It only took me about 30 years to finally enjoy reading. When I signed my kids up for the summer reading program at the library, I decided I probably should sign up to. Monkey see monkey do, right? I figured maybe if they saw me with books more often then they would start reaching for them too. However, when I first signed up, I really only had one book in mind that I knew I wanted to get. What would that mean for meeting the program’s goal for the adult reading program? They did lessen it this year to 10 hours of logged reading. But, I knew I needed to make a list of the things I wanted to read.
I took a dive through pinterest. I started looking at other people’s summer lists and seeing if anything caught my eye. I read the little plot summaries and picked ones that I felt eager about. Once I had my list, we went to the library. I wound up finding the first book I wanted and one that wasn’t on my list. The others I had on my list, my library didn’t have; either all copies were being used or they didn’t have it at all.
I finished my 2 books within 2 weeks. Mostly staying up and reading instead of aimlessly scrolling pinterest, watching Netflix, or spiraling into space. I looked up more book ideas once I finished the first two and we went back to the library. I left with 2 more books and then decided I should look into buying the others on my list.
First I checked on poshmark, but they were way overpriced for used books. Then I thought, maybe we should check out the Half Price Books store that’s close by. Then I remembered my best friend had mentioned she uses thriftbooks.com and I decided to check that out. They wound up having all but 1 of the books I was looking for and the prices were awesome! I also was able to add the book they didn’t have to my wish list that way if they do get it, I will be notified.
So I figured, maybe you like to read. Maybe you are looking for ideas on what to read. So, here is my summer reading list! So far I have finished 2 of them and about halfway through my 3rd.
The Handsmaid Tale by Margaret Atwood – This was the book I knew I wanted to start with. I really liked this one and couldn’t stop reading it. I am curious about the series. I am also wondering if I should get The Testaments before I even try to watch the series on Hulu. [I encourage you to leave me your opinions if you have any on this one]. >>It’s about this new society where the views of men and women are definitely not equal. Men are essentially the head of their house and are typically in an arranged marriage. If for some reason their wife is unable to have children, they bring a Handsmaid into the home. This book follows the story of one of the Handsmaid women.
Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven – This book was really good too. It was an easier read for me which was nice. I didn’t feel like I was having to backtrack to understand what was going on. You do have to pay attention to the start of each chapter as it does go back and forth between 2 of the characters. But, it was really good and I finished it quickly!
>>It is a story about two teenagers, a girl and a boy. One is reentering society after losing like 400 pounds. The other is trying to navigate life with prosopagnosia; a condition where you aren’t able to recognize people’s faces. A good kid, sometimes taken the wrong way with peer pressures and the inability to recognize his longtime on and off again girlfriend. Somehow the two very different teens, wind up in the after school program together.
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams – I am about halfway done with this one. It took a couple of chapters to grab my attention, but I am really enjoying it!
>>It’s set in the summer of the 1930s. It goes back and forth between about a 7 years time frame. Two college roommates that spend every summer with their families at their beach houses. One of them is popular and the other, not so much. The story, so far, seems to have some sort of love triangle going on.
All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein – I am very eager to read this holocaust survivor’s story. The copy I bought actually has an inscription on the title page that has me curious.
The One Hundred Years Of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin – This one is about a teenage girl that is in the terminal ward at a hospital. She winds up meeting this elderly woman that impacts her life immensely.
Girls Of July by Alex Flinn – A group of 4 very different girls wind up going on a month hiatus in the mountains together to escape their lives for a change.
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler – A plus size girl who’s best friend moves away. She experiences awkward times with boys, her body image, and her family that besides her is seen as picture perfect. That is, until a phone call changes everything.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng – This one was on Reese Witherspoon’s book list. It kept popping up all over pinterest when I was searching, so I figured I would give it a whirl.
>> A progressive superb of Cleveland where everyone lives by the rules. That is until Mia Warren moves to town. She is a single mother and an artist that is determined to uncover the town’s secrets, but at what cost?
Dead Girls Society by Michelle Krys – A young girl with cystic fibrosis that is sick of everyone treating her like she is fragile. She randomly gets an invitation from a group mysteriously called The Society, and she jumps at the chance for adventure. The only problem is, she finds out the hard way that this game is not a choice. It is a requirement.
A Totally Awkward Love Story by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison – It is the summer before going off to college and Hannah swears she has found the one. However, she only spent about 5 minutes with him and didn’t even catch his name. For Sam, the summer is off to a bad start. He met a girl that he fell head over heels for, but knowing his luck he won’t ever get to see her again. This story follows the both of them through their destinies with trouble and awkward love.
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – This book was also on every list it seemed like. It is a coming of age story with a twist of murder.
Depending on how fast I get through these, I have my eyes set on a couple more. The one that so far I cannot find anywhere is, The Getaway Girls by Dee MacDonald. And the other one is Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Dr. Caroline Leaf.
I am hoping to finish these by the time school starts in August, but I will also be happy to finish by time Fall hits. Maybe I will do a book review once I have gotten through them all. Let me know what you’re reading. If you have suggestions for me leave those for me too!
Oh! You can also use this link if you’re interested in thriftbooks.com to get 15% off your order as a new customer!
Happy reading!
Jenn
Reclaiming My Sanity 