Last year, in an effort to find some good in summer (besides the fact that it's followed by fall, the most glorious time of the year), I made a summer reading list. My list was ambitious and I probably didn't read half of those books, but it was still fun. I decided to do the same thing this year, though with a much more manageable list. Here's what I'm hoping to read in June, July, and August!
Classics
Emma, by Jane Austen. Because I've been meaning to reread this one for almost two years now. Oops.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Though I consider this to be one of my favorite books, I've only read it once, back in 2011. So of course I'm overdue a reread, and it works out nicely with Go Set a Watchman releasing in July. To go along with those two, I also want to read a little middle grade book about TKAM called I Kill the Mockingbird, by Paul Acampora.
How Green Was My Valley, by Richard Llewellyn. I've heard good things about this one. It's about a boy growing up in a mining community in Wales, and it's supposed to be really beautifully written.
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde. After liking the web series In Earnest and rewatching the Colin Firth film (I didn't get the humor the first time I watched it, four or five years ago), I'm ready to read the play itself. :)
Middle Grade
I love good children's books, especially middle grade ones. I own a lot of them that I haven't read yet, and there's really no excuse for that since they're usually quite short and easy to get through. So I want to tackle a lot of my unread middle grade novels this summer and complete a couple of series.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, by Liesl Shurtliff. This book sounds adorable. Plus, a spinning wheel!
Wildwood trilogy, by Colin Meloy. I'm carrying this one over from last summer. I really want to read the third and final book, but before I do that, I feel like I need to reread the first two.
A Tale Dark & Grimm trilogy, by Adam Gidwitz. Same thing as the Wildwood trilogy. I've read the first two but want to reread them before getting to the third one.
The Year the Swallows Came Early, by Kathryn Fitzmaurice. A little realistic fiction mixed in with all of the fairy tale/fantasy books. :)
Miscellaneous
A Bill Bryson book. I like to read at least one travel book each summer. I haven't yet decided between Neither Here nor There (about his travels through Europe), or In a Sunburned Country, which sounds appropriate for summer. Though I know the heat here is nothing compared to Australia. :)
Unsinkable, by Debbie Reynolds. I want to read this second memoir by her while the first one is still somewhat fresh in my mind.
Since You've Been Gone, by Morgan Matson. Maybe I'll finally get around to reading a Morgan Matson book? I've heard this is a good summer read.
Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent. This is supposed to be a darker book, so even though I'm really excited to read it, I'm waiting until I'm in the right mood.
And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. This is one of her mysteries that I'm most excited for, and it's supposedly one of her best.
What are you planning to read this summer?
I love your list! There are a few there I haven't read; I must admit to never having read Agatha Christie. Cannot wait for Go Set A Watchman! TKAM has always been one of my absolute favourites. I also love young adult/middle grade fiction - I'm just starting A Curse As Dark As Gold. We are heading into winter here so great reading weather as well! I haven't even read the Bill Bryson book about Australia. I should as it is always interesting to read about your own country from an 'outsider's' persepective. I always try to re-read one Dickens a year as he is just amazing. Good luck with your reading. I look forward to hearing about it, especially what you think of GSAW when it comes out!
ReplyDeleteThe whole issue with Harper Lee possibly being taken advantage of bothers me, but of course the thought of another book by her is amazing. I hope it'll be good!
DeleteI wish we were heading into winter. :)
you read the best books. I bought Liesl and Po on amazon after reading your last list and it just arrived in the mail today!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yay, I hope you like Liesl and Po! I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to...there are some beautiful parts in there.
DeleteI've heard great things about Second Chance Summer too and recently read Morgan's "Amy and Roger," which was super cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on making a summer reading this with Top Ten Tuesday later in June. Always makes for a fun topic. :) Hope you enjoy your list, Kristin.
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour would have been my first choice of her books to read, but when I instead found Since You've Been Gone on Book Outlet, it just didn't work out that way. :)
DeleteI look forward to seeing your summer reading list!
Haha! I'll be reading Emma for the first time this summer, as well as Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility (again). We'll read it together! :)
ReplyDeleteEmma is so good! I know a lot of people find Emma to be an annoying character, but she means well and I think she's really endearing. :) I want to reread Persuasion again soon...it ties with Emma as my second favorite Austen novel.
Delete