Novel Escapes: Summer Reading List

Lazy days are upon us, which means you’ll hopefully make time to relax beachside, poolside or even bedside and get lost in those books that have been piling up this year. Here’s a look at what we’re reading this summer–some fluffy, some thoughtful and some about to hit the big screen, these picks are sure to sweep you away to another place without ever leaving home.

The Sweet Life in Paris (David Lebovitz): Follow acclaimed pastry chef, David Lebovitz as he packs up his things (and his dreams) and heads to Paris to start anew. He finds the wit in the most frustrating of circumstances all the while throwing out recipes of his favorite sweet treats. I dare you to read this book without laughing out loud, salivating to the point that you stop mid-sentence to bake, and finally, in the end, wanting to move to Paris and be his best friend.

Holly’s Inbox (Holly Denham): Astonishingly, the most addicting book I’ve read in ages, at 600+ pages all told in emails from a London receptionist. Coined “The Bridget Jones of the Digital Age.” fall in love with Holly as she searches for love (however unlucky) and settles into a new job away from her closest friends. You’ll root for her all the way to her website hollysinbox.com where you can check new mail, receive updates and stay in touch happily ever after.

Loitering with Intent (Stuart Woods): The latest adventures of handsome and brooding lawyer/P.I., Stone Barrington. As always, Stone sets out on a journey of mystery, sex and intrigue with his best friend Dino Bacchetti as they drink their way from Elaine’s in NYC to Key West. If you haven’t yet found your addiction with Stuart Woods, start with one of his best, New York Dead and you’ll be glad there are at least 30 to go before you run out.

The Beach House (Jane Green): Escape to Nantucket where lives that start out as individual vignettes, intertwine in the least expected way. Eccentric Nan has lived in her old house (quite possibly worth millions now) with stunning views of the sea for decades. When she discovers that the money is quickly running out, she decides to rent out the rooms for the summer. Her house becomes brimmed with new life as it transforms those that come to stay.

Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously (Julie Powell):Coming in August to a theatre near you (starring Meryl Streep & Amy Adams), your last chance to read before watching, as author/narrator Julie decides to stir up her humdrum life by cooking her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days.  What starts as many kitchen disasters turns into a newfound love of food and life.

South of Broad (Pat Conroy): Finally, the author that brought us so many beloved novels is back with his newest title (releasing August 11th) that once again sets the scene in Charleston, SC. Stemming two decades from the 1960s-1980s it follows a group of tight knit friends from high school through the ins and outs of love, marriage, success and breakdowns that finds them reunited in San Francisco for a final test of friendship. I for one, have already ordered my advanced copy.

One Fifth Avenue (Candace Bushnell): A detailed look into the lives of neighbors at Manhattan’s hottest fictional address.  While we wait for the next Sex and the City movie, we can go back to reading about the good life in Manhattan. Ah, Candace…enough said.

Pregnant Pause (Carrie Friedman): Tired of having sand thrown in your eyes by the “delightful” toddler on the beach-blanket next to you? Yeah, so is Carrie, the hilarious voice of a topic that most people don’t have the guts to say out loud.  Follow Carrie on a journey of laughs and disbelief as she becomes a one girl support group for those of you who are feeling the pressure to have kids before you are ready.  By the end, you’ll realize that there is more than one way to diaper a child—maybe you can have it all!

The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger): A love story with a twist between Henry DeTamble, a librarian who involuntarily travels through time and Claire Abshire, an artist who stays in the present. As Henry travels back and forth, the strength of their love is tested as they deal with the instability of Henry’s adventures. Look for this in theaters in August starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana.

Testimony (Anita Shreve): Sex scandal embattles a private school and the lives of its headmaster,  students and their families. Told from the rotating perspective of all involved,  this is sure to keep your Gossip Girl withdrawals to a minimum, at least until Fall.  Only this one is a lot darker, and here,  actions do have consequences.