Savor Summer -- Great Summer Reads

Ah, summer reading. I love reading any time of the year, but there's something about summertime. In the summer it seems as if there's a bit of freedom to read anything. Light beachy reads, classics you've never read before, old favorites.

"I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once."
                              --C.S. Lewis

(I couldn't agree more with that quote. This spring I re-read Anne of Green Gables and Coming Home and enjoyed visiting with old friends.  Do you have favorites you like to re-read every year?).

A few years ago when we went on vacation I bought a handful of paperbacks at a secondhand bookstore before we left (a couple were even from the $1 cart). I spent nearly every moment (when I wasn't beachcombing or dog walking or eating or sketching) reading... in the car on the way there, on the ferry, on the deck of the lake house... I read 3 books that vacation and I enjoyed each one. When I think about them now, they all seem summery to me:

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver (my favorite of her books is The Lacuna)
Local Girls by Alice Hoffman (I think my favorites by her are The Story Sisters and The Third Angel)

If you're going on vacation it's fun to leave a paperback book in the hotel or cabin where you're staying for someone else to enjoy. Easy to do when you pick them up from a used bookstore.

Recently I've been on a roll reading good books. Sometimes I like everything I read and at other times nothing seems to click. Does that happen to you, too?

summer reading, Sue Monk Kidd, The Invention of Wings, quilts, grass, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Here are some I've enjoyed recently:
Looking to find more suggestions? In February I shared some favorites from what I'd read over the past year and asked for suggestions from my readers. There were many of great recommendations in the comments (Thank you!!!) so go take a look at that post if you haven't already. I love getting a good book discussion going.

If you're looking for booklists or other recommendations, I've pulled together a few great resources (please let me know in the comments if you have other favorite sources for finding books to read!):
Plus, take a look at Simone's Savor Summer book post for even more ideas.

What books have you enjoyed lately?

Comments

  1. Wow Anne! So many great links and suggestions. I will have to go through them with a fine tooth comb! On my blog I mention the Moomin books written by Tove Jansson but I absolutely could not 'get' her novels written for adults. It was as though a different author had written them and I was disappointed. I am really looking for something new to read and I am sure to find something in your suggestions above. I hope you get a chance to read this weekend. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Simone! Glad you're playing along on your blog, too! It's funny when an author who writes for both children and adults has vastly different styles.

      Very little reading this weekend, but maybe sometime this week. Hope you've had lots to savor!

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  2. I finished The Invention of Wings a week before the Charleston tragedy and was struck by the intersection of historical fiction and current events. One of the best books in ages...
    Thanks for these suggestions.
    Check out Soulemama's blog for another great book convo! http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2015/07/books-books-and-more-books.html

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    1. Thanks for the link, Karen! :) I haven't been keeping up with my blog reading and did not see the Soule Mama post.

      The Invention of Wings was so good. What interesting timing on your part. In some ways I think we've moved so far forward and then I wonder if that's really the case.

      Hope you're finding lots to savor during your full, full days!

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  3. PS Just started James Rebanks' book The Shepherd's Life...all about his adventures in England's Lake District, one of the most gorgeous places on the planet.

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  4. I love to read during summer. Nothing like making a glass of iced tea and heading outside for the swing for a few hours. I get lost when I read (most of the time - if it click's like you say).

    Right now I'm reading Extreme Paranormal by Marcus F. Griffin. You know I'm into the paranormal and this is just a collection of his stories from a paranormal investigator and his team who happen to be witches. I'm almost finished with it and it's been entertaining enough. I have another book waiting in the wings called Encounters with Flying Humanoids by Ken Gerhard.

    So fun to see what everyone is reading.

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    1. Those sound fun, Jaime! Have you read the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison? That's one of my favorites with witches and werewolves and vampires and such.

      Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are finding lots to savor this summer!

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  5. Great list of books, thank you. I am always looking for more book ideas. :-)
    I recently finished Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer ~ very good!

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    1. I love Joan Bauer!! Rules of the Road is so good. I hope you've read her other books. Hope was Here is one of my favorites of hers.

      Hope you're finding lots to savor!

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  6. Beautiful summer, beautiful feet! I have just finished reading 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed. I enjoyed it so much!!! Big hugs to you, Anne!

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    1. Awww... thanks, Aga!

      I have been wanting to read Wild. Maybe I'll have to push it higher up my list!

      Big hugs back to you, sweet Aga!

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  7. Oh my goodness, Anne, so many wonderful suggestions!! I used to be a voracious reader, but now seldom allow myself the luxury of sitting and reading. I have heard so many people recommend Louise Penny's mysteries, and I love mysteries, so I think I will give those a try. I get anxious just thinking about taking the time to read - do you think I need to chill out a bit? lol

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    1. Yes!, please chill out, Judy! :)

      Or at least remember to take a little time to savor! I know how hard it can be and how summertime can be SOOO busy. I hope you do read Louise Penny. I think you'd like them.

      Wishing you lots of joys to savor!

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  8. I ABSOLUTELY loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society!!! So I need to check out The Truth According To Us :) At the moment I'm reading two books (I do that sometimes especially if one is a non-fiction): The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers and Extra Virgin. The former, as I'm parenting teens these days and that can be quite ghastly at times LOL! And the latter, about a lady who travels to Italy for work and ends up buying a place there, is so much something I can relate to after moving to North Africa (so many similarities)! I also NEED to read the Invention of Wings! xxx

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    1. Me, too! It's one of my favorites. I didn't think The Truth According to Us was as good, but I did enjoy it.

      Extra Virgin sounds good. Have you read Carol Drinkwater's memoirs about buying an Olive Farm in Provence and bringing it back to life? I really enjoyed those. They're great audiobooks, too, read by the author.

      Happy reading! And I hope you're finding lots of joys to savor!

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  9. Ah yes reading...such a comfort, escape & joy :-) I shared a reading quote (& my comment on it) on my personal facebook timeline earlier - I'm sure you'll like it! When I've had vision problems with the MS & not been able to read it is horrid. When I get to read again I experience even more enjoy & excitement as I'm reminded never to take it for granted. This happened again earlier in the year & right now I am worshipping books & the comfort they bring.

    I love Sue Monk Kidd but haven't read the Invention of Wings - I seem to have missed that one. I thought I'd read all of hers. I shall go check it out on amazon now!!

    Enjoy your summer reading!
    Oh and your blog/website looks gorgeous. I adore the painting you've done for your Savor Summer - it is gorgeous! Your painting gets better and better even when I think it can't possibly improve any more! Its such a joy to view your floral creations :-)
    Hugs
    Kat xx

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    1. Hi, Kat. I'm so glad that you're able to read again. I can't even imagine how it must be when you can't. I hope you do listen to audiobooks, though.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.

      Wishing you nothing but health and many, many joys to savor this summer and all the seasons!

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  10. I need to ask - did you make the quilt? Also, the library is holding Go Set A Watchman for me.

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    1. A book i remembered enjoying was the Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas - a murder mystery set in the depression among a group of quilters.

      http://www.thepersianpickleclub.com/about/

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    2. I did not make the quilt.

      I'm a little afraid to read Go Set a Watchman. I think I put it on hold at the library, but it hasn't come in yet.

      I've heard of the Persian Pickle Club. Glad to know you liked it. I'll have to look for it.

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