Sharing everything I read this summer – a mix of thrillers, biography/memoirs, and a fiction book I literally couldn’t put down!
This summer, I made a promise to myself to give my library card a workout. My favorite part of the last day of school (besides the fact that summer had arrived) was always getting my summer reading list. I know, I’m a nerd. But I love reading and would try to convince my mom to go immediately to the book store so I could get started on that list.
I mixed up my usual book routine by adding some thrillers into the mix. While I love true crime podcasts, I haven’t picked up a thriller since Gone Girl. But between Book of the Month (here’s my referral link) and Bad on Paper podcast, I ended up with two thrillers on my nightstand. They stressed me out to no end but omg, they were SO good. Looking back at my Goodreads, my summer 2019 reading list ended up with a good variety.
What’s your favorite genre to pick up?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | 5 out of 5 stars
I couldn’t put this book down!! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was written by the same author as Daisy Jones & the Six (which is on my to-read list) and chronicles the life and loves of Evelyn Hugo, a Golden Age of Hollywood-era actress. Now in her golden years and quite reclusive, Evelyn chooses unknown writer Monique to have the sole rights to her biography – and the answer to the burning tabloid question: Who was the love of Evelyn Hugo’s life? Evelyn’s life and marriages unfold but so does her dark secret of a great forbidden love. This story was beautifully written with characters so real I kept wanting to Google the movie stars. You will not want to put it down!
The Whisper Man | 5 out of 5 stars
Speaking of not wanting to put a book down, I finished The Whisper Man on my 4 hour flight to LA the other week. The Whisper Man was my Book of the Month and like I said, thrillers aren’t typically the book I usually gravitate towards. But the dark, suspenseful summary really piqued my interest. Like, the summary alone gave me the heebie-jeebies. The Whisper Man tells the story of a father and son caught in the middle of a terrifying serial killer case that has frightened a town for generations. The serial killer, called the Whisper Man because he lured his young victims by whispering outside their window, has been in prison for years. But a young boy’s disappearance bears an unsettling resemblance, setting the town + its detectives on edge. This was the perfect book for traveling, I didn’t want to put it down!! I will say this isn’t a book I recommend reading after dark, especially if you’ve got an overactive imagination like me.
The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty | 5 out of 5 stars
After reading Becoming by Michelle Obama, I had to pick up Barbara Bush’s biography. I’ve always loved the sweet relationship with Barbara Bush and her husband, not to mention her sassy attitude! The Matriarch tells Barbara’s life story from her letters, examining her public persona and internal struggles – like criticism against her political party’s stances. This was a fascinating peek into our country’s politics for the last 50 years and into life in the White House. Warning: You will cry when she talks about losing her daughter Robin to childhood leukemia.
Normal People | 3 out of 5 stars
Normal People by Sally Rooney follows Connell and Marianne through awkward high school experiences and university challenges. Connell is popular, Marianne is quiet and shunned by the cool kids. They strike up an unlikely friendship that develops into a secret romantic relationship. What unfolds is an on-again, off-again connection as they struggle to find their places in the world and navigate the magnetism of first love. I had heard rave reviews about this book and was intrigued by the concept but I didn’t find Connell and Marianne likeable and there wasn’t really a plot. Normal People felt more like a blasé reality show and left me underwhelmed.
Sisters in Law |4 out of 5 stars
Sisters in Law is like 2 biographies in 1 – Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first & second women to sit on the Supreme Court. This book chronicles their early years, education, and journey to the highest court in the land. It was absolutely fascinating how their lives intertwined + how they blazed very different trails. I will say there is a LOT of legal terminology in this book and unlike Elle Woods, I do not feel comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life. So be prepared for that! It was a fascinating insight into their lives, belief systems and how those came about as well as their strategies to make our country more equal for women.
From the Corner of the Oval | 4 out of 5 stars
This book dishes about the Obama White House years from the point of view of Beck, a stenographer. I loved hearing all abut the international trips and travel aboard Air Force One. The on-again, off-again hook-ups with the emotionally unavailable staffer got a little much for me – I just wanted to yell at her to stop it. But in the midst of all the serious political biographies and memoirs, From the Corner of the Oval is a breath of fresh air that feels like a tell-all gossip sesh with your girlfriend over mimosas. Highly recommend!
Slightly South of Simple | 2 out of 5 stars
A tale of a mother + her daughters with intrigue, a quaint beach town, family ties, and drama. I had a lot of hope for this book as summer brain candy. But it ended up being kinda cliche and very predictable, I really had a hard time getting through this. I love some brain candy but this was just too saccharine for me. If you’re looking for a fun read, I’d suggest Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell or To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han.
