You 2018 summer reading list has arrived! Packed with must-read books, from new releases to nostalgic classics, this list is everything you need to bring with you as you get ready for a fun, adventure-filled summer!
Be on the look out for more extended reviews! I have written up more extensive reviews for some of these books. My reviews never contain any spoilers, so you can read them with ease. Any books that do have extended reviews are marked as such at the beginning of their blurb.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
READ FULL REVIEW HERE. (No spoilers!) Upon the very first line of this book, I became obsessed with it. This book is meticulous, deep, and provoking. It’s a lengthy read, which is perfect for those plane rides and road trips. PS: This is the same author who wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which is another excellent addition if you love historical fiction.
The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy
READ FULL REVIEW HERE. (Again, no spoilers!) A gripping new release that takes you through the stories of a circle of mothers and a night out that went very, very wrong. What went wrong? A baby was stolen and is now missing. I woke up in the middle of the night to read this book because I had to know what happened!
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
A highly acclaimed and an extremely emotional read. This small town wracked with drama and havoc is the perfect story to settle in with when you’re beach- and pool-bound. There is a reason why this novel has captivating those around the world. Discover why through vivid characters in a cozy Cleveland suburb.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
Summer is for hazy days and catching up with old friends. And, it’s time to meet up with these three old friends: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Escape Privot Drive and delve into the magical world awaiting you at Hogwarts. I love to pull out the entire Harry Potter series, especially during the summer months. It’s like putting on your favorite sweater when you just want a night of comfort and fun. Remember: Hogwarts is always there for you whenever you wish to return.
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE. (As usual, no spoilers!) If you love Big, Little Lies and the hit TV series it inspired, you will love this book. I turn back to this book when I need a good read to settle in with. The main character, Cecilia, is at the top of her game when she discovers a letter that changes her life. A thought-provoking and spellbinding novel that begs the question: how well do we really know the people we love?
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer
If someone were to ask me what my favorite book in the world is, this would be it. There’s a reason why this novel is so highly acclaimed (including winning a Pulitzer). To be honest, this book has a slow start. But, once it picks up, you won’t be able to put it down. Anthony Doer creates a beautiful juxtaposition of telling the story of two unlikely characters: a blind French girl fleeing from the Nazis with a dangerous and highly valuable stolen jewel and a German boy recruited into the Nazi Youth. Allow yourself to delve into this captivating read as you follow the heart-wrenching journeys of Marie-Laure and Werner Pfennig.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Are you paying attention? In this award-winning novel, the main character, Starr Carter, is trying to navigate two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the uppity private school she attends. Her life upends when her friend is fatally shot by a police officer, despite being unarmed. Sound familiar? This novel is eye-opening to the reality that so many are living in the US today. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those outside the African-American community who do not face such a dire and scary way of daily life.
Circe by Madeline Miller
This newest release takes us back to one of the most epic adventures of all times: The Odyssey. Circe is a demi-god. This is the tale of a woman cast aside by men and gods. During her exile, she hones her own unique power, which puts her into the vengeful path of one of the most powerful Olympians. Faced with the choice of a lifetime, Circe embarks on a journey of bloodshed, betrayal, and magic.
Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur
This is one of the most healing books I own. I also love her latest work, The Sun and Her Flowers. You’ll often see both of these pass through my Instagram. That’s because, on any given day, you can find me with one of them in hand. The poems are powerful, relatable, and thought-provoking. There’s been many a moment where I had to set the book down after reading a passage to sit and reflect.
Hunger by Roxane Gay
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE. (No spoilers!) I loved, loved, loved this book. And, my husband loved it, too. In this incredibly honest and raw collection of essays, Roxane Gay explores the confines of the beauty industry, eating disorders, and living with feeling like less. Damn, I related to this book so much. Roxane Gay has a gift with words. All those feelings you’ve had for years and didn’t know how to express just found their way to a page.
Awesome suggestions, I definitely will have to read “hunger”. I have been reading “A field guide to getting lost” by Rebecca solnit and I highly recommend it! It’s all about losing yourself to find yourself and the writing style just wraps itself around me when I read it!
Oooh, that book sounds like exactly what I need right now! Thank you so much for that recommendation!! 🙂