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Our Summer Reading List

June 12, 2014 by Joy the Baker 91 Comments

the vacationers the leftovers to rise again
one more thing mr & mrs glasses ny notebook
jason priestley cat dish towel drip mugs
euphoria candle jtb vanilla salt

I bought a Kindle Reader.  I did.  I turned in my iPad and treated myself to a reader.  Why?  Because no one should carry Infinite Jest any farther than one’s reading nook.  It’s pretentious, not to mention you’ll likely injure your back.

See.. Ip;Because no one should carry Infinite Jest any farther than one’s reading nook.  It’s pretentious, not to mention you’ll likely injure your back.
Infinite Jest is currently my ‘foundation book’.  I read a ‘foundation book’ and then keep a lighter alternate book.  I usually call my alternate book my ‘side boo’ which is… well, true.

It’s summer and it’s time to find some new reads!  Last Winter we dove into sad end of the pool with Break Your Heart Winter Reading which seemed perfect for the chilly days.  Nowadays, the shorter my dress the lighter my book needs to be.  I mean… let’s just live a little.

I asked you on Twitter what you’re reading this summer, and your reading list is inspired and enviable.  I took it upon myself to share your genius and claim part of it as my own.  Here’s what we’re reading this summer!!

•  The Vacationers by Emma Straub •  I always love a story that winds through the life of a family.

•  The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta • You know, before the HBO show comes out!

•  To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris • Let’s try to figure out the meaning of life, and maybe laugh about it along the way.

• One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by BJ Novak • Tell me more, dude from The Office.  Tell me more.

• The Good Luck of Right Now by Matthew Quick • I love it for the title alone.  I love it because it’s by the same author as The Silver Linings Playbook which I didn’t actually read, but I saw the movie and the dance competition scene made me spontaneously fist-pump. Right?  Let’s read this!

• Everything Is Perfect When You’re A Liar by Kelly Oxford • Is this a book about Pinterest?  Might could be.

• Jason Priestley: a memoir by Jason Priestley • Hold uuupppp.  Brandon Walsh wrote a book?  Does he talk about Kelly?  Does he talk about Andrea?  Peach Pit!?  Game over.  I’m all the way in.

• Think Like A Freak by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner •  Clearly, judging by my fascination with Jason Priestly, I’m already thinking like a freak.  This book is more about unconventional analysis than weird 90’s fascinations.

•  The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd • My mom and Oprah told me to read this book.  This needs to happen.

• Euphoria by Lily King • A love triangle in the jungle.  Duh.

• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt • It’s only won the Pulitzer Prize.  What are we waiting for!?

• It Chooses You by Miranda July • Girl crush status forever and always on Miranda July.  This book is based on the stories behind the Penny Saver, a Los Angeles classified rag.  Bound to be exactly right.

Sooo… don’t be coy!  What are you reading this summer?

 

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  1. Lin

    July 5, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    I just finished Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard. Her first book was Lunch In Paris. She also gives us recipes at the end of each chapter. I loved both of these books.

    Reply
  2. Leah

    July 9, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    I thought the Goldfinch was good, but not the ending. Ugh. Euphoria was excellent! I also recommend Jo Walton’s Among Others, Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, and Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You.
    I see many comments about spending money on Kindle books. I take advantage of the library, using the app Overdrive. Free rentals on e-books. I rarely spend cash on books, and I am a voracious reader.

    Reply
  3. Emily

    July 1, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Thanks for the recommendations – I just found the vacationers on the library audiobook site, so that’s something to listen to at work!

    I just finished listening to Orange is the New Black which was nice to read in tandem with watching the show – interesting to see how things changed for the more dramatic show (is it telling that the men characters on the TV show are pretty much exactly as terrible as described them in the book but the women are a lot nicer?) I can also recommend A Tale for the Time Being, the audiobook was read by the author and she did a great job – and it was nice to hear things the way she imagined them as she wrote. It made me want to go visit Japan and BC at the same time.

    Reply
  4. Melissa

    June 30, 2014 at 10:39 am

    My latest obsession is Eleanor & Park. It’s So. Good. I tell everyone I know about it. Everyone should read it immediately.

    Reply
  5. Person hinter den Worten

    June 25, 2014 at 5:02 am

    I’m reading The Goldfinch at the moment and I’m loving it so far!

    Reply
  6. Long Distance Baking

    June 23, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    I’m trying really hard to read all the books already on my shelf…buying books is a bad habit of mine. I just finished The Casual Vacancy and am now starting This Side of Paradise by Fitzgerald, all over the place!

    Reply
  7. Stephanie

    June 23, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    I share your fascination with Jason Priestley and all things 90210. Man I loved that show when it was on! Totally picking up this book :-P

    Reply
  8. Renee @ Awesome on $20

    June 21, 2014 at 12:45 am

    If you haven’t read Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne, I highly recommend it. It’s not a new book, but it’s great summer reading. There’s a lot of snorting laughter involved, so be careful where you read it.

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      June 21, 2014 at 9:08 am

      i love those kinds of books!

      Reply
  9. Callie / Flour and Fancy

    June 20, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    ‘The Goldfinch’ is fantastic! Summer reading is the best reading, yo.

    Reply
  10. Alice

    June 20, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Animal Madness by Laurel Braitman! Anyone who loves animals will adore this book. It is full of fascinating stories about mental illness in humans and animals. I highly recommend it!

    Reply
  11. Sarah P.

    June 18, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    I’m just started “The Opposite of Loneliness” by Marina Keegan. I saw it recommended in one of my Skimm news emails last week. I’ve read the first essay and it is some fantastic writing!

    Reply
  12. Kim from the Infinite Smile Project

    June 17, 2014 at 11:11 pm

    Omg, I about died at your Pinterest comment: SO TRUE! I am reading White girl Problems, hilarious. Good beach or vacay ready that is easy and funny. Thanks for the recommendations, now all I need is to book that vacation! :)

    Reply
  13. Anja

    June 17, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    I listened to The Goldfinch as an audio book while doing a lot of baking. It was beyond fabulous and I never wanted it to end. The reader was perfect and it is SO well written!
    And I second Americanah! Great read!

    Reply
  14. Melissa King

    June 17, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    I read The Goldfinch and The Good Luck of Right Now last month and loved them!! So excited to add the rest to my list!

    Reply
  15. Victoria

    June 17, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I just finished reading Cavedweller by Dorothy Allison. Incredible!

    Reply
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