Top Five Tuesday: Books on My Summer Reading List

I’ve been a big-time book nerd for as long as I could remember. When I was Sam’s age I would be perfectly happy sprawled out on the couch for hours with a new book. I had a subscription to this Weekly Reader Book Club and would make it my mission to complete the book well before the next one came in the mail.

Nowadays, the whole reading thing is not going so well. I mean, I obviously read things daily (it’s kind of hard to be a writer/editor without reading things—although sometimes I do wonder…), but it’s mostly work related or blog posts or kids books. I very rarely take a minute to sit down and read for pleasure. And that’s not cool.

I’m trying really hard to be better at carving twenty minutes or so into my schedule to read. I’ve even started making an epic list of things I want to check out. I picked five very diverse titles off my list to share with you guys.
#GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

This one first piqued my interest when pictures of it started popping up in my social media feeds (I’m talking to you, Instagram).

Sophia Amoruso writes about how she went from a teen who was into hitch-hiking and petty theft to a vintage clothes seller on eBay to the founder and CEO of a $100 million fashion retailer (Nasty Gal). With a lot of straight talk and some behind-the-scenes stories, this book is Sophia’s guide to success for outsiders. It sounds like the kind of girl power, no excuses book I’d love.

I Don’t Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer

I love Judy Greer as Kitty Sanchez in Arrested Development and as Cheryl in Archer. She also has played the BFF in a string of romcoms (including one of my favorites, 27 Dresses).

This book is filled with essays about everything from midnight shopping trips to Walgreens to being told by fans that she’s prettier in person to which celebs she’s peed next to. It sounds light and fun and funny—which is everything I’d expect from her.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

My friend Rena sent me a link to Gretchen Rubin’s website when I was particularly stressed. I poked around a little bit and got more and more sucked in. After realizing that she wanted to be happy but spent no time thinking about it, Gretchen decided to dedicate a year to a happiness project. She tested out age-old wisdom, current scientific research, and lessons from pop culture about how to be happier and learned a lot of pretty interesting things along the way.

Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

This one is the closest to guilty pleasure reading as this list gets. It sounds like a reality show gone wrong. A famous actor dies during a medical procedure and while the doctor tries to hide the truth to protect himself. At the same time, the doctor is not exactly upset that the man has died. He and his family had vacationed with actor in his summer home the year before and what started out as an awesome getaway was interrupted by a violent incident. The circumstances surrounding the actor’s death start to reveal the disturbing reality behind what happened on vacation. A psychological mystery sounds like the perfect thing to get lost in right now.

Congratulations, by the way by George Saunders

This book started out as a graduation address at Syracuse University. It was then posted on The New York Times website, where it went viral within days. An extended version of his speech, this book is described as “an inspiring meditation on kindness.” A funny yet uplifting book is kind of perfect when your stress level has reached the danger zone. Also, it’s only 64 pages, so if you’re like me and constantly beating yourself up about how you can never finish a book lately it will be a lot easier to do.

OK. Now it’s your turn. I want to know what you’re reading or what you just read or what you’re about to read. I want to know what was amazing and what you struggled to finish. I want to make my epic summer reading list even more epic. Help!

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