During my break from blogging, I realized I was reading so much more. Part of that was because I was utilizing my library and it’s book hold option a bit more, but another contributing factor was that I didn’t have the limitation of my monthly TBRs — I could easily read whatever was sitting on my shelf without worrying about hitting a specific mark. Therefore, I’m going to switch to seasonal TBRs knowing full well that I may not read everything on my list, but I’ll have a little more wiggle room. Summer is one of my favorite seasons (I grew up in Florida — it’s always summer) because I love reading in the park while getting some Vitamin D. So, let’s get started with my summer TBR list.
Image from Amazon
1. A Gathering of Shadows by V. E. Schwab
The sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows takes place four months after all the destruction that occurred in the first book. Kell misses Lila and has no idea where she disappeared to after everything that happened with Prince Rhy and and the Dane twines of White London. But he can’t think about her too much because his London, Red London, is preparing for the Element Games — an international competition between neighboring countries. It’s supposed to be both elegant and choc full of rivalry, so it reminds me a little bit of the Hunger Games. I can’t wait to dive back into the second book in this series and find out how Kell and Lila’s lives inevitably intertwine again.
Image from Amazon
2. Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris
I got this book years ago from a friend, and I’m finally going to crack it’s spine this summer. Written by an editor with over 30 years of experience at The New Yorker, Between You & Me delves into the world of grammar in a light-hearted, yet educational way. Norris attacks common problems like “that” vs “which”, comma faults, and everything in between. As a true grammar snob, I’m excited to up my game.
Image from Barnes and Noble
3. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
One of my 2019 goals was to read more classics, and I’ve fallen terribly behind on that endeavor. I’m hoping to read a few this summer, one of them being A Tale of Two Cities. This book takes place during the Reign of Terror in Paris, and it brings together a French aristocrat and an English lawyer as they try to survive the bloodstained streets. I know it’s probably going to be a challenging read, but I’m excited to read my first book by Mr. Dickens.
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4. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
It’s the classic who-done-it. Hercule Poirot, a Belgian detective on his way to London, must figure out who killed an unlucky American on the train. There are 13 suspects, and everyone has a secret. As much as I love true crime, I also love a good mystery.
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5. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
The Great Believers follows two timelines — one is set in 1980s Chicago during the AIDS epidemic while the other is set in modern day Paris. Makkai explores how the epidemic directly and indirectly impacted so many lives and how it changed the world for better or for worse. In the 80s, Yale has to deal with losing friend after friend until all he has left is Fiona, his friends little sister. In the present day, Fiona is trying to find her daughter who she lost to a cult. Everything about this book intrigues me, and I can’t wait to read it.
Image from Amazon
6. Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is back again after The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I have heard nothing but good things about this book. Daisy Jones & the Six is an oral history of how the band came to be, and how it came to end. Daisy joins The Six after years of drugs, sex, and rock & roll on their own, and together the band is better than it’s ever been before. There’s forbidden love, living out a dream, and too much trouble for one person to imagine.
What books are on your unofficial summer reading list? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy reading,
Kimberly
