One of the questions I get asked a lot from my real life friends is, “When do you read?” I think there are a lot of women out there who want to read but have trouble finding the time. It’s no wonder right? We’re constantly on the go with our work and home life………maintaining a household, cooking dinner, attempting to exercise, if you’re a mom you’re probably running kids all over the place…….. plus there are way too many great television shows not to mention Netflix that can consume what little free time we have in the evenings. I get it. I really do.
My honest answer is that I don’t read as much as I’d like to during the school year. All I really commit to is one or two books a month. For one thing, helping my kids with their homework really zaps my brain, and at the end of a school night all I feel capable of is a glass of wine and an episode of The Bachelor. On nights when there’s nothing great on television I get in bed around 9pm to read for an hour or two. I truly look forward to the summer months when my shows are on break ’til fall and my kids don’t have homework; so I can knock off a bunch of books on my tbr list.
One other thing that keeps me reading is that I’m very selective about what new television shows I’ll add to my cue. This past year not one new show made the cut. Sorry Quantico, I tried; I really did. I keep my television watching down to a select few so that I have the time to read, and yes, The Vampire Diaries is still in my cue; don’t judge me. Honestly, I think like anything else in life you find time for what is important to you, and for me reading on a regular basis is something that really fills up my jar. Nothing to do but relax and read……that’s my heaven on Earth.
I thought I’d share what I’m planning to read this summer in case you’re up for suggestions or are looking for something to get you by until the return of The Blacklist this fall…..um, how was that for a season finale?!   I plan to review all of these books on the blog at some point once I’ve finished reading, but I thought for those of you who enjoy the reviews you might like to read along with me so you can share your own thoughts and opinions…….kind of like our own little online summer book club. Sound good? Here we go!
1. First up is Me Before You. I’ve had so many people recommend this one to me over the years, but I’ve shied away from reading because I wasn’t sure I was up for a heartbreaking romance. When I saw that The Mother of Dragons was playing the lead in the movie coming out June 3rd I quickly popped a copy into my shopping cart at Target. I’m about half way done, and all I can think about today is how fast can I get these kids off to bed tonight so I can get back to reading! Loving it so far!
2. Next up will be The Last Anniversary, by one of my favorite authors Liane Moriarty. I’ve come to believe she can do no wrong so I’m excited to read this one. (Check out my review of Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot) Reading books from an author you really love is like comfort food; it’s always good and satisfying.
3. I just o happen to love a good psychological thriller in the summer. Oh who am I kidding I love them year round. Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl was one I really enjoyed, so I’m excited to check out Don’t You Cry.
4. I’m also excited to read What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan, which has been touted as being as great a psychological thriller as The Girl on the Train, which I loved!
5. After reading The Residence, by Kate Andersen Brower I’m looking forward to picking up a copy of First Women, a group biography of modern First Ladies from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama with a detailed portrait of Hillary Clinton. The history lover in me loves that the stories told are from untapped sources like residence staff and social secretaries.
6. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is one I’ve been wanting to read for a while, so I’m definitely looking forward to putting this one in my beach bag this summer.
7. The BFG by Ronald Dahl is one I never read as a kid, and my almost 10 year old daughter says that this is her all time favorite book. She’s very excited for the movie to come out this summer, so I’ve decided I need to read it before we see it on the big screen. This may be a good one to read with your kids this summer if your kids haven’t already read this one. The movie will be in theaters July 1st.
8. I love Jen Hatmaker! I’ve been putting off reading Interrupted for a while now, and God keeps whispering in my ear. Ok, God I’ll do it already. The tag line on the cover makes me feel nervous and sweaty….but it’s a good nervous and sweaty I think. 😉 If you’ve not read For The Love, add that one to your summer list. It’s lighthearted and hilarious…..inspiring and encouraging….it will make you feel all the feels and literally laugh out loud. It’s a good one.
9. Shonda Rhimes has basically been a member of my household since the very first episode of Grey’s Anatomy. I actually talk to the television saying things like…..oh Shonda, not Derek….of all people…not Derek! We’re on a first name basis, so the fact that I’ve yet to read The Year of Yes is kind of sad and shocking. I’m saying yes to Shonda, the pool and an ice cold beverage this summer.
10.  Last but not least I plan to wrap up my summer reading with another read from a favorite author, Kate Morton’s The Lake House. I fell in love with Morton’s storytelling when I read The Forgotten Garden and my crush become real after reading The Secret Keeper, which I never got around to reviewing on the blog, but also really loved.
I’m so looking forward to reading this summer! What’s on your tbr for the next few months? Are there certain genres you enjoy reading more during the summer months? Here’s to no homework, no after-school activities and good books to keep our minds off of that last episode of Scandal…….until fall rolls around.
the lake house, what she knew, and don’t you cry are also on my list! i am behind on moriarty so need to catch up! i read me before you and LOVED it!!! can’t wait to see the movie!!! and i read big magic. i am one of the only people who just didn’t like it. it was sort of a womp womp womp for me but everyone loved it so i forced myself to keep reading.