The Best Books of Summer 2017

I have not one, not two, but twenty-one bloggers here today who are just dying to share their summer favorites with you. Many of these books you'll recognize from all of the buzz this summer, but these bloggers want you to know that these are the books that you'll want in your reading stack.

And what I love about this list? It represents a range of genres and publishing dates, so not everything is new and there's something for every type of reader.

Let's get started, shall we?

Christine of Buckling Bookshelves Recommends: 

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

This was my pick for my August YA-for-Grownups book club meeting. Whenever it’s my turn, I choose an unread book from my shelves, so I never know for sure if I’ll like it, let alone the rest of book club! This turned out to be a new favorite of mine and I now want to dive into Donnelly’s entire backlist. I tend to appreciate characters in books more than plot and I think this is a perfect example of that. There are plenty of plot threads happening, but the people are just so real – flawed, struggling, conflicted, and there are no easy answers. Whether or not you usually read YA, if you like historical fiction, I highly recommend this book – the writing is excellent and it deserves all the awards and accolades it has received!

Hollie of Reading on the Run Recommends:

 Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

To even begin to tell you how important this book is feels overwhelming. Roxane Gay has written one of the most powerful memoirs I’ve ever read. Her honest, and raw perspective of her body and the world that she lives in with it can be difficult to read, but it SHOULD be read by everyone. As a woman, and a mother, this book felt so important for me. Being inside a woman's head is sometimes full of negative thoughts, and Roxane's perspective is encouraging that we as women are not alone. Then, being a mother... this is where it really taught me to stop that negative "body" talk, and just embrace who and what our body is... exactly what we want our children to do. Please do me a favour (I'm Canadian), and read this book, then pass it on to a friend!!

You can also find Hollie on Instagram @readingontherun.

Lori of The Novel Endeavor Recommends: 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give is the fictional account of Starr, a teenage girl who witnesses the murder of her best friend at the hands of a police officer. I read this earlier this summer and it still lingers in my mind. I enjoyed it because it tells the story from a perspective that many of those in the majority white culture never get to hear. Not only was it helpful from an ideological stand point, but I also loved it for the writing and the story itself.

You can also find Lori on Instagram @thenovelendeavor

Carla from Happiest When Reading Recommends: 

The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs

Literally the only thing we are guaranteed in this life – is death. Through my mama’s passing, I have learned to cherish the time I have…now. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring – I could get a terminal diagnosis, I could die in a car accident, I could have a heart attack – but I do have right now. I am breathing – in and out, in and out – and I will honor that miracle for what it is by appreciating this moment. This book provided the perfect comfort to my heart that is endlessly searching for pieces of my mama while I navigate this world without her physical presence. Our loved ones may be gone physically, but through our love and memories, we keep them alive and present in our hearts.

You can also find Carla on Instagram @happiestwhenreading

Jackie of Jackie Reads Books Recommends:

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

I read a ton of books this summer, but The Good Daughter was the novel that really caught my attention. The Good Daughter is a thriller and it doesn't take that description lightly. This is gritty and will have you cringing. I don't recommend it for sensitive readers or people who may have triggers, but if you can read through some pretty terrible and graphic scenes (and if you're reading thrillers, I think you can!), then you will love this one! I have yet to hear a negative review from any reader. I recommend that you read this and get as obsessed as I still am!

You can also find Jackie on Instagram @jackiereadsbooks

Gabriella of The Novel Nook Recommends:

Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips

I read SO many amazing books this summer, and one of the thrillers I absolutely loved was Fierce Kingdom. The story focuses on a mother and son who get trapped in a zoo during a mass shooting, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop! The mother/child relationship was a central part of the story, and it reminded me of the close bond my mom and I share, so that's one of the reasons I loved this book so much. Also, I got to meet Gin Phillips during her book tour, which was a highlight of my summer! Witnessing her passion for books and hearing her talk about this incredible story reminded me how special and life-changing literature is and how lucky we are to live in a world where amazing storytellers exist. Fierce Kingdom was beautiful, tense, and thrilling, making it the perfect summer read!

You can also find Gabriella on Instagram @thenovelnook.

Rachael of Reading Brings Joy Recommends: 

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve

I loved this book. The writing pulled me in instantly and the story was so readable. The main character Grace Holland is a wife, mother, friend, and daughter. I related to all of her roles because I fill each one of those roles too. She is something to everyone but does not realize her own strength until a fire that burns her coastal town tests her resolve and ability to survive. I read this book in two days time because I could not put it down. Every time I picked up the story I got so lost in Shreve’s writing. This is not a happy go lucky book, and to be perfectly honest it is a very depressing read but it done so well and the writing is very strong that you want to keep reading.

You can also find Rachael on Instagram @readingbringsjoy

Lindsay of Bibbidi Bobbidi Bookworm Recommends:

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall

I fell completely in love with Willow Havens, her mother Polly, and all the other characters in the eclectic mix provided by Kathy Hepinstall in The Book of Polly. From the very first chapter, we learn that Polly is not the average mother. Along with being very much older than her daughter’s classmates’ mothers, she has all the spunk and sass a reader could possibly hope for. From her feuds with the neighbors to her battle with the Bear (her term for cancer), it’s absolutely impossible not to be drawn completely into her story through Willow’s search for answers to the secrets her mother has kept locked away from her. When I read this book, I found myself clutching my side from laughter, gasping in surprise at some of Polly's actions, and wiping away the tears brought on by the pure heart of this book.

You can also find Lindsay on Instagram @bibbidibobbidibookworm.

Alexandra of Booked Up Blog Recommends:

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

If We Were Villains is one of those books that will make you want to stay up past your bedtime so you can finish reading it. (I know because I speak from experience.) This twisty and intriguing tale of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, and personality centers around Shakespeare and will leave you just as obsessed with his plays as his characters are. It is part homage to Shakespeare’s brilliance, part murder mystery, part coming of age, part confession. M. L. Rio uses Shakespeare’s plays as the basis of her novel, using their plots and character dynamics to build this tangled, yet intriguing tale of identity and belonging. It is one of those rare novels that made it to the "Page-Turners Club" and five star read status for me. Don't let the Bard scare you away from this one-I promise it's one that you can enjoy even if you aren't familiar (or even if you didn't enjoy) his works. I honestly could not stop talking about this book from the moment I picked it up until well after my book club discussion ended.

You can also find Alexandra on Instagram @bookedupblog.

Amber of Teachers Who Read Recommends:

Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder

I loved how deep this book was without being beyond the grasp of my ten-year-old fourth graders. Told from three perspectives: the main character named Marin, her adoptive mother and an owl, this book keeps the reader wondering, "Will Marin find her biological mothers? If she does find her, what will happen?" I cannot wait to use this book in my classroom this year!

You can also find Amber on Instagram @iowaamber.

Carol of Reading Ladies 

AND Lindsay of Literature with Lindsay Recommend:

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

Carol: This summer, my favorite read was Dreamland Burning for multiple reasons. If you love historical fiction, this is a great read for you. Given recent racial tensions in the news, Dreamland Burning is a timely read. In fact, Dreamland Burning would be a perfect companion read or flight pick to read alongside Jodi Picoult’s “Small Great Things.” In addition, Dreamland Burning is categorized as YA and lends itself to engaging and involving young people in important discussions about race. One of the most important reasons I loved Dreamland Burning is that Jennifer Latham’s transitions between two timelines and main characters is seamless. It flowed as one story in that I wasn’t distracted or disoriented by the changing perspectives or points of view. Throughout the story, I greatly admired and appreciated the author’s skill in creating smooth transitions. I must note that of the two story lines, I was more engaged with the past than the present. Once in a while a book (such as this one) will give me a book “hangover,” and readers who’ve experienced it will know what I mean! Dreamland Burning has everything I love about a 5 star read: captivating characters, unputdownable engagement, important and timely themes, substantial content, and beautiful writing. I highly recommend this for men and women, for older teens, and especially for thoughtful book club discussions.

You can find Carol on Instagram @readingladies_book_club

Lindsay: I loved the two perspectives of the main characters in this story. Since they were from different time periods it was exciting to see connections in their storylines. The ending had me on edge! Plus, I learned something new about an event in history that often gets overlooked.

You can find Lindsay on Instagram @litwithlindsay

Kayla of Read Voraciously Recommends:

The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley

The Bedlam Stacks is the perfect combination of adventure and folklore. Pulley writes with an impressive imagination and produces a tale brimming with heart, excitement and dedication that challenges our ideas of what is real.

You can also find Kayla on Instagram @readvoraciously.

Chelsea of Mama and Little Bookworm Recommends:

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is what summer reads are meant to be (at least for me)! It was a fun story that kept me interested, made me want to stay up late to keep reading and had me wondering about so many hollywood marriages (does this really happen!?).

You can also find Chelsea on Instagram @mamaandlittlebookworm.

Jamie of Fashion & Fiction Recommends:

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Packed with magic, illusion and danger, (and a little bit of love) this whimsical, fairytale-like YA novel was one I could not put down this summer. Though completely outside of my usual wheelhouse, I was quickly caught up in the world of Caraval and had to keep reminding myself, "Remember, it's only a game..." Now I'm patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for its sequel.

You can find Jamie on Instagram @jamiesfashionandfiction

Kirsten of Beyond the Bookends Recommends:

Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge

Castle of Water is a story about hope, loss, survival and love. Two strangers are stranded on a deserted island without any chance of rescue. They must work together to survive and overcome obstacles thrown their way. The writing is mesmerizing, the story captivates the imagination, and the characters became friends. I laughed, I cried, I could not put it down.

Jackie of Beyond the Bookends Recommends:

Hum if You Don't Know the Words by Bianca Marais

Hum if You Don't Know the Words is a brutally honest and emotionally compelling story, unlike anything I have ever read. This book is set in apartheid South Africa and features the 1976 Soweto uprising in which thousands of black students marched in protest of the apartheid government. The themes in the story are so relevant in today's world and sadly showcases how history repeats itself.

You can find Kirsten & Jackie on Instagram @beyondthebookends

Book Club Sunday Recommends:

The Dry by Jane Harper

The Dry was our book club's unofficial selection for the summer because we could not stop talking about it! In addition to being a thoroughly engrossing, page-turning mystery (though more of a character-driven slow burn than a thrill ride), it also had such a clear and transporting sense of place. We could literally feel the hot misery of the Australian drought as though we were there ourselves! We can't wait for the next book in the series and might have to make it an official book club selection this time!

On Instagram @bookclubsunday

Marwa of Unapologetic Writer Recommends:

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

It was a completely special novel. Nothing like I've ever read before. The writing style was so compelling and as a historical fiction novel, I never felt like the story was dragging. There was always something new happening, and the characters were extremely exquisite and constantly developing and unfolding before my eyes. 5/5!

You can also find Marwa on Instagram @seeminglymarwa

Andrea of Born and Read in Chicago Recommends:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I loved several new releases (that have received a lot of buzz) this summer. But, I thought it would be worthwhile to share my praise for this backlist gem. I have heard about this 'southern fiction' writer several times over the last year or so, but never picked up Sarah Addison Allen's books. I am far from Southern, and the covers didn't GRAB me. I finally gave Garden Spells a try for a light summer read and found it DELIGHTFUL. It's full of vivid and lovable characters - including a magical apple tree. Magic does play a part, but in a smart and engaging way. There are intense and provocative scenes that kept me turning the pages, as well as great humorous and romantic ones that made me laugh and smile wide. This would be a great pick for fans of Practical Magic or The Language of Flowers.

You can also find Andrea on Instagram @bornreadchicago.

Sara of Meaningful Madness Recommends:

I See You by Clare Mackintosh

This suspenseful thriller is centered around crime against women in the London subway. The book follows Zoe, the protagonist, after she sees a photograph of herself attached to a personals website called FindTheOne.com. In her quest to uncover why her photo appears in this ad, she realizes that other women are victims of a similar fate, and that several of the women are the victims of assault. I loved this book for a summer read, because it was a suspenseful, page turner. The multiple perspectives with short interludes by the mastermind behind FindTheOne.com add to the anticipation of the resolution of Zoe's story. The audio version of this book is fantastic.

You can also find Sara on Instagram @meaningfulmadness

***

What was your favorite read from this summer?

(P.S. You can find all of these wonderful bookworms and their blogs over on the blogroll on the right hand column of Top Shelf Text. I highly suggest browsing their sites when you have some time to spare!)

Review: Watch Me Disappear

image via Goodreads

Here's what you should know about my life (or the life of any teacher) in June: it is pure chaos. Between attempting to wrangle my children for the last 10 days of school, checking off all my end-of-year tasks, packing up my classroom, recycling all the things...I mean, you get it, right? 

It's insanity.

Thank goodness for a good book. Because although June is the least relaxing month of the year, it's one of my favorites for reading. I love the transition into summer reading lists, the chatter between friends about the books that you must get to this summer, and the light at the end of the tunnel that is my promise land -- reading, interrupted, on the beach for an entire day (or five).

All this to say that if you have a day of uninterrupted beach/reading time in your schedule this summer, I highly recommend that you bring along Watch Me Disappear. Not only is the cover design perfectly suited for summer reading -- the words on the page are sure to keep you captivated, as they did for me when I read this book cover-to-cover on a recent Sunday afternoon.

Watch Me Disappear tells the story of the Flanagan family. One year ago, Olive Flanagan's mother, Billie, disappeared while hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. Though her body was never found, Olive and her father Jonathan mourn her loss. In that year of grief, Olive withdraws into herself while Jonathan writes a memoir of their perfect love story, aided by one too many afternoon drinks. As Jonathan battles the courts to get the official death certificate for his wife, Olive is not entirely convinced that her mother is dead. Her evidence? She's been having visions of her mother, and she's convinced they are really telepathic messages. Jonathan, worried about his child's mental well-being, takes a second look into Billie's disappearance, and soon comes to find that his wife wasn't exactly the saintly stay-at-home mom and doting wife that he describes in his memoir.

This book isn't ground-breaking in it's ideas, but it was certainly a page turner and one that fits so well into that category of dysfunctional family/psychological thriller. I would describe it as similar to Where'd You Go Bernadette but without the humor and with more of a psychological element. I don't want to say much more (you know, spoilers are hard to avoid with this genre), but I would most definitely recommend adding this to your summer reading list.

This title will be released on July 11, 2017.

Bottom-Line Rating: 4/5

Title: Watch Me Disappear

Author: Janelle Brown

Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2017

Price: $20 to preorder on Amazon

ISBN: 0812989465

Format: E-book

Source: Net Galley

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

More Summer Reading Lists!

Is your summer reading list growing out of control already? 

No? 

Just me, then.

School is officially out (we wrapped up the year just yesterday) and I am both incredibly sad about having to say goodbye to my students, mentors, and friends, and incredibly excited for a few weeks of non-existent to-do lists and the beginning of a new chapter! More on that later.

If you're still looking for books to add to your stack of summer reads, I've rounded up a bunch of lists from some of my favorite book bloggers and fellow bookworms. If your list is already monstrous (like mine), then you might want to look away. This post is not going to help you narrow anything down because it is chock-full of even more alluring reads.

I recently posted my 2016 Summer Reading Challenge and Kids' Summer Reading Challenge, both of which I'm completing this summer (along with trying to read most of the summer reading recommendations for my students). I recognize that I'm not the best at completing reading challenges or sticking to my TBR lists, but I'm trying my best to make this summer more about intentionally reading. For that reason, I'm thinking about times of the day when I tend to be scrolling on my phone or watching mindless television, and replacing those moments with time spent reading (or listening to) a book.

I wanted to share a few summer reading lists that I've bookmarked for myself this year, so that you can have even more options when it comes to crafting your own list for this summer.

17 Big, Fat Books for Your Summer Reading // Modern Mrs. Darcy is one of my favorite sites for finding new reads, and Anne's podcast is also my top pick to listen to when I head out for a long walk. I definitely have a few books on this list that I'd like to read, and I think Anne's right when she says that there's no better time for a behemoth of a book than in the summer.

2016 Summer Reading Guide from Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy) // Each year, Anne puts together an extremely cultivated and organized summer reading guide. This is the first year that I've browsed it thoroughly, and you can bet that I'll be using it to fill some of the categories for my own challenge this year. (She also has a yearlong reading challenge that is similar to mine in its flexibility). Anne reads hundreds of books (no joke) to make this list, so you know that when she recommends a book, she really means it.

100 Picture Books to Read This Summer // Janssen is another favorite book blogger of mine. She used to be a children's librarian and is now a stay-at-home mom, so you know she's got the knowledge to pick great books for your kids this summer. I'm taking this list with me to my next book sale to scope out titles for my classroom next year, and of course, I'll be using it to influence my library picks all year long.

Your Ultimate Summer Reading List from Real Simple Magazine // This is a favorite publication of mine, so I definitely trust their judgement. There's quite a few books on here that I haven't heard of before too!

ALSC Summer Reading List // This is a great resource for summer reading lists tailored to specific age groups. I'd recommend printing it out and bringing it to the library with you this summer! This is the list that I'll be following to keep up with my students' recommended summer reading.

Education World's Summer Reading Lists & Booktivities // This is another great resource for parents/teachers and also includes ideas for activities to keep kids excited about reading!

Review: All the Missing Girls

{on Goodreads}

When I recently took a trip south to visit my brother for spring break, I read The Girl on the Train and it reminded me how much I enjoy a good thriller (that is, if I'm reading it in the daytime). I recently went looking for more books along that same vein because I think it's the perfect genre for long days at the beach or the pool. I didn't find anything that caught my eye until I came across All the Missing Girls. I was so glad to receive a copy for advanced review, and let me tell you, this book absolutely satisfied my craving for a good thriller! If you're a fan of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, I highly recommend this to you when it's published on June 28th.

Like many books in this genre, I don't want to say too much for fear of giving it away, but I'll give you the basic rundown on the plot. Our protagonist, Nic, left her tiny hometown ten years ago after the tragic disappearance of her best friend, Corinne. Nic settled into the big city, found a job and a wealthy, handsome fiancé, and tried to forget about Cooley Ridge. She's forced to return, however, when her father's health declines and she's put in charge of selling his house. Shortly after she arrives back in her hometown, another young girl goes missing. Nic is forced to relive the disappearance of her best friend all those years ago as ties between the two cases are discovered and once again suspicion is cast on the few people that she cares about in her small hometown.

What makes this book stand out from others in this genre is not the plot itself -- missing girl, throwbacks to teenage romance and jealousy, a girl returned to the place that she fought so hard to leave -- but in the way that it's told. When the novel begins, we see Nic returning to her childhood home, but suddenly the book flashes forward and we're seeing the story unfold backwards, from Day 15 of the missing girl's case to the day she disappeared. You might think that this would be disorienting -- and it was, a little -- but I felt that it really enhanced my ability to experience that same kind of foggy confusion that the characters felt as they tried to identify the culprit. I was actually stunned when all was revealed, and because I read the book so quickly (as I tend to do with thrillers), I walked around with a dazed look for hours afterwards. I promise you, this book does not disappoint. I think this would make a great book club pick for this summer, and I'm using it to fulfill the "read one new bestseller" category of my summer reading challenge because I can bet you it'll climb the most popular list this year.

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Title: All the Missing Girls

Author: Megan Miranda

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2016

Price: $16 when you pre-order on Amazon

ISBN: 1501107968

Format: Advanced Review Copy, E-book

Source: NetGalley

Note: Top Shelf Text was provided with a copy of this text by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

Kids' Summer Reading Challenge

Back again with a new summer reading challenge, and this time it's for the littles in your life! I made this challenge with only four categories because I wanted children to feel successful with it -- no matter what level they're reading at! It should be fun and easy to rise to this challenge. In addition to my grown-up summer reading challenge, I'll be reading children's literature to fulfill these categories too, so I've included some suggestions for middle grade novels (my biggest area of expertise) in each category below, however, this challenge could easily be met with picture books or with early chapter books as well.

You can download the PDF version here.

#1: Read a book that takes place in a far-off land (real or imaginary)
This is a category that my always growing to-read stack could easily fulfill. I love fantasy books, so I'm going to take it in that direction with Alistair Grimm's Odditorium, which I was given last summer and still haven't read. I also just purchased Gail Carson Levine's Fairest, so that's a contender for this category too.

My recommendations: 
Hunt for the Pyxis by Zoë Ferraris
Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson
House of Secrets by Chris Columbus

#2: Read a non-fiction book about something or someone that you find interesting
For this one, I'd like to read the Young Reader's Edition of I am Malala, a young woman whom I find both inspiring and interesting. I really haven't read too many memoirs or biographies for kids, but I'm thinking Roald Dahl's autobiography might be a good pick too.

#3 Read the first book in a new series
I'm hoping to read The Ability for this, which is a highly rated fantasy series that I've had my eye on for a while. I have a ton of middle grade series listed on my middle grade shelf on Goodreads, if you're looking for a selection to choose from. I highly recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. They are two of my absolute favorites.

#4 Read a book about a book
This is always a favorite category of mine. (I even wrote a whole list of books about books for adults!) I recommend The Forbidden Library, but Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is a favorite among my students so I think I'll be reading that one this summer, along with Book Scavenger. (All three of these books could work for the first book in a series category too!)


I'm in the camp of teachers who believe that it doesn't really matter what your child is reading this summer, as long as they are reading a lot!! Reading is such a great way for kids to relax (screen-free) during the summer time, and buddy-reading with your kids can be a catalyst for great conversations. If you're looking for other ways to make reading fun this summer, you can read my post from a few years ago here.


I'm realizing I have a whole lot of books on my to-read list for this summer, so you can bet that I'm officially starting on that list this weekend! If you're looking for picks tailored to the little in your life (or for yourself), feel free to shoot me an e-mail at topshelftext@gmail.com!

Happy Reading!
-Madeleine-

Summer Reading Challenge

Because summer is only three (three!!!!) weeks away for me, I'm already anticipating which books I should put on my library holds list leading up to my first day of summer.

 I'm looking forward to summer for so many reasons, one of them being more time to read whatever I want. I'm thinking it'll be fun to challenge myself a little bit, so I've put together a summer reading list that's flexible and easy for you to use too! Next week I'll post a summer reading challenge specifically for kids, but I think this is flexible enough that it could be used by readers of all ages. I'll include suggestions for children's literature to fit the list next week, but this week I wanted to include some of the books that I'm thinking about using to fulfill these seven categories.

You can download the PDF version of the challenge here.

One: A Book that Features the Sea

I couldn't resist putting this on the list. If you know me in real life (or follow me on Instagram), you'll know that the ocean is close to my heart. I love living near the water and genuinely feel a huge difference when I'm away from it for long periods of time. Summer is the perfect time to spend hours at the beach with a book in hand, so I thought this was the perfect category to kick off my challenge.

I'm thinking I might fill this category with Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World, which has been on my list since I included it on March's Currently Coveting list, although I've also had Isaac's Storm on my to-read list for quite some time.

My recommendations for this category:
The Fossil Hunter by Shelley Emling
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Terror by Dan Simmons
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan

Two: A Book Recommended by Your Best Friend

I know you probably have more than one best friend, so ask for recommendations from all of them and then take your pick! For this, I asked two of my besties for their recommendations. My bestie the high school civics teacher recommended Revolutionary, which is the story of one women who disguised herself as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. That she gave me a historical recommendation is not surprising, but she compares it to Mulan, which is a favorite Disney movie of ours so that's motivating me to read it. Another friend who is a speech language pathologist recommended the first in the Georgia Nicolson series, because she says everyone needs a silly YA book on their summer reading list and the wit and charm of this British series perfectly fits that need. I'll probably end up reading both books since they're so different.

Three: A Book that You've Been Meaning to Read

I have so many books that could fit this category, so I'm going to leave it open for myself. I have a couple books in mind, including Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings, Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. 

Four: The First Book in a Series

I've been meaning to read the Lunar Chronicles since the fall, so I'll be filling this category with Cinder, but I have a few other series that I'd like to begin too, so it's possible that I'll be starting more than one series this summer.

My recommendations:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

Five: A New Bestseller

I'll be sure to let you know when I discover which of the summer's most popular books is going to be on my reading list, but this category is definitely one that I'll have to think about for a bit longer because it requires browsing summer reading lists -- something that I savor when I have the time to do it.

Six: A Work of Classic Literature

I've been slowly working on reading more of the classics, but I'm the first to admit that they're not the first books I reach for when perusing a shelf. I'm still wanting to read more of Jane Austen's novels, having only finished Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility (and about half of Emma before abandoning it), so I may pick another one of her's to read this summer. I'm also thinking I may take another crack at Jane Eyre, which I read in college but didn't love at the time.

Seven: A Nonfiction Book about an Unfamiliar Topic

I'm super picky about my nonfiction picks, so this is another category that I'm leaving completely open for myself. I usually only read nonfiction when I happen upon a book or see one recommended by several sources. 

Here are a few that have caught my eye:

The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic that Shaped Our History by Molly Caldwell Crosby

The Killer of Little Sheperds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglass Starr

My Summer Reading List {Part II}

If you missed the first installment of this year's summer reading list, then start by clicking here. This summer I'm pulling books from my own shelves in an effort to check off some books that I've been meaning to read for quite some time. So far I've been getting in a lot of extra reading time and loving every minute.

Onto the list, which I'm trying to keep to a reasonable number of books. In reality, I won't get to all of these, and I'll definitely be adding more to the pile from the library, but I like having a general plan to go off of. I'm hoping that you might be able to find something here too!

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

The Invention of Everything Else by Samantha Hunt

In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Have any recommendations? See anything you'll be adding to your own summer reading stack?

Happy Reading!

-Madeleine-

Review: The Swan Thieves

{Click here to view it on Goodreads}

I believe I've mentioned here before that Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian is one of those books that I look back on with reverence. I included it on my list of best books to read in October. This is her second novel, and it's been on my shelf for years. I tried reading it once before but must have picked it up at the wrong time because I couldn't find that connection between myself and the characters-- and with over 500 pages to this story, that connection is necessary. I brought it to my new apartment on a whim--it was the first book I picked up for my summer reading-- and this time I was able to fall right into the story. It's one of those books that's a little hard to explain, on account of a plot with a rather large mystery and a cast of characters that weave in and out through time, creating this wonderful sense of blurred lines between past and present. Dr. Marlow is a successful psychiatrist-- he has a quiet life, a painting hobby, and an ordinary client list-- until he is asked to care for Robert Oliver, a rather famous painter who has been institutionalized after attacking a painting at the National Gallery. Marlow's interest in the mysteries of Robert Oliver lead him to go beyond the limits of a typical doctor-patient relationship as he searches for the answers to Robert's illness. The book one of many perspectives-- split between Marlow's journey and the life of a French Impressionist in the 19th century, and every character is an artist in some way. The tribulations of the past are brought forefront, creating this sense of fear for what's to come and despair over knowing that the tragedy has already come to pass. Marlow must sift through history to uncover Robert's secret, revealing a new perspective on Robert's mental illness and casting it as a beautiful obsession with art. I'd recommend it for readers who enjoy reading about art (and who find it romantic), and for those who like their mysteries uncovered slowly and left half-hidden in shadows. The only flaws that I found in it were that the descriptive style can get a bit overbearing--if you like your authors to be concise, Kostova is definitely not for you. If you haven't read anything by Kostova yet, read The Historian first, then pick up The Swan Thieves, I highly recommend adding both to your shelf.

Bottom Line Rating: 4/5

Title: The Swan Thieves

Author: Elizabeth Kostova

Publisher: Little Brown & Co., January 2010

Price: $4 from Better World Books

ISBN:1847442404

Format: Hardcover

Source: Personal collection

My Summer Reading List {Part I}

I recently moved into a new apartment and had to face that daunting task of choosing which books to bring with me. This is one of the hardest parts about moving, if you ask me, because it forces me to predict my reading preferences for the foreseeable future. That's not to say that the books on my shelf are my only options for the next few months-- I lived a two-minute walk from the library and also rely on my Kindle when I'm in a reading rut-- but still I like being able to just grab one from my shelf as I get into bed each night. As I packed up a few boxes of books for my new place, I decided to challenge myself to create a little summer reading list. I've really been trying to spend less on books in general, so I pulled books that I haven't read (or want to re-read) from my own shelf. 

Below you'll find my picks for this summer (although this doesn't include any of the library books that I will inevitably add to the list over time).

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova // I just finished this one a few nights ago, so keep an eye out for a review soon! This one is for fans of dual narration, historical fiction, and art fiction. 

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain // I picked this one up so long ago but still haven't read it because I felt like it was going to be perfect for a summer read.

The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holberg // You saw this one in my June Currently Coveting. I actually put off reading it because I'm so sad that it's going to be the last in the series. I just love these characters and the world that Holmberg has built. I'm about half-way through it now and already strongly recommend it to fans of the first two in the series.

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis // You're going to see a trend here: a lot of books that were really, really popular a few years ago, and that's because I never got around to reading them. 

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd // Another Oprah pick, because let's be honest, she has great taste in books.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling // Is a summer reading list complete without at least one Harry Potter? Definitely not. I absolutely love plopping down in my comfy reading chair and diving into this series. I have that hands-down-best-books-ever feeling when I think about how much this series has impacted my life as a reader. You can read a little more about my sentimentality for this series here.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker // This is my newest book and it looks like a good one to bring on a vacation or pick up when you have time to fall completely into a book. Here's the line that made the difference between putting it back on the shelf or tucking it into the crook of my arm and heading to check out: "On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray." What a hook. I can't wait to read it.

That's all for now-- I don't want this post to turn into my longest ever-- so check back next week for Part II!

Happy Reading!

-Madeleine-