By Natalie DeYoung
Along with non-streaky sunscreen and a frosty bottle of water, a good book is an indisputable necessity for your beach bag. With summer halfway over, intelligent ladies the world over may have possibly plowed through their summer reading list at breakneck speed. However, we at HaveHeart have got you covered! Whether you prefer humorous essays, supernatural tales, character-driven fiction, YA, inspiring essays or just plain beautiful writing, there are plenty of newer books just begging you to dive in, the water’s fine.
The Night Guest, by Fiona McFarlane
Those searching for an intelligent mystery need look no further than this captivating novel. Not only does it carefully weave a plot of love, trust, aging, and fear, but it does so in such a subtle, thought-provoking way that by the end the reader is reeling.
Every Day, by David Levithan
For those who read The Fault in Our Stars and now feel an aching void and are at a loss as to what to read next, look no further. Like most YA, this book is simple and direct, but its hauntingly human moments examine what it means to love profoundly.
Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This book is for everyone, everywhere, at any time. In an outstanding examination of race in America, Adichie tells a story of love and loss plaited into a story of identity and race. She examines these tough issues in a way that never feels false or preachy, but rather honest and sharp, as well as achingly human.
Doctor Sleep, by Stephen King
If you’ve been wondering what happened to little Danny Torrance from The Shining for the last thirty years, or you just enjoy a good supernatural thriller, then King is always a safe bet. This story not only keeps you on your toes, but is filled with redemption, perfect for those who prefer their summer reading to have a kick.
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, by Ann Patchett
After reading Patchett’s collection of essays, you may be called to become a writer. Whether or not you do, you will no doubt be inspired by this crafter of words. Her style is personal and engaging, and her subjects take the everyday and transforms it into something special.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened, by Allie Brosh
If you need a laugh from your summer reading, stop right here. Brosh’s book, based on her wildly popular blog of the same name, does not disappoint in its satisfying mix of her more popular blog posts along with new material. Her irreverent style, blunt honesty and dark humor balance her trademark style of simple cartoons, telling complex stories with simplicity and genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
Heroines, by Kate Zambreno
For those missing their women’s studies classes, or for those who want to go back to the raw depth of women’s memoir, or simply hardcore feminists, Zambreno’s work speaks to all that and more. With clarity and a high level of informed scholarship on Modernist women, she takes us through the journey of women’s expression like none other.
The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sometimes when reading what Elizabeth Gilbert writes, the splendor of her words feels like a dish to be savored. This beautiful, highly acclaimed novel takes us back in time to the early days of exploration and scientific discovery, and does so with breathtaking prose and hearty, alive characters that will undoubtedly touch readers.
The Interestings, by Meg Wolitzer
Okay, this one was popular on last year’s summer reading lists, but it deserves another run, as this book takes us from youthful summer camp for the arts all the way to modern New York. Following a group of talented youths who remain friends over the years, Wolitzer’s novel takes the character-study to a whole other level. It examines questions of friendship, success, what it takes to make it as an artist, and how money affects people’s outcomes in life – a pertinent, rich read!
