If you’re the podcast listening type (and you really should be because podcasts are fun), you might remember that in addition to the Fountains of Carrots podcast I co-host with Christy, I’ve been joining my friend Tsh Oxenreider once a month on The Simple Show to chat about books.
Usually we just each share about one book we’ve read lately and loved. But this week, we shared summer reading ideas!
As we chatted about the books we picked (we each chose five–three we’ve read and two we plan to read), I realized that over the summer I’m drawn to books that are compelling. Not necessarily easy reads, although summer can be a nice time to relax from meatier books, but books that have a little something that keeps you turning the pages. Maybe some mystery, maybe just delightful prose, maybe a story and characters you’re fully immersed in. Summer is no time to be slogging through a text. It’s for the fun reads.
You can listen to the whole podcast here:
And you can check out our summer reading suggestions here:
This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
1. Tsh’s pick:
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
2. My pick:
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
3. Tsh’s pick:
Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
4. My pick:
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
5. Tsh’s pick:
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
6. My pick:
Possession by A.S. Byatt
7. Tsh’s pick:
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
8. My pick:
Father Brown: The Essential Tales by G.K. Chesterton
9. Tsh’s pick:
Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
10. My pick:
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
And I really can’t let you get away without an exuberant recommendation to add Tsh’s newest book to your summer reading list. It is far and away Tsh’s finest work so far. As I’m reading it, I’m having a hard time believing that I KNOW THE PERSON WHO WROTE THIS. It’s that good. No wonder it’s a best seller. It’s so beautifully written and compelling–perfect for summertime. But I warn you that it will make you want to go adventuring…
At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider
What’s on your summer reading list?
Currently finishing up Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. –UGH! Not enjoying it, would not recommend it. I know it’s famous, but never again. 🙁
I’m slowly working my way through The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. Hoping to gain some traction and finish that one up before the end of June.
Also on my summer reading list are Surprised By Joy by C.S. Lewis, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 🙂
I haven’t read much Vonnegut (maybe some in high school?) but I didn’t love it. And I want to read Agnes Grewy and Tess of the D’Urbervilles, too!
When you’ve read it, I’d be curious to know your thoughts on Tess. I read it in high school (which admittedly was not the best idea) and loathed it. Read it again for my undergraduate Lit program, no change. It took me almost 20 years before I picked up another Hardy book–Far From the Madding Crowd, which feels like it is written by an entirely different person!
I’ve heard that it can be quite a slog so I’m curious to see how I like it! I’ve read Return of the Native, but maybe I should read another Hardy before Tess!
Thanks for all the ideas!! I’m reading Father Brown right now! Gotta love a sleuthing preist!
I finished the introduction by P.D. James and I’m ready to dive in!
I did not like I Let You Go. Similar to Tsh, it took two library check outs to finish it. The twist is good, but I felt blind sided by it mostly because I didn’t find the character likable. She was even less likable after I realized what happened. Ultimately, the twist is good, but I’m sad I wasted time finishing it. The Secret Keeper was a far better I-did-not-see-that-coming twist with likable characters. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is on my TBR list, so I will move that to the top. I am also working my way through a Jane Austen flight. I just finished Persuasion, and have Mansfield Park and Emma are on my summer list.
Mansfield Park and Emma are so good!
I don’t know if you’ve read any Kazuo Ishiguro but he is a beautiful writer.. remains of the Day is my fav. Never Let Me Go is a bit disturbing… but his newer one called The Buried Giant was so cool and funky. A story surrounding this married couple set in a sort of a surreal modern mythical world. It’s the type of book I want to discuss and unpack with others!
I LOVE Remains of the Day! I’ll have to check out The Buried Giant!
I’d definitely recommend Ocean at the End of the Lane (just finished this yesterday and enjoyed it) over Good Omens, which we read for my book group. The humor just didn’t land for me in Good Omens and it felt so dated.
Good to know! I’m glad I’m starting with that one!