As an avid bookworm, there’s nothing I love more than sitting in the sunshine with a good read. If you’re looking for a great book to enjoy at the beach or on vacation this summer, check out this list of new titles that includes a mix of inspiration, suspense, memoir, essays, and fantasy fiction. Grab whatever sounds good to you, find a nice spot in the sun (or shade), and enjoy these summer reads!
“Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life” by Cleo Wade
This book is filled to the brim with inspirational, heart-centered words of wisdom that will leave your soul feeling happy. Poet and artist Cleo Wade shares short essays and inspirational quotes in this quick and easy read you’ll want to pick up again and again. I read this in one sitting—and have already returned to it a few times. With beautiful illustrations of her wise words, this book is a wonderful reminder of why we need to stay true to ourselves, no matter what.
“The Favorite Sister” by Jessica Knoll
Jessica Knoll is a hilarious and witty author who I personally want to be my new best friend. Her new book, “The Favorite Sister,” is a suspenseful murder mystery centered around five extremely successful women in New York City who agree to join the cast of a reality TV show. With shocking twists, this book explores the unspoken barriers that women face, like society’s constant pressure to always look younger and stay relevant. It’s a page-turner I never wanted to put down!
“Like Brothers” by Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass
The Duplass Brothers are known for their hilarious shows and movies (HBO’s “Togetherness”) and now, they’ve decided to write a book together. “Like Brothers” is a memoir that delves into their brotherly bond and their journey to success. They also talk about how they had to “break up” in order to preserve their individual families and their friendship. It’s an interesting read about the bonds between siblings, shared perseverance, and an inside look at a creative success story. It made me laugh out loud and want to call my own brother and sister.
“Look Alive Out There” by Sloane Crosley
Sloane Crosley is known for her witty, insightful essays, and her latest book doesn’t disappoint. A perfect summer read, she jumps from stories of climbing volcanoes to playing herself on “Gossip Girl.” Her signature writing style is easy and fun to read, and also made me think about the deeper issues she covers, like fertility and being single in your 30s. If you want to laugh out loud while you read, check out this latest collection of essays.
“The Pisces” by Melissa Broder
Struggling to complete her dissertation, Lucy goes through a messy breakup in this novel by Melissa Broder. At a point when Lucy’s life feels like she’s fallen into a rut, she goes on a series of dates and ends up falling in love with an attractive swimmer who turns out to be a merman. As wild as this story sounds, “The Pisces” is really about hoping for a fantastical love that gives us a break from the mundane. I felt like I was in another world reading this one, which means it’s definitely a book to escape into this summer!
Originally published on June 14, 2018.