A Summer Reading List

So, if you missed me last week, it was because Scott and Georgia and I were pretty much raging around Washington DC. Storming through museums, visiting family, and basking in humidity. Also included was eating too many otter pops out on the deck to a soundtrack of frogs. I am still uploading pictures and slowly piecing together our trip for a blog post. It's proving difficult because the whole thing was such a whirlwind!


While I was there, however, my cousin asked me for book recommendations and I happily made her a list. After a while, I made her a separate list just for summer. I like my summer books like I like my summer food: light, easy, and satisfying (even if only for a moment). 

So, while you are all anxiously awaiting my DC details (right? ha ha!), I give you a narrowed down version of:

Peter Pan (the play)/Peter and Wendy (the novel) by J.M. Barrie 

if you are looking for magic and innocence

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 

for an easy read page turner and if you love dogs

Bossypants by Tina Fey 

for a sassy memoir and a way to make 30 Rock even more funny

The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers 

because cheesy romance novels are best digested by the pool

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

 for a non-fiction about all the weird things that could happen to your body after you donate it to science. Also, surprisingly hilarious

The Secret Life of Bee's by Sue Monk Kidd 

for long, lazy days in a hammock 

The Uglies/Pretties/Specials series by Scott Westerfeld (don't read #4 though- laaaame)

for a young adult futuristic distopia where everyone gets plastic surgery at 16 to become "pretty." The sixth graders I subbed for swore by this series.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 

for a semi-autobiographical novel about growing up on a rezervation that is both moving and funny

Travels With Charlie by John Steinbeck 

because John Steinbeck is the most amazing American author, and this is a non-fiction account of his road trip across America with his poodle. You will laugh and cry.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 in case you've been watching too many summer reality shows and need a REAL reality check

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum 

good anytime, but especially good for summer time traveling since it is a collection of delightful short stories that you can pick up and down.

I own most of these, so if you need to borrow any of them, feel free to let me know.
Happy summer reading!