The summer slowdown

Random musings on summer reading and 4 books I hope to read in July.

Summertime reading can look quite different for readers. Some find that they have more time to read. Perhaps you’re a teacher with a few months off that allows you more time to get to your backlist or you’re a college student with a summer break and you can finally swap out a textbook for a thrilling read. On the other hand, you could be a parent of young children juggling their demands for yet another snack. Regardless, any avid reader or book lover is desperately seeking to bask in the sunshine with a good book.

I’ve come to lean into my summer slow down and that has served me quite well. I’ll admit that I still get a little grumpy when I’ve barely read for a few days but it has helped me be more present during a busy time in my life. A time when I’m surrounded by my kids, family and dear friends during our extended time at the lake.

What I have yet to figure out is what I want my reading to look like when I know I have less hours that I can devote to it. Do I want to concentrate on a big book? Perhaps read a few backlist books? I’ve also thought about re-reading some treasured favorites. Alas, I still worry that I’ll fall behind on all the bright and shiny new releases. Without some plan or structure to my summer reading, I wonder if that is hindering or helpful in a time of chaos.

Over the course of my summers at the lake, my sisters and I have buddy read a few books, including Charlie Donlea’s Don’t Believe It and Jennifer Hillier’s Jar of Hearts. Both of which were fun to chat about. Before kids you would find us all sunbathing on the dock passing around the Twilight series or Hunger Games. This summer, my sister Caroline and I plan to buddy read The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton. If you’ve read and enjoyed it then feel free to sing its praises in the comment section.

What does your reading life look like in the summer? Are you part of the summer slowdown crew?

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4 Books I Hope to Read in July

1. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

   I asked my sister to pick a book for me when we visited Tropes & Trifles (the new romance bookstore) in Minneapolis. I only asked that it have steamy scenes and include vampires. I know NOTHING about the book other than it is almost 500 pages. I’m anxious to jump in soon!

Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa.

2. The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton.

As mentioned above, I plan to buddy read this with my sister. She was gifted a copy and I was recently gifted a paperback copy by the publisher. I don’t read a ton of climate fiction but I’ve heard good things so I’m anxious to give it a go. My sister isn’t opposed to dnf’ing so that always makes me feel less commitment phobic when planning a summer buddy read at the lake.

FINALIST FOR THE DAYTON LITERARY PEACE PRIZE

Set in the near future, this hopeful story of survival and resilience follows Wanda--a luminous child born out of a devastating hurricane--as she navigates a rapidly changing world: A "symphony of beauty and heartbreak" (Associated Press).

USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

A Good Morning America Book Club pick - #1 Indie Next pick - LibraryReads pick - Book of the Month Club selection - Marie Claire #ReadWithMC book club selection - 2022 NPR "Book We Love" - New York Times Editors' Choice

3. Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight (July 30th)

   The publishing date for this was moved so I have a strong feeling this will be an August celebrity book club selection. This author has long cemented herself as an auto-read for me. I also often feel compelled to read mother-daughter stories.

From the New York Times best-selling author of Reconstructing Amelia: A daughter races to uncover her mother's secret life in the wake of her disappearance in this "breathless, shocking thriller." --Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times best-selling author

4. I Was a Teenaged Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones (July 16th)

Nothing screams summertime more than a teen slasher film and so why not read a classic slasher story with a twist! I like to dabble in horror every now and then and have really enjoyed some of Grady Hendrix satirical horror novels. This will be my first book by this author.

From New York Times bestselling horror writer Stephen Graham Jones comes a classic slasher story with a twist--perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix.

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I may be a little inconsistent on Substack this summer but I’ll be sure to pop back on when I find a moment or two. I hope you lean into whatever this summer looks like for you. Sometimes life takes us on unexpected journeys and the best we can do is buckle up!

Talk soon.

xoxo Basic B