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The Top 6 Summer Reading Recommendations of 2021

June 24, 2021 by Joy the Baker 23 Comments

books on a bench with framed art above

Hello friends! 

I’ve gotten a month into these thick summer days without one of my very favorite summer activities: relaxing with a juicy beach read under an umbrella with a spritz. I looked up from my Christmas-in-June haze and realized that I don’t even know what beach read I’m reaching for! 

Thank goodness for you. Your suggestions on Instagram were key – and so many of you suggested the same six books.  I’m glad y’all are on the same page. I trust you. 

I have yet to read any of these titles but I’m headed to the bookstore this week to pick up, well, all of them.  Gosh remember summer reading lists in junior high and high school? Did.Not.Enjoy.  This level of scandalous, twisty turny, humorous reading is what I can get into this summer.  If you have any additions to this category, I’d love to see them in the comments below.  

•  Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.  Here at Bookshop.org and  here on Amazon. 

•  Scruples by Judith Krantz

Published in 1989 – Scruples is the novel that created publishing history, the first-and widely  acknowledged to be the very best-novel ever written  about the staggeringly luxurious life of a Beverly  Hills boutique and the people who work in it.  Here on Indiebound and here on Amazon. 

•  While We Were Dating the forthcoming book by Jasmine Guillory

Two people realize that it’s no longer an act when they veer off-script in this sizzling romantic comedy. Here on Indiebound and here on Amazon. 

•  Outlawed by Anna North

The Crucible meets True Grit in this riveting adventure story of a fugitive girl, a mysterious gang of robbers, and their dangerous mission to transform the Wild West. Here on Parnassus and here on Amazon. 

•  Beach Read and People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henrry

Beach Read: A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters. Here on Barnes and Noble and here on Amazon. 

People We Meet on Vacation: Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love. Here on Garden District Bookstore and here on Amazon. 

•  The Hunting Wives by May Cobb

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behavior in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder. Here on Indiebound and here on Amazon. 

I hope you found a book or two to add to your list. 

Happy Summer, friends! xo 

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  1. Laura

    June 27, 2021 at 6:12 pm

    Oh my goodness Outlawed was so so good. The perfect summer read, I devoured it in two days, sitting in the sun on my deck drinking iced coffee. I guess I’ll have to pick up another one for a beach day next weekend.

    Reply
  2. Shila Soni

    June 27, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Joy, you don’t know how much I needed this post. Thank you so much for sharing these juicy summer reads. I’m going to start with People we Meet on Vacation and work my way through.

    Reply
  3. Anna

    June 26, 2021 at 8:38 am

    I will also recommend the Daevabad Trilogy (starting with City of Brass). Fantasy, love, destinty… Game of Thrones feel but with much less gore, all set in a Middle Eastern world.

    Reply
  4. Nikki

    June 26, 2021 at 7:58 am

    I am reading People We Meet on Vacation now while I am waiting for my copy of Malibu Rising to arrive next week. I read Outlawed in three days it was that good. Another great beach read is One To Watch by Kate Staymann-London. A reality tv I spired novel featuring a plus size protagonist- loved it! And of course, a culinary mystery, Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. Enjoy!

    Reply
  5. Rebekah Flanders

    June 25, 2021 at 11:49 am

    Fiction
    – Jurassic Park is fantastic! Super well written 10/10 recommend listening to it on audible.
    – Wonder by R.J. Palacio is such a sweet and heartwarming book
    – Anything by Llyod Alexander (my Dad is a huge reader and this was always his favorite author)
    – The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
    – Okay hear me out… Lord of the Rings. I couldn’t get through it on paper but when I put it on audible I was hooked. I didn’t expect to cry so hard or relate so much but that’s Tolkien for ya. Very great series with some amazing lines if you can get past the boring//detailed bits here and there.

    Non-fiction
    – Captivate by Vanessa Van Edwards was fascinating
    – The Coddling of the American Mind was pretty interesting
    – Another Gospel by Alisa Childress was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

    Reply
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Two Giant Peanut Butter Cookies⁣
(or four smaller cookies) ⁣
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted⁣
1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed⁣
1 large egg yolk⁣
A splash of vanilla extract⁣
1/4 cup peanut butter⁣
1/2 cup all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend⁣
1/4 teaspoon baking soda⁣
1/4 teaspoon salt⁣
Coarse sugar and/or sea salt for sprinkling, optional⁣
⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. ⁣
⁣
I’m a medium bowl, whisk together warm melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Add the peanut butter and mix to combine. ⁣
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Add the dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold all the ingredients together. Divide in two big portions (or four smaller portions) onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and salt if you’d like. ⁣
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Bake two giant cookies for 12-14 minutes, or four cookies for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving with cold milk.
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