Mrs. Lazy Spoon’s 2019 Summer Reading Challenge

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Summer is near which means sunny days at the beach, quiet evenings at home on the deck, and hopefully, a vacation are just around the corner. One of my favourite hobbies besides binge-watching Netflix, drinking wine, and writing this blog is reading but I don’t read as much as I used to or would like throughout the year. So every summer I challenge myself to read a book every single day. It doesn’t have to be an entire book every day but I do strive to find the time to at least read a few chapters…which usually turns into me reading the WHOLE book that day anyway (and likely polishing off a bottle of Rosé).  

There’s only one thing that can make a good book and a great bottle of Rosé better and that’s friends! I’d love to invite you to join me this summer for Mrs. Lazy Spoon’s Summer 2019 Reading Challenge. You can follow along and read all of the books I’m planning to read or you can choose your own. It doesn’t matter! I’m just excited about building a reading community where we can share book recommendations (and possibly wine recommendations) and talk about what we loved (or hated) about the books we’re reading. You can join Mrs. Lazy Spoon’s  Book Club on Facebook here. I absolutely love when friends recommend a book and I thought this space would be a great way to share as well as keep me accountable to my reading goal.

I’ve already placed my book order on Amazon for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and the books are on their way. Seriously, is there anything better than brand new books. Gah! If you don’t read, that’s cool maybe you know someone who does and would be interested in joining the challenge. Please feel free to share with them.

Here’s what I plan to read and I’d love for you to read along with me! 

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Mrs. Lazy Spoon’s Summer 2019 Reading Challenge

Fiction

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

A few friends recommended this one recently so I picked it up a couple of weeks ago. I might actually start this one before June 1^st. It sounds so good!

“Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.” -Amazon

The Guest Book by Sarah Blake

I enjoy a novel written from different points of view and transcends through time. This looks like a great read!

“Moving through three generations and back and forth in time, The Guest Book asks how we remember and what we choose to forget. It shows the untold secrets we inherit and pass on, unknowingly echoing our parents and grandparents. Sarah Blake’s triumphant novel tells the story of a family and a country that buries its past in quiet, until the present calls forth a reckoning.” -Amazon

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

I am a huge fan of realistic fiction especially those set during World War II. I’ve had this title on my list for a while now so I’m looking forward to finally getting into it.

“Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this remarkable debut novel reveals the power of unsung women to change history in their quest for love, freedom, and second chances.” -Amazon

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

The Farmer bought me this book for Christmas and I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but it looks like a good one. I’m a big Kate Morton fan so I’m sure it won’t disappoint.

“Told by multiple voices across time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a story of murder, mystery, and thievery, of art, love, and loss. And flowing through its pages like a river, is the voice of a woman who stands outside time, whose name has been forgotten by history, but who has watched it all unfold: Birdie Bell, the clockmaker’s daughter.” -Amazon

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

A Hitchcockian thriller? Say what? I’m always down for a good psychological thriller. Can’t wait to read this one!

“A twisty, powerful Hitchcockian thriller about an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime in a neighboring house.” -Amazon

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

Reese Witherspoon recommended this book in her book club, @reesesbookclubxhellossunshine, and since we’re basically relatives I trust her judgment. I think 3 of the titles on this list were recommended by Reese actually.

“The Other Woman will have you questioning her on every page, in Sandie Jones’ chilling psychological suspense about a man, his new girlfriend, and the mother who will not let him go.” -Amazon

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

Seriously, what’s in the water? Should I be reading this one on a cruise ship or no?

“With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we’re tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.”     -Amazon

The Girl in the Letter by Emily Gunnis

(Pre Order. Title released July 22^nd)

As I mentioned, I am a huge Kate Morton fan so I’m sure Emily Gunnis’s book about long-buried secrets was worth pre-ordering.

“Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Rachel Hore and Kathryn Hughes, this page-turning, moving novel of separation and long-buried secrets will stay with you for ever.” -Amazon

Non-Fiction

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I mean, who doesn’t worship Michelle Obama? This title has also been on my list for a while now so I am definitely planning to read it this summer.

“In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address.” -Amazon

If At Birth You Don’t Succeed by Zach Anner

Zach Anner is a comedian and internet sensation who impressed Oprah so his story is probably pretty fascinating, right?

“If at Birth You Don’t Succeed is a hilariously irreverent and heartfelt memoir about finding your passion and your path even when it’s paved with epic misadventure.” -Amazon

There you have it, the top 10 titles I plan to dig into this summer with a little help from the vine and my friends. I joined a book club about 10 years ago and we still get together to drink wine and giggle a few times a year. We don’t read much together anymore but they are some of my most cherished humans in the world and we have the best time when we are together. Book clubs are for cool kids.

As a special bonus, I’m also sharing with you my Top 10 Book Recommendations. This is a list of titles I have read in the last year or so and have enjoyed…some on a cruise ship whilst drinking margaritas so if you find any of them less than entertaining, I apologize!

Happy Reading!