Summer is well and truly here, the perfect time to make progress on your to-be-read list! Here’s what’s on mine this summer. Share your summer reads in the comments.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong - I’m about a third way through this and I can’t put it down. It’s multigenerational and multi-POV, there are mysteries to be uncovered, and I’m very curious to see how one plot point in particular gets resolved.
From the publisher: “How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family, and asks: What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures?”
The Underdogs of Upson Downs by Craig Silvey - this middle grade was recommended by
From the publisher: “A heartwarming and hilarious story about a girl and her dog, and of kindness, friendship, hurdles, tunnels, see-saws, and--most importantly--bringing out the best in yourself and others.”
Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison - a friend recommended this one and I’m looking forward to seeing how the techniques in the book can be applied to writing stories for kids. I bet there are lots of overlaps!
From the publisher: “Writing Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.”
The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - this comes out later this summer and I’m already looking forward to it. My daughter got me into The Inheritance Games so I’m excited to share this next book with her. We’re going to an event with the author locally in August (Bay Area friends, it’s at Kepler’s on August 2).
From the publisher: “Get ready for a new series that brings readers deeper into the lush, romantic, and puzzle-filled world of the #1 bestselling Inheritance Games series (over 3 million copies sold!), set a year after we last saw Avery and the Hawthornes. Seven tickets. An island of dreams. The chance of a lifetime.”
Over to you, what’s on your TBR this summer?
I don't have any specific plans for summer reading (it's my busiest time of year since the kids are both home!) but I am trying to work my way through a bunch of PB, MG and adult NF books I've bought but not read yet. I'm trying to willpower myself to finish a bunch of those before buying anything new--but it's not easy! 😂
I read The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl a few weeks ago. An excellent summer read!