12 books on my Summer Reading List

One thing I’m very much looking forward to this summer is reading.

I usually read a few books during the summer, so that isn’t necessarily new. But the older I get the more I enjoy the quiet of reading good book. And the older the kids get, the easier it is for me to take an hour or two to get lost in my book.

For Mother’s Day, Ryan bought me two lounge chairs from Costco. They are not anything fancy, but they are my dream come true.

I put them in the middle of the front yard where it is especially sunny in the afternoons. Every chance I get, I’ll find my way out to those lounge chairs for a few minutes of warmth, quiet and pure bliss.

So this summer, you’ll likely find me lounging on my Costco chair out front with one of the following books.

(Before we jump in, I’ll give you a quick rundown of the types of books I typically gravitate to: I like historical fiction most of all. Close behind it are books with multiple characters that start out separate and find their stories intermingling by the end. And since it’s summer, I also like a non-serious just for fun read every now and then.)

Ready to see what’s on my reading list this summer?

Here you go …

Tailor Made

I heard a podcast interview with Alex Seely and knew I needed to read her book and be under her teaching. Identity is a big theme in my life right now and so this book is perfect. I’m actually listening to the audio version because I do better hearing these types of books than reading. Also, Ms. Seely has the most amazing Australian accent and that makes everything better.

The Forgotten Room

This one is a book with three generations of women and a story line that brings them all together. Just my style.

Summer Wives

There are mixed reviews on Amazon, but this book was on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide and I trust Anne so I’m going for it.

As Bright As Heaven

I have read almost all of Susan Meissner’s books (have you read Secrets of A Charmed Life? It was my favorite book of 2015). This is her newest and I’m looking forward to it.

Lies and Other Acts Of Love

Kristy Woodson Harvey writes southern novels and does it so well. I loved the first two in her Peachtree Bluff series (Slightly South of Simple and The Secret To Southern Charm).

The Last Painting of Sara de Vos

To be fair, I would not have picked this based on the cover. But when I read the summary, I was all in. Another cross-generations story about a forged Dutch painting that has me excited to read it already.

Garlic and Sapphires

I read this when Audrey was a newborn (she is now 8) and remember loving it. It is a light read and I like food memoirs and the author wrote my favorite book of 2017 (Delicious!) so I’m going to read it again.

Tell Me More

Confession: I’ve already read this one, too. I read it in one day in February while I was sick in bed. There is so much wisdom and humor and things that make you think. I like Kelly Corrigan’s memoir writing style and will read it again and take notes this time :). Warning: there is some language.

The Royal We

I mean, what’s not to love about a fictitious romance between the heir to the British throne and the girl he meets at university? It sounds oh, so familiar and like a Hallmark movie. My sister read it and said it was a fun read, so I’m in.

When Life Gives You Lululemons

The title is what got me. How clever is it?! This one is a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada (an oldie but goodie and only $1.99 on kindle!) and Revenge Wears Prada (never read it, so maybe I should before reading this third in the series). Just a silly beach read.

Cutting For Stone

This one was on my summer reading list in 2015 and I never got to it. So I’ll try it again this summer.

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry

Have you read A Man Called Ove? I listened to it on audio last year and loved it. This is a book by the same author. My oldest son has read it (I can’t remember if he liked it or not), but since I know we already have a paper copy, I figured I will give it a go. I’ve heard it is quirky and a little hard to get in to, but that the story is worth it. That is just how I felt about Ove, so I’m excited to start.

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All these good books makes me want to head outside on my chair and start reading!

Happy summer, my friends. Let’s read some good books.

What’s on your list this summer?