BOOKMARK: SUMMER READING EDITION

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I really love to read.  I mean, really. As in, when I was a kid, if my brother or I got into trouble, our punishment would be for our mom to take our book away.  At the time, getting a book - especially one where you were just getting to the good part - ripped out of your hands mid-chapter was the absolute worst punishment EVER. It's only now, especially when it comes up in conversation with friends, that I realize how abnormal it is.

While I don't get to read as much as I used to, I'm still probably one of the only college student/PR intern/sorority girls who uses her library card regularly. Whenever I'm home during the summer, I head over and get a big stack of books - that way I always have something to ready by the pool, at the beach, in the backyard, at night when there's no good TV shows on, etc.

Obviously I'm not at home right now, and with work I don't have as much time to read, but I've still got a mile long wish list of books I'd love to crack open some time this summer. It's got a bit of everything -  hot new books, the "next-Harry-Potter/Hunger-Games", girly chick lit for the beach, stories, novels, etc. After all those years of mandatory summer reading of books you hated, it's nice to finally be able to make my own summer reading list - and definitely much more enjoyable to work my way through it!

And if you have any recommendations, comment!

01.  THE BONE SEASON - samantha shannon

02. CRAZY RICH ASIANS - kevin kwan

03. THE SUITORS - cecile david-weill

04. THE LOVE SONG OF JONNY VALENTINE - teddy wayne

05. A HUNDRED SUMMERS - beatriz williams

06. THE INTERESTINGS - meg wolitzer

07. ALL THE SUMMER GIRLS - meg donohue

08. WEDDING NIGHT - sophie kinsella

09. THE SILVER STAR - jeannette walls

10. DARE ME - megan abbott

11. THE ENGAGEMENTS - j. courtney sullivan

12. LADIES NIGHT - mary kay andrews

13. THE YONAHLOSSEE RIDING CAMP FOR GIRLS - anton disclafani

14. QUEEN OF THE TURTLE DERBY - julia reed

15. REVENGE WEARS PRADA - lauren weisberger

16. THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER - junot diaz

WEEKEND LINKS

So much to read, so little time! Here are some goodies that caught my eye on the web this week.

01. SHORT STACK: a kickstarter project to create handmade cookbooklets - small-format cookbooks that focus on a single, inspiring ingredient, with recipes culled by an awesome tastemasters and food writers.

02. HIGHBROW SUMMER READS: a list complied by flavorwire of some good summer reads, both in quality and plot. can't wait to add some to my summer reading list!

03. LOEFFLER RANDALL'S PRE-FALL ACCESSORIES: beautifully crafted shoes and bags for all the cool cats out there. my favs are the lock clutch and the damaris platform sandal.

04. ONLINE TOOLS FOR AN ORGANIZED LIFE: laicie of one thousand threads' tips for online sites and apps to help keep your life O.T.O.T. (on time, on target). i'll be downloading some of these for sure!

05. WHAT, WHY, AND HOW TO STYLE HAIR: into the gloss kills it with this feature that demystfies the hair product aisle in sephora.  what's the difference between wax and pomade? which should you use? when should you use it? all that and some quirky illustrations to boot - a must bookmark.

image via the coveteur.

BOOKMARK

These two books ended up in my library bag during my last trip. I'd already read the first Freakonomics book and loved it, and of course, J.K. Rowling is J.K. Rowling.  Superfreakonomics is just what you'd expect if you've read the first book - filled with interesting observations and studies and ideas that you never would have thought of.  Extremely interesting and awesome dinner table conversation material!  

As for the Casual Vacancy, I'm torn. It was really slow in the beginning - not that much action, and so many characters/relationships that I couldn't keep them straight.  Finally, around the middle it got really good. The plot picked up, I got involved in the characters' lives (and because of all that build-up, felt like I knew them really well).  And then I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Something you were lead to believe was important didn't end up being that important, and the end of the book felt a bit abrupt to me. Then again, I'm one of those people that likes a lot of closure, so you never know. I definitely recommend Superfreakomics if you like books that like, and if you've got some time on your hands or are a fast reader like me (it's a thick book), pick up the Casual Vacancy and see what you think!

SUPERFREAKONOMICS / THE CASUAL VACANCY

BOOKMARK

Now that I'm on summer vacation, I've got so much more time for reading.  One of the first things I did when I got back was make a trip to the public library (I think I might be the only person under 60 who still goes regularly...). In the coming weeks, I'll keep y'all updated on what's currently on my bedside table.  Start making your summer reading booklists - long days on the beach aren't far off!

sweet tooth / the art forger / lean in