With a slew of recent surgeries under my belt (a blog for another day), I was craving a summer reading list. Books that filled my soul up and allowed it to overflow with words. Books that filled my resting time with words of magic and wonder, escape and adventure, life and love. I wanted books that weren’t too heavy. I wanted books perfect for pool time lounging. I wanted books that just slowed me down and chilled me out.
I love books that take me out of the country, I love books that take me on travels, I love books that dabble in romance, I love books that dabble is strong women finding themselves. I love books… I love reading words, many many words, that flow and tell stories. I love books that capture your imagination and just don’t let it go. I look forward to digging into my newly acquired books, lounging by the pool and resting through recovery.
The new books on my reading list (in no particular order & solely purchased based on premise or cover):
No Strings Attached
As a professional volleyball player, Dune Cates attracts scores of pretty women who flock to his side. But only one has managed to get under his skin – Sophie Saunders. Unlike the skimply-clad beach groupies, surf, burns in the sun, has two left feet, that doesn’t stop her from trying every daring sport available on the boardwalk. Dune knows Sophie spells trouble, and he should keep his distance, especially since he’s a no-strings-attached kind of guy. But he can’t ignore an overwhelming instinct to protect her. And with the promise of ice cream sandwiches, merry-go-round rides and dreamy sunsets, it’s only a matter of time before Dune gives in to the temptation of Sophie’s soft lips.
I mean… this spells summer reading at it’s finest; beaches, ice cream, sunsets, sports and a little bit of love. No Strings Attached seems like an easy read and a great poolside book. I cannot wait to dig in.
The Last Letter from Your Lover
In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing — not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter , signed simply “B,” from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything.
In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon an old letter containing a man’s ardent plea to his married lover. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to the lovers. Perhaps if they lived happily ever after, her own complicated affair could have a happy ending, too. A Brief Encounter for our time, this is a novel romantics of every age.
This book brings out the Nancy Drew in me… Unanswered questions, relationships left to fate and faith, curiosity… It all encompasses love. To me this seems to be a great bedtime reader, getting lost in the past and present until answers are found.
When In Doubt, Add Butter
As far as Gemma is concerned, her days of dating are over. In fact, it’s her job to cater other peoples’ dates, and that’s just fine by her. At thirty-seven, she has her own business, working as a private chef, and has five steady clients who keep her hands full.
There’s Lex , the fussy but fabulous department store owner who loves oysters Rockefeller and retro party food; Willa who is morbidly obese and needs to lose weight under doctor’s orders but still believes that butter makes everything better; a colorful family who may or may not be part of the Russian mob; an uberwealthy Georgetown family in which the monstrously spoiled wife is “allergic to everything”; and finally a man she calls “Mr. Tuesday,” whom she has never met but to whom she feels a magnetic attraction, in part due to his taste for full-on comfort food.
For Gemma, cooking is predictable. Recipes are certain. Use good ingredients, follow the directions, and you are assured success. Life, on the other hand, is full of variables. So when Gemma’s takes an unexpected turn on a road she always thought was straight and narrow, she must face her past and move on in ways she never would have imagined. Because sometimes in life, all you need is a little hope, a lot of courage, and – oh yes – butter.
Hello… This is all me and I am so excited. This will start my summer reading list. FOOD. Love. Courage. About an independent gal who lives her life on her plan. A life that encounters unexpected plans and twists and turns. Oh my heavens… So thrilled, so excited, starting this book, NOW.
Daring Greatly
Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brene Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives.
And because the summer cannot be filled with just fiction and fun, adventure and love, I’ve chosen Daring Greatly to expand my mind and stretch myself. This seems like a lovely book to pour over during my morning coffee ritual.
Digging in and reading up. I am excited and set for my book loving adventure. I will be certain to provide reviews and thought on my readings. Though each book seems to fall into a moment within my day, I am incapable of reading more than one book at a time, so one at a time it is for me. Starting now and starting with When In Doubt, Add Butter and pacing my summer with books, well, and magazines too. So very excited… It’s the simple things.