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June 15, 2016 ·

2016 Summer Reading List

Book Club· entertaining· Fellowship· giveaway

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Thank you all for sharing your summer/ favorite books! The winner is ERIN!  Erin I will email you soon and get your gift certificate from Barnes and Nobles to you asap!   (PS is used random.org to randomly choose a winner!)

It’s officially summer.  Friday was the last day of school for my kiddos.  The  pool is open. The fridge is stocked.  Flowers are planted.  The laundry is already mountainous.  YaHOO!  Time to read!!Summer 2016 Reading List from Eat2gather.net

What makes a book good for summer reading?  Well everyones definition of that is probably different.  My definition of a good summer read, is something easy, not too deep, not too long.  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.  So with all that said, some of these books that I’m suggesting may not fit perfectly into that definition,  the books that do I’m going to put an * asterick by.  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.  Or leave me sticky notes to make purchases from Amazon…nice.  I love that my kids read.  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 post/list. I’ll try not to get too rambley.  You may remember, I made myself a GoodReads 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!).  I am so behind!  I’ve read 8 books, I should be reading my 12th right now to be on track..erg!

If you’re not on goodreads, you really should be!  If you are a reader and you have a smart phone download the app.  It’s such a great way to keep track of what you’ve read, and see what others are reading.  Friend me on GoodReads!!

2016 Summer Reading List from Eat2gather.netOk let’s get to it.  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. 

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.  If you like the books  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.  I loved this book.  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.  First you should know I love historical fiction.  I spent many an hour googling Molokai, leprosy, and the likes while reading this book.  I loved this book!  And highly recommend you read it.  I literally could not put it down, it fascinated me.

*For the Love – Jen Hatmaker
Fighting for grace in a world of impossible standards.  Maybe I’ve read too many books along this line of helping to better my relational skills, and learn to love others more efficiently.  I don’t know.  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.  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.  That’s just my take.

Keep it Shut – Karen Ehman
What to say, when to say it, and when to keep your mouth shut.  Ok in contrast to the book above Karen did not make me feel like poo about myself.  She was real, relatable, and I took a lot away from this book.  This was one of those books, that I couldn’t stop telling people about.  This book was pretty much life changing for me.  If you struggle in this oversharing world we live in I suggest you get  yourself this book.

 

2016 Summer Reading List from Eat2gather.netNow 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 Lion series by Francine Rivers
1. Voice in the Wind
2. Echo in the Darkness
3. As Sure as the Dawn
I love Francine Rivers.  I know she’s not for everyone, but I have loved  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.  I have only read the first, but my daughter has read all of them and loves them.  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?  How about the Chronicles of Narnia books?  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 the series to be precise 😉

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!!  * The Hunger Games series by Susan Collins and the *Divergent series by Veronica Roth.

 

2016 Summer Reading List from Eat2gather.netAll time favorite books, these are books if someone asks me,  “what is your favorite book?” I would say any one of these.  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.

 

Best Beach Reads from Eat2gather.netBooks 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

That is two a month, so hopefully I can at least do that!   I’ll let you know!

 

Now it’s your turn to share!

2016 Summer Reading List from Eat2gather.net

If you do you could WIN a Barnes and Nobles Gift Card from meeeee.

What are you reading? What are a few of your favorites?  Whats on your reading list for the summer? Leave me a comment with your summer reads and I will choose one of you, randomly of course, to win a $25 gift card from Barnes and Nobles booksellers!

Rules: (ugh this is why I don’t do giveaways much) Ok rules are share your favorite reads below in the comments, share this post, share as many as 3 times, and next Wednesday, June 22 I’ll pick a winner!!  Hope it’s you!

Happy Reading!! Sheila

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christine says

    June 16, 2016 at 6:18 am

    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! 🙂

    • Sheila says

      June 16, 2016 at 10:03 am

      I loved the Potato Peel Society book…adding this one to my list! Thanks, Sheila

  2. Chellie says

    June 16, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    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. 😉

    • Sheila says

      June 16, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      Thanks for chiming in! A Man called Ove is also on my list! Hope to see you soon!

  3. Marilyn says

    June 17, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    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!

    • Sheila says

      June 18, 2016 at 7:56 am

      Now I’m even more excited to read it! Might have to move it to the top of the pile. Have a great summer 🙂

  4. Erin says

    June 19, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    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!

  5. Bekah says

    June 21, 2016 at 10:25 am

    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!!

    • Sheila says

      June 21, 2016 at 10:39 am

      yes I loved Redeeming Love! Thanks for your recs…now my reading list is even longer ;D

  6. Demetria says

    June 21, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Great List! Why can’t summer and books last longer than 12 weeks? Currently reading: Inside the O’Briens. So far Good!

  7. Michelle says

    June 21, 2016 at 11:37 am

    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 !

    • Sheila says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:44 am

      I have not read the 19th Wife, but the rest of your summer reads are all faves!! Happy Reading!

  8. Anna says

    June 21, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    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!

  9. Tracy says

    June 21, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    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

  10. Tracy says

    June 21, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    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!!

    • Sheila says

      June 23, 2016 at 10:43 am

      I love books about the middle east/afghan or pakistan. Loved the book A Thousand Splendid Suns.

  11. Jen Bement says

    June 21, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    “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.

    • Sheila says

      June 29, 2016 at 7:59 am

      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!

  12. Jennifer Kok says

    June 22, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    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

  13. Sara Romenesko says

    June 23, 2016 at 11:04 am

    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!

    • Sheila says

      June 29, 2016 at 7:57 am

      We will have to talk books over a glass of milk 😉 next time I see you! Enjoy your vacation!

  14. Kirstin says

    July 6, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    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.

    • Sheila says

      July 7, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      I loved unbroken although it was long….I will have to add this one to my list! Enjoy the rest of your summer <3Sheila

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