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What’s better than a breezy summer day and a good book? Well, being on vacation on a breezy summer day with a good book certainly comes to mind, but not everyone gets to take a leisurely summer vacation from the dullness of daily life. No matter where you are, though, books make for a fantastic “getaway.”
You probably have your personal favorites, but here’s a look at some of the summer’s best reads. You can find these books on eBay and in various retail stores. Pick up one (or a few), sit back, and let the escape begin!
The Storm At the Door, by Stefan Merrill Block
Great love stories are popular any time of year, and this book fits the bill as a great love story. Based on the author’s grandparents’ stories, the book is a compelling look at a love torn apart. Katherine Merrill loves her husband, Frederick, but he is becoming increasingly erratic. After an arrest, she realizes he must be committed to an asylum. The book goes between the perspectives of Frederick and Katherine, and the reader will rejoice in the ending.
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
One of Starbucks’ summer picks is a wonderful novel told from a canine’s point of view. Some may find this approach to be a bit maudlin, cute and contrived, but the book is actually quite compelling in its story line. There’s love, marriage, children and heartbreak. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will surely enjoy this book.
Love the One You’re With, by Emily Giffin
Any hopeless romantic will tell you there’s always that question that lingers: “Have I really found ‘The One’?” This lovely book poses that question just as the main female character, who is supposedly happily married, runs into a former boyfriend. Because this ex is the epitome of the “bad boy” stereotype, readers will enjoy the ride.
Before I Go To Sleep: A Novel, by S.J. Watson
Summer thrillers are always worth the time, and several may find their way onto your reading list. However, this is the one you’ll remember. Christine, the main character, has a bit of a problem: She goes to sleep and forgets not only her name, but her identity, location and even who her spouse is. She uses a journal and her husband to help keep some details straight. The reader discovers that her husband may be harboring secrets from her. You’ll be torn between truth and fiction, real and the invented, which makes this a terrifying read.
Give yourself over to one of these books in a quiet corner and discover what it means to enjoy your summer!
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