summer reading favorites

it's about that time of year when high school kids everywhere are frantically cramming in their summer reading requirements and wishing they could be doing anything else. now that I'm an adult, things have really changed! I love having the opportunity to read during the summer, and am hoping to squeeze in just a few more books before school starts.

during the school year, I don't have much time to read for fun. teaching multiple novels at the same time, grading, and making lesson plans every night keeps a girl pretty busy. this summer, I made a goal to read as many books as possible to make up for lost time. thanks to my husband and I currently living the "cable-less" life, my goal was easily accomplished!

early in the summer I fell in love with Audible, a subscription based audio-book app for the iPhone. it was amazing to have while laying on a beach at St. John on my honeymoon! whether you're reading a book in the traditional style, viewing a book on an e-reader, or listening to a book while cooking in the kitchen, I highly recommend all of these titles.


my top five summer reading favorites, in no particular order:

1. The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown



if you enjoy Shakespearean references, love reading books, and have or want a sister, this is the book for you. the three Andreas sisters are all approaching thirty and have taken very different paths in their lives. they don't really get along, but one summer, when their family needs them most, they find themselves back in their childhood home. they learn to confront the problems they have been running from and to be comfortable with who they are.

2. Bossypants by Tina Fey



first of all, you MUST listen to this book. Tina Fey is the narrator for the audio recording, and I can't imagine hearing the book read any other way. a somewhat random series of hilarious and even heart-warming anecdotes about growing up and her experiences as a woman in the business world, this book will have you laughing uncontrollably while you're home alone as your dog looks at you like you've lost your mind (not that I speak from experience, or anything).

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett



I hate to be a book "band-wagoner," but the truth is, this book is just absolutely worth reading. Stockett gives a voice to a group of women who many of us have never heard from: the hired African American maids of Southern families in the 1960s. this book reminds us that you have to look beyond a person's exterior if you want to see who they really are and teaches us the importance of treating all people with compassion and respect. I enjoyed listening to it on audible because they used a different voice for each character, which made me connect with the characters on a much deeper level. my humble suggestion: read this BEFORE you see the movie!

4. Izzy's Fire by Nancy Wright Beasley



I really enjoy Holocaust literature. not because it is lighthearted or easy to read, but because it NEEDS to be read and the stories need to be remembered. this book was written by an American author who felt compelled to tell the story of Edna Ipson and her family, who were Holocaust survivors from Lithuania. "We led a simple, but meaningful life," is a quote from Izzy's Fire that inspires me daily. I highly recommend reading this book. you will be humbled and amazed by what faith and hope and love can do.

5. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley



I'm not one to seek out mystery books (although I was a huge Nancy Drew enthusiast as a kid), but this book is such a gem. Flavia de Luce, the main character, is a precocious, brilliant 11 year old girl who loves chemistry. when a murder occurs on the grounds of her family's home in the English countryside, she uses science and wit and her good sense of humor to help solve the mystery. Flavia is now one of my favorite literary characters (she just cracks me up!), and I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

note: thanks to my family & friends who gave me great book suggestions!

what other books do I need to squeeze in before school starts? all suggestions are welcome! :)