It’s time for summer vacations and beach days which means more time to read. Here are a few suggestions that I’m sure you’ll want to add to your summer reading list.
1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid | In this epic novel full of old Hollywood glamour, a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love.
2. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan | From the bestselling author of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “China Rich Girlfriend” comes this fun, frothy take on the lives of the Singapore super-elites. The stakes are high, as the entire Shang-Young clan rushes to the deathbed of their matriarch, Su Yi. A battle ensues over the family fortune and who stands to inherit it all.
3. My Glory Was I Had So Friends by Amy Silverstein | If you want inspiration, this is a book that won’t fail you. This memoir is about what friendship and living life as a transplant recipient meant to one woman. Amy Silverstein lived with a donor’s heart for 26 years that she was told would last only ten. When her heart started to fail, her only chance for survival including uprooting her life in New York and moving to California to await a transplant. Nine of her friends help her by flying to California and helping take care of Amy while she awaits news on a transplant and a new heart.
4. Fly Me by Daniel Riley | It’s 1972, and Suzy Whitman has no use for her degree from Vassar. Instead, she’s joined the hedonism of the Los Angeles beach scene and become a stewardess for Grand Pacific Airlines. Amid all the debauchery and fun, though, Suzy becomes involved in a drug-trafficking scheme.
5. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman | Eleanor Elephant is about the importance of friendship and human connection. Eleanor is an eccentric and regimented loner whose life beautifully unfolds after a chance encounter with a stranger.
6. Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs | An accomplished photographer, widow, and mother, Camille Palmer is content with the blessings she’s enjoyed. When her ageing father asks her to go with him to his native France, she has no idea that she’s embarking on an adventure that will utterly transform her. Returning to the place of his youth sparks unexpected memories that will lead Camilla’s family back to the dark, terrifying days of the Second World War, where they uncover their family’s surprising history. While Provence answers questions about her family’s past, Camille meets a handsome American historian who stirs a passion with her, and who may hold the key to her future. Sometimes the best journey of your life is the one that takes you home.
7. Out of Line: A Life of Playing With Fire by Barbara Lynch | In this funny, fierce, and poignant memoir, world-renowned chef and restaurateur Barbara Lynch recounts her rise from a hard-knocks South Boston childhood to culinary stardom. Barbara appeared as a guest judge on season 12 of Top Chef, which took place in Boston in 2014. She oversees seven critically acclaimed restaurants in Boston including No. 9 Park, Menton, and B&G Oysters.
8. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn | An exciting faced paced novel about a pregnant American socialite who teams up with a female ex-spy and a hot-tempered young soldier in the aftermath of World War II. A story of courage and redemption.
9. Sugar by Kimberly Stuart | Sugar is a contemporary romance, set in the high-pressure commercial kitchens of New York and Seattle. A funny and clever story of how a female chef learns to thrive in the ruthless world of premier restaurants.
10. One Summer Day in Rome by Mark Lamprey | One Summer Day in Rome is an enchanting novel about three couples drawn irresistibly to Rome, narrated by the city itself.
What are you excited to read this summer?
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