While getting ready for work this morning I listened to the latest podcast by Books on the Nightstand. It was titled “Your Summer Reading List” and since Michael was on vacation for the recording of the podcast, co-host Ann requested that listeners call in and leave a voicemail stating the book(s) that they were most excited to read this summer. I did not remember to call in myself so I am taking this opportunity to let you know of the titles I am most looking forward to sitting down with and reading this summer. You can listen to the podcast and read the blog post over on Books on the Nightstand HERE.
There are a few titles that I am really excited about reading this summer. I am about to finish the first on that list. It’s Jennifer Weiner’s upcoming release, Then Came You. I don’t want to say too much about it since I’ll be writing/posting my review within the next 48 hours but OMG is it good. I am putting this in the Good In Bed and Little Earthquakes category of best Jennifer Weiner books!
I am thrilled to readthis next book because I am lucky enough to call the author friend over the years through e-mails. Ellen Baker is one of my generation’s best novelists and I tell everyone who asks me for a book suggestion to read her first book, Keeping The House. Her second novel comes out August 2nd and I am so happy to have a galley of it to read after I finish Jennifer Weiner’s book. (Thank you Ellen!!) Ellen Baker’s book will be titled I Gave My Heart To Know This. I have complete faith that it will be engrossing and amazing just like Keeping The House.
Third on my summer reading list is The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. I had the great pleasure of not only listening to Paula speak at the Gaithersburg Book Festival in May but I also had a few moments with her in the signing tent to talk and gush over her. She is sooo adorable and interesting! Her enthusiasm was contagious and I feel awful that it’s taking me so long to get to her book on my stack.
I was excited to learn that I had won two books from Goodreads.com. The first is In The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. This book has been receiving tons of praise from bloggers and critics alike. It will be a bit of a step off the beaten path for me as it is non-fiction. I had a hard time with Larson’s book The Devil In The White City but I am hoping to find my groove with his latest book because it is about our country’s first diplomat to Nazi Germany and his family. I love a good WWII story!
The other book I won from Goodreads.com is The Things We Cherished by Pam Jenoff. I have had other titles by Jenoff on my want-to-read list but like you know, there are just so many books out there! Well now I own the ARC of Jenoff’s upcoming release (July 12th) and I’m going to read it this summer. It sounds like an epic tale that spans the twentieth century and has its roots in WWII.
I will be attending the book event for the last “must-read” book on my list this summer. J. Courtney Sullivan will be appearing at D.C.’s Politics & Prose Bookstore later this month and I can’t wait to meet her. I read her debut novel Commencement two years ago and loved it. Her sophomore release, Maine, is out now and I keep hearing wonderful things about it. I look forward to picking up the book at the event, having Sullivan sign it and then reading it this summer.
Listening to the BOTNS podcast I found that the most common book people want to read this summer is the upcoming Game of Thrones title that comes out later this month. I didn’t watch the HBO series but Hubby became enraptured with it and is considering reading the series now.
What are YOU most excited to read this summer season? Please let me know. You might have a book title I’m unfamiliar with and may catch my interest. Thanks!
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