Don't let the pandemic ruin your summer, take a book and run to the beach!
Hello, my lovely bookworms!
Now, let's set one thing straight. Just because this year has not turned out exactly as promised (come on, weren't you all thrilled for the "new decade"? ) that does not mean that you should miss out on endless hours spent under the flaming sun while enjoying the latest bookish trend out there! So, continue scrolling for the ultimate summer reading list according to your one and only book-a-cholic.
The Vanishing Half-Brit Bennett
Without a doubt, this book has been the "talk of the town" and you can see that in every single blog, website, or even in your Instagram feed. Brit Bennett had widely introduced herself to her now 'trusted' reading audience by becoming a viral fame star through her blistering critical essays regarding racial beliefs and the meaning of privilege within the American land.
This novel revolves around a pair of twin sisters, an inseparable pair from their childhood, but who many years after are finding themselves living lives that are the exact opposite of each other. One sister is living in a 'white' world, hiding her past and her identity while the other is still trapped in the 'black' world that once was the everyday environment for both of them.
Here, Brit Bennett creates a plot that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Going beyond any issues of race, The Vanishing Half analyzes the impact of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons in which people sometimes feel pressured to live as something other than what they truly are.
In my opinion, this book came out with the 'perfect' timing. Given everything that has been happening around with the #blacklivesmatter movement, this is certainly the book that every one of us should read if we really want to educate ourselves on the subject, despite the book is fictional, there are a lot of valuable lessons inside.
A Separation by Katie Kitamura
Now this book is not something that just came out, however, it's one of the books that I've successfully managed to finish over the course of self-quarantining and I absolutely loved it.
Katie Kitamura makes the choice to use Greek land as her story's background and I was fascinated with her detailed descriptions about the rugged south part of Greece, showing that she had indeed done her research. And since this year we cannot enjoy a beautiful vacation strolling the white-narrow streets of Santorini, this book seems like a perfect choice.
But do not start this book with the expectations of an epic love story because it is technically the exact opposite. Mainly written for a women's audience (in my humble opinion always ), through the novel, we get to read the thoughts that are crossing a young woman' s life who is at the end of a marriage and whose 'husband' has somehow disappeared while visiting Greece for work purposes. Pressured by her soon-to-be ex-mother in law, she agrees to go and search for him. Bear in mind that their separation is only known between them for the time being .
Through her journey in the wild landscape of a greek region, the protagonist dives deeper into the flaws of her marriage and comes to learn many things that she thought she knew about her soon-to-be ex-husband. A Separation is a novel revolving around the licentiousness of two people's relationship as well as all the secrets that divide people from each other as they begin to live in their own "self-made" narratives. In a single phrase, this book is an author's attempt to showcase the state of mind of a woman on the edge of catastrophe, which leaves the reader astonished.
Read my detailed review on Goodreads!
The Mister by E.L James
This is certainly an author who has faced a lot of controversy over her steamy-written adventures of one innocent Anastasia Steel and a charming Mr Grey. "The Mister", has made its way into my list since I am a strong believer that nothing makes a better summer than a steamy, erotic novel while sunbathing at the beach!
For me, this was a different attempt of the author to create a book that would be less " over 18" and have a stronger character background. The scenery is slightly different, we are now in a grey raining London, and the male of the story is once again a man of power and wealth but with an aristocratic profile. On the other hand, the female character of the novel is yet again an innocent, young girl who will eventually fall under the charming spell of a handsome man. However, this time, the authors make the choice of successfully creating an interesting background for our young girl that will make all women cry with emotions.
It is a lot more appealing to have a woman with a tragic past and a haunting future which combines with her difficulties to accept any kind of gesture, especially romantic or even erotic. So buckle up ladies, because this time it's the man who has a 'hard-time' to make the girl fall for him. Jealous, Mr Grey?
The Last Flight by Julie Clark:
It's no secret that during summer, every book lover seeks for that fast-reading pick! Well, this new phycological thriller by Julie Clark is perfect for this occasion. Dealing with marriage issues and female relationships, we follow Claire Cook, a young woman who seems to have a perfect life but behind closed doors, the reality is totally different. The 'perfect' husband faces strong anger issues and has a tendency to use his power in order to control Claire who, however, has made a plan to disappear.
When she meets Eva at an airport bar, they switch tickets - Claire takes Eva's flight to Oakland and Eva takes Claire's ticket to Puerto Rico. What they thought would have been a chance for a fresh beginning, they soon realize that it's a moment for a new life, and so without any options, Claire will assume Eva's identity that will lead into the dark plot of this novel.
I believe that there is nothing better than a good thriller to give your mind that ideal escape from today's reality that we are suddenly living in!
Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand
This book is pretty evident from its title that you should read while enjoying your mochi under your beach umbrella!
Written by a well-known author, this novel is highly inspirational while revolving around social and family issues.
In the plot, the Levin family's kids are ready, like every year, to experience the summer of 1969 at their grandmother's historic home in downtown Nantucket. But this year there is a change of scenery with the oldest sister pregnant and unable to travel, the middle sister being a nursing student as well as a passionate protestor for the civil rights movement and lastly the only son, who is an infantry soldier, recently deployed to Vietnam. So, thirteen-year-old Jessie spends her summer as " an only child" alongside her grandmother who is hiding her secrets.
This beachy, feel-good novel, with a dose of family drama and some old-time vibes, had me practically smelling the sunscreen from the pages of the book. The historical events described as well as the sense of the '60s are well detailed and accurate through the course of the book. The author has an effortless ability to create nuanced, heartwarming stories set in a cosy and aspirational environment that you will devour in just one poolside break.
The Boy in the Red Dress by Kristin Lambert
It's the Pride time baby! So, you should absolutely pick the book "The Boy in the Red Dress ".
Step inside a New Orleans speakeasy and buckle up for a twisty whodunnit with a cast of swoon-worthy characters.
In this young adult novel, Millie is running the show at the Cloak & Dagger, a swinging speakeasy in the French Quarter, while her aunt is out of town. The new year is just around the corner, and all of New Orleans is out to celebrate, but even wealthy partiers' diamond earrings can't outshine the real star of the night: the boy in the red dress. Marion is the club's star performer and his fans are legion—if mostly underground.
When a young socialite wielding a photograph of Marion starts asking questions, Millie wonders if she's just another fan. But then her body is found crumpled in the courtyard, dead from an apparent fall of the club's balcony, and all signs point to Marion as the murderer. Millie knows he's innocent, but local detectives aren't so easily convinced.
Personally, I love this book. Superb mystery in a setting that you basically smell on the pages. Speakeasies, drag, a sharp-witted heroine, and a twisty mystery. It has absolutely everything you'd want from an #ownvoices queer historical murder mystery set against the backdrop of a queer-friendly speakeasy in 1920's New Orleans.
The Paris Hours by Alex George
In just three words: Pensive, evocative, and atmospheric!
The Paris Hours takes us on a moving journey into the lives of four strangers in Paris for one day during 1927 and introduces us to their thoughts, feelings, motivations, fears, and dreams, and highlights just how small the world truly is and how easily our paths can cross, intertwine, and collide. Paris between the wars teems with artists, writers, and musicians, a glittering crucible of genius. But amidst the dazzling creativity of the city’s most famous citizens, these four regular people are each searching for something they’ve lost.
Told over the course of 24 hours, the book introduces four characters whose different lives intersect in powerful ways: There’s the woman whose future lies in the balance after she broke a promise to her old employer. There’s an artist in a bad way who believes his entire fate rests on a chance meeting with Gertrude Stein. There’s an Armenian refugee who performs puppet shows that are not what anyone would expect, and a French journalist who dreams of America, but whose past ties him to the streets of Paris indefinitely.
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| Buy it now from Amazon |
With guest appearances from Ernest Hemingway, Josephine Baker, and Gertrude Stein, this story was an important and timely reminder of how deeply connected we are to the people around us—and how each of our choices greatly affects the lives of others. A moving tale of hope, regret, and second chances, The Paris Hoursis just the book to curl up with for a comforting summer break.
Self Care by Leigh Stein
If you were familiar with the #Girlboss book by ex -CEO and founder of Nasty Gal, Sophia Amoruso, then you surely would have seen the buzz around Self Care and how critics claim that it has come to end the girl boss era.
Firstly, let's talk about this gorgeous cover!
The cover of Self Care features a Pepto-pink lotion bottle, sleek and rounded for optimal millennial aesthetic satisfaction, with black bile leaking from its pump. A symbol of that smooth, pretty feminism every young female, Stein’s story is about a wellness entrepreneur (a founder of a women’s empowerment community called “Richual”) who fires off an ill-advised swipe at a Trump daughter and faces a backlash.
Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen countless influencers who seem like experts at caring for themselves? Self Care delves into the lives and psyches of people working in the wellness industry and exposes the world behind the filter.
A punchy and important novel that explores the ways in which the commercialization of modern feminism and the "self-care" industry masquerades as wellness for women, but really just makes us feel inadequate and promotes a tear-down culture. Stein has a sharp wit and a talent for writing believable characters (am I right ladies?) and uses the power of fiction to call attention to the nefarious influence of social media and #girlboss culture on millennials and further generations.
Want to get a taste of it?
These books will shake you out of your stasis!
That's it for this summer book list but fear not since I will make sure to update it whenever I have a new, awesome recommendation for you my loves!
See you soon,
MissReader aka Leni,
xoxo xoxo
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