Book Club: My Summer Reading List

This time of year, I start having deep rooted feelings of dislike towards two people who I love – my son and daughter. They don’t deserve my wrath or short tempered responses, but that’s what they get when they begin flaunting their countdown calendars until Summer break in my face.

Only 24 Days!

You know what I can look forward to in 24 days? I get to continue to work, keep taking care of kids (without the structure of school), and still spend most weekends at the baseball field. As my children run out the door headed to the pool with friends or to some day of freedom and fun starting in June, I may or may not slam the door slightly harder than normal behind them. I don’t feel good about it, but these are the things that happen when jealousy rears its ugly head. Yes, I said it. I’m jealous of my children and if I’m being real, I’m jealous of their teachers and anyone else who gets to take the Summer off. 

SummerReading ListAlthough I won’t be spending the entire Summer with my toes in the sand or lounging by the pool on a daily basis, I do hope to carve out some time on a few planned trips or an evening by the pool to enjoy a good book. I have no explanation for why, but books just tend to just read better over the summer.

To prepare myself in advance, I’ve begun compiling a list of books I intend to read over the next few months even if I’m not currently on a school’s out and I’m free countdown.

Is the Book Always Better Than the Movie?

You certainly could see these movies without ever picking up the book, but if you’re anything like me, you might decide to add these to your reading list in preparation for what appears to be some really great movies coming out over the Summer and into Fall.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – I’m officially admitting to all of you that I didn’t make it through this entire book the first time I began reading it. Go ahead and judge. I can take it. Since so many people continue to tell me how amazing this book is, I plan to revisit it because any movie with Ben Affleck is a must see in my book. Pun intended.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – I know, I know…How have I not read this book? I honestly don’t know, but I hope it lives up to the hype and doesn’t turn me into a blubbering, sad mess. Teenagers in love with cancer… I’m actually already crying.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper – Tina Fey? Yes! Jason Bateman? Absolutely! Oh, and the book looks great as well. A funeral forcing dysfunctional family members to work out a few issues is my favorite kind of read and puts this book at the top of my list.

The Next in a Series of Good Books

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare – Let’s all just pretend that City of Bones movie never happened. This an amazing series of books written by a very talented Author.

12th of Never (Women’s Murder Club #12) by James Patterson – I know. Is there a week that goes by when James Patterson doesn’t release a new book? I’m not a huge fan of all of his books but this particular series has kept my attention for years. Plus, I just learned that # 13 comes out this month, so it’s time to get caught up!

Authors – New and Old

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty – As the Author from our debut Book Club novel, Moriarty holds a special place in my heart. Since finishing The Husband’s Secret, I’ve been looking forward to reading her other books and the summer seems like the perfect time to discover more of her work.

Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham – I’ve loved Graham as an actress for years, so I’m eager to see if her wit and personality shine on the page of her very first novel.

Second Chance by Jane Green – Though some of the reviews I read were suspect, this makes up everything I like in a good summer read – lifelong friends reunited after years to tell a story of true friendship and family.

There you have it! My summer reading list! What’s on your list while lounging by the pool, sitting in the sand, or just living your normal life but sneaking away for a quick read like me this summer?

 

Christie Pettus
Christie Pettus is a full time working wife and mother living her suburban cul de sac dream in Orange Park, Fl. She is Mom to two awesome teenagers, McKenzie and Ethan, who have come to accept that certain parts of their lives will be blogged about, so they should act accordingly. As graduates of the University of Florida, she and her husband Ryan can be found rooting on their alma mater every chance they get including the more obscure sports. LaCrosse anyone? When she’s not judging her kids' questionable teenage choices, she can be found hiding in a room buried in a good book or writing, editing, and dreaming about being a full-time author.

3 COMMENTS

  1. I recently bought a kindle paperwhite so that I can read at the pool easier this summer. Yes, you know I’m one of those people you don’t like who have the summer off…actually, I have the year off since I’m technically a SAHM (although my husband would love for me to go back to work full time). I am currently reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I’ve read the first 3 books in the series but a few years ago, but since it’s going to be a Series on Starz this summer, I wanted a refresher. It’s a huge book (896 pages) and is written with a Scottish accent, therefore it will take me a few weeks to get through. I just finished the Wool Series which I enjoyed. I also recently read Where’d You Go, Bernadette for another book club.

    On my list of books to read, I am also anticipating the next book in the Mortal Instrument series (that movie was horrible). I have resisted reading The Fault in Our Stars because I’m afraid I’ll be a bawling idiot, but I’m sure I’ll cave in at some point. I also heard mixed things about Gone Girl so I haven’t read that one yet. Someone in a book club recommended The Gospel of Loki (based on Thor’s brother). And someone else recommended Let’s Pretend This Never happened: A Mostly True Memoir. I would also like to finish reading the Legend Series.

    My neighborhood’s book club plans to read: The Orphan Train, The Paris Wife, and 12 Years a Slave.

  2. All the books you’ve recommended so far have been great! (Loved, The Rosie Project—just didn’t read along with the club) Thanks for your suggestions! Always sad when one ends….and anxious to start another!

  3. Thanks Nancy! We will do a poll in the next couple of weeks to pick the next Book Club book so make sure you look out for that!

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