It's so hard to believe that summer is over. I might have spent too much of it with my nose in a book on the back deck, poolside or on the dock but I definitely read some fabulous titles. Unfortunately, I did not read all of the books on my list but I read others to make up for those ones.
Here's my recap of the books I read this summer...some of them don't have a full review.
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Three Stars - Not that Impressed
Read my
blog post and Goodreads
review for more.
Island - Elin Hilderbrand
Four Stars - She is my favorite author for summer reads!
Here is my review from my post for Lakeside's blog.
The Island is great summer read by Elin Hilderbrand. The book
tells the story of Birdie Cousins and her daughter and their time spent
together with family.
Birdie Cousins finally has the opportunity to plan the dream wedding
of her older daughter, Chess. Everything is coming together perfectly
until Chess unexpectedly and without reason, unbeknownst to Birdie, the
rest of her family or Chess’ fiancé, calls off the wedding.
Hoping some time away with family will be the cure, Birdie and her
family return to the family summer home on Tuckernuck Island, off the
coast of Nantucket. Tuckernuck has no phones, electricity or a grocery
store – it is a place for solitude and an escape from all of their
troubles. The broken engagement, however, is just the first in a summer
of upheavals and revelations for Birdie, Chess, her other daughter Tate
and Birdie’s sister, India. Secrets are shared, old loves rekindled, new
loves found and the importance of family is rediscovered while on the
island.
This is a wonderful beach read!
The Hurricane Sisters - Dorthea Benton Frank
Five Stars - Loved It!!
Here is my review from my post for Lakeside's blog.
Maisy is the family matriarch of a crazy Southern family living in Charleston, South Carolina in The Hurricane Sisters. The story begins with a hilarious scene where Maisy’s daughter, Liz,
and son-in-law, Clayton, are bailing her out of jail for walking a llama
down the street.
Maisy is full of spunk and passionately in love with her chauffeur, who is much younger than her.
The story unfolds through the voices of each of the main characters
but is really the story of the women, “the hurricane sisters.”
While Maisy stoically harbors past ghosts, including the untimely
death of her other daughter, Liz is struggling with the homosexuality of
her grown son, the infidelity of her husband and the immaturity of her
young daughter, Ashley.
Ashley, an aspiring artist, and her roommate, Mary Beth, are living
rent free in Clayton and Liz’s beach house trying to struggle with
achieving their dreams or coming to terms with reality.
The theme of domestic violence is woven throughout the story as Liz
works for a domestic violence organization and Mary Beth is a survivor
after witnessing her father abuse her mother growing up.
When tragedy strikes within the family, they pull together and
weather the storm (literally and figuratively), supporting each other
with love and encouragement. The Hurricane Sisters is a beautiful story of family in the
South Carolina Lowcountry. In the end, no matter how crazy family is,
the characters realize that they do need each other more than ever.
The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters - Elisabeth Robinson
Three Stars - Again, not that impressed.
Read my
blog post or GoodReads
review. Both are pretty similar.
Summerland - Elin Hilderbrand
Four Stars - If you haven't read Elin Hilderbrand, put it on your booklist!
Read my
blog post about the title.
Nantucket Sisters - Nancy Thayer
Three Stars - This book is predictable.
Dune Road - Jane Green
Four Stars - Not bad even though I think most of her books are predictable as well.
Palisades Park - Alan Brennert
I'm still reading this one but so far I love it.
Where'd You Go Bernadette - Maria Semple
Hoping to start and finish this book over the long weekend. My last summer reading list book.
Open House - Elizabeth Berg
Three Stars - It was OK. Not really a light summer read.
When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead
Two Stars - Probably would like it better if I was 10!
Here is my review from my post for Lakeside's blog.
Miranda is an average middle school student until her life becomes a puzzle, starting the day her best friend, Sal, is punched.
Life gets kind of strange after that. The apartment key that
Miranda’s mom hides for her goes missing. And then mysterious notes
start arriving at home.
With each note, Miranda realizes that she is the only one that can
prevent a tragic death? But whose death? And who is sending the notes?
Miranda struggles to answer these questions and solve the mystery before
something terrible happens.
The Starboard Sea - Amber Dermont
Four Stars - It's like Prep with boys as the main characters.
Here is my review from my post for Lakeside's blog.
Jason Prosper is finishing his senior year at Bellingham, a prep
school for misfit wealthy kids who have been kicked out of the notable
boarding schools in New England. A competitive sailor, Jason is still
mourning the loss of his best friend, roommate and sailing partner – Cal
– when school starts. Cal committed suicide and Jason blames himself.
The novel follows the school year and illustrates the class privilege,
sexual desire and teenage recklessness. By graduation, Jason learns to
forgive himself and accept love but it is not an easy journey.
Readers who enjoyed the book Prep, by Curtis Sittenfield, will enjoy this boarding school novel. Similar themes are present, only The Starboard Sea is from the male perspective.
The Matchmaker - Elin Hilderbrand
I am so looking forward to this one and I just got it on audio!!
I also read
Last Night at Charteau Marmont (Four Stars)
, The Julian Chapter (Five Stars),
The Summer I Turned Pretty (Five Stars),
The Great Gatsby (Five Stars),
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (Two Stars) and
To All the Boys I've Ever Loved (Three Stars).
So, what did you read pool side this summer?
Happy Reading!
