeing what everyone is reading !
I have not read the 19th Wife, but the rest of your summer reads are all faves!! Happy Reading!
Great List! Why can’t summer and books last longer than 12 weeks? Currently reading: Inside the O’Briens. So far Good!
I love love love Mark of the Lion series! And have you read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers? For not, you should!! Also love Kensington Chronicles by Lori Wick. I’m a big fan of Vince Flynn and Daniel Silva.
This summer, I’m reading the Alexander Hamiltom bio by Ron Chernow, and when I need a break from that, I am working on The Secret Life of Bees. My to-read list is ridiculously long!!
yes I loved Redeeming Love! Thanks for your recs…now my reading list is even longer ;D
I am currently reading Lucky by Alice Sebold. The subject matter makes this memoir difficult to read, but it’s very engaging. I enjoy reading memoirs to try and understand what others have gone through and in hopes of learning a few life lessons along the way. One of my all time favorites was The Glass Castle. On my reading list for the summer are When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, and now, thanks to your list, The Bookseller of Kabul. I love to read about other cultures too and loved The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, so I have high hopes for this one!
I loved The Nightingale! by Kristen Hannah. I really don’t know if she will be able to top that book. And….I never read books 2x but think I will read it again!
Now I’m even more excited to read it! Might have to move it to the top of the pile. Have a great summer š
Sheila,
Thanks for this awesome list! I’ll be adding some to my own mile high pile! I recently read Secrets of a charmed life–loved. I’m currently reading A Man Called Ove. I’d love to read the The Nightingale as well. Molokai looks good to, so I’m going to try and get to that one soon. All the light we cannot see—so amazing!!! I was really surprised to hear your take on “For the Love”, that is one of my all time fav’s, and it’s not because I’m so awesome, on the contrary me=hot mess!! But I loved her humor and the message was good too. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Girl, I could talk about books all day! I miss you! I have an empty coffee cup with your name on it waiting to be filled. š
Thanks for chiming in! A Man called Ove is also on my list! Hope to see you soon!
I just finished reading “The Truth According to Us” by Annie Barrows (author of Guernesy Literary Potato Peel Society). I enjoyed it! It started out a little slow, but I fell in love with the characters.
Happy reading! š
I loved the Potato Peel Society book…adding this one to my list! Thanks, Sheila