While some recommendations may be new comers to The New York Times bestseller list, there are also some classic goodies I can't help but include for a summer read. Let's curl up on the beach (or lake or pool or couch if it's too hot to breathe where you live), avoid social interaction, and delve into some great books.
Now here are some relaxing pictures of a perfect literature oasis' to get you in the mood:
Feeling good and ready now? Really bookish? Really good about yourself if you caught my Pride and Prejudice reference? Prepared to learn about some great books? Are you kinda tired? Do you even like books? Then what are you doing here?! Love books or no deal. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered - by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
While I was already predisposed to be in love with this book since I love both of these women and their podcast deeply, this book is genuinely good. With a title inspired by their worldwide known podcast, My Favorite Murder, the entire book is just as straight forward, with just as much cursing. Although, don't expect the book to be about famous crimes and murders like their podcast. These are their stories. Stories of their childhood, good/bad first careers, and mental health history, all while being hilarious, yet sentimental.These two women have some of the most entertaining and witty humor I have ever read or listened to (the podcast people)! The formatting is different than most memoir's, since there are two authors who go back and forth between telling their stories, but it works. It reflects the ebb and flow of the podcast that put the pair on the map. They write how they talk (not as formal as some critics would have wanted), and for two women who currently talk for a living, I'd say that's exactly the kind of vibe the reader should anticipate. Although they claim to not be "qualified" advice-givers, this book is packed full of the kind of heartfelt, goofy, blunt guidance your cool older sister would give you. And that girl's seen it all.
Becoming - by Michelle Obama
Despite this autobiography being released over a year ago, it's still sitting comfortably high on the charts, and for good reason. Regardless of your political views, this is a strong, accomplished woman with stories to tell that connect to such a broad range of readers, I found myself getting unexpectedly emotional. It's well written, full of heart, and carry's a genuine weight of honesty that was also unexpected from such a public figure. She even reveals that she *GASP* smoked weed before she was an Obama, or the FLOTUS, when she was just a quick-witted teen growing up in Chicago. I feel compelled to say, however, that this is not a quick read. It took me longer than I expected to finish, but it was well worth it. Unlike many other books I've interacted with that were slower reads, I never considered putting this book down in exchange for another. I don't want to say that I was worried the first lady would be disappointed in me if I didn't finish her book, but...anyway...It's a powerful read that opened up my eyes to the humanity and realities of living as the first family. If you don't already respect the absolute hell out of this first lady (and first ladies in general, their job's hard), then you sure after finishing this book.
The Lonely Planet Travel Anthology: True Stories From the World's Best Writers
This book's a little different than the others. It's a collection of stories and experiences and outright human emotions from a plethora of great writers that want to make you feel. And you will. Each memoir is unique and projects the authors individual style. Even if you can't afford to travel anywhere incredible this summer (like me), you can read this book and feel a little bit better about staying at home, and sitting your ass back down on the couch! From the heartfelt story of a woman who visits silver back gorillas in the Congo, to the London inspirations of a ninety-year old, best-selling, mystery author. From the mysterious story of two men in a search for a lost city, to a woman's reflections on her younger self as she braved exploring Bangkok (alone) during an eight hour layover.These are just a handful of wonderful true stories that fill this book. Their stories got my brain buzzing thinking how much there is to do and see in the world. Wanderlust central here, folks.
Carry On, Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Beautiful, Messy Life- Glennon Doyle
As one of the oldies on this list, I still can not recommend this book enough. Okay, so it was published in 2013, but I was still a little baby fourteen year old who would have not been able to respect this book fully. It's fervent and full of faith and SO good. Even the parts about motherhood, that I could not relate to even slightly during this phase of my life, still had me cracking up and feeling like I was reading the words of a family member (that gives great advice and tells really funny stories). If SSDGM was by your cool older sisters, then this is by your cool aunt who isn't really your aunt, but you and your family call her that anyway. She writes of her faith, experiences with depression, love for writing, and messy life shit that more people should talk about. She describes reading as her inhale, writing as her exhale, and that could not be more true to me, as a adamant reader/writer. If you think that kind of content is what you're looking for, then damn, better strap in tight because the entire book is just as much of a bear hug as that small snippet of Doyle's wisdom.
Dear, Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks- by Annie Spence
I found this little gem at Kramerbooks & Afterwords while I've been here DC! It's so fun and written by a librarian (a very underappreciated profession if you ask me). Throughout the book, Spence writes letters to books she's loved, hated, given away, encountered drunk at a party, or even imagined that her pot-head, upstairs neighbor reads. Reflective and deeply original, it allowed me to think about the books I've loved and hated too. For every book she described, I often had my own I was thinking of that paralleled her letter. As a reader, you'll be able to resonate with sentiments towards these books, even if you haven't read them (yet...) Everyone has that one book that gives you the feeling... and Spence is able to describe that feeling, among many more I didn't realize I had for books until she told me so. This is a super fun, lighthearted read (aka summertime, bitches) for anyone who holds a special place in their heart for books and provides a sweet reminder of how magical it is for a person to find solace in literature.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood - by Marjane Satrapi
This graphic-novel (it's a memoir, but "graphic memoir" sounds violent and scary) of growing up in war ridden Iran during the Islamic Revolution is smart and beautiful, all while funny and heartbreaking at the same time. It embodies the "oldie but goodie" mentality since this book proves to be more relevant and important than ever before, despite it having been published sixteen years ago. For those who generally stray from graphic novels, this should be your exception. Satrapi tells touching, important stories of family, courage, and self identity. What's even better is that after you read and observe Satrapi's work, you can see the graphics come to life in the 2007 animated film by the same name (equally as visually gorgeous). Her stories are rip currents of emotion, full of hope and humor, with sad realities of the effects of a war-torn nation on the most expendable aspect of all: humans. (P.S. there is a second book, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return that I have yet to read but sure want to and you will too after you read Satrapi's first installment).
Furiously Happy- by Jenny Lawson
Recommended by many friends, this memoir gushes Lawson's fun, quirky vibe that had me and my nonfiction loving friends completely tickled. Candid and uplifting, Lawson was the curator of her popular blog, The Blogess, before nagging a book deal, with Furiously Happy as her second publication. After entering into one of the worst periods of her life, struggling with anxiety and depression, Lawson decided to be "furiously happy out of sheer spite." Thus, this book was born, documenting her journey into furious happiness and how it could benefit others to do the same. Anyone who has struggled with mental health or mental illness, will likely be able to resonate and laugh alongside Lawson as I did while reading. Look forward to reading about things as peculiar as, but not limited to, taxidermy that helps Lawson cope with mental illness. It’ll make sense once you read it, I promise.The lovable balance of content like this caused my reactions to vary between combinations of sentimental "aw"s and audible exclamations (while laughing) like, "What the hell did I just read?" Her ability to take something as serious, and often sad/frustrating/overall sucky, as mental illness, and make it humorous, is a pleasure to read. It's probably unlike anything you have ever read, or will read again.
Honorable Mentions (that I haven't read yet, but are in my queue and can be in yours too!)
Everybody Always- by Bob Goff
It's a bit of a newbie, having been published just last year, but quickly became Goff's most famous publication. For anyone that's religious, like myself, or anyone curious about religion (Christianity, specifically) that's not quite sure if it's your thing, this book is a good fit, with refreshing perspective. Described as not being overbearing or overly-preachy, Goff writes of a heartfelt faith and a genuine kindness that he believes we can all find within ourselves to give to others. Definition of a feel good nonfic read.
Daring Greatly- by Brene Brown
I've heard excellent things about this book from so, so many people (including the authors of Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered, AND the author of Dear Fahrenheit 451) (I haven't heard from them personally, but that'd be, like, really cool). Books that leave a lasting mark are part of the the appeal of "self-help" books, and this one has clearly impacted many. In short, Brown is encouraging readers to embrace the strength that can be found in vulnerability. Want a further look into what the book holds? Check out her 2011 and 2014 TedTalk talks about the power of vulnerability and listening to shame.
Me & Mom & Me - by Maya Angelou
This memoir, about Angelou and her relationship with her mother, collected a lot of attention when published in 2013, and continues to today as interested readers continue to pick up the book with encouragement from some famous faces (like our queen, Emma Watson). Like any relationship with a parent, Angelou depicts hers with her mother as tender and complicated, giving the reader an intimate look into the woman that helped her develop into the strong woman she was.
What are your Summer nonfiction reads, new or old?
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