It's summer and that means tons of reading time to pass long hot days. At least for me... Since in Arizona, I cannot really go outside due to the 118-degree weather! I spend most of my free time curled up on the couch with a good book in the air conditioner. I become a frequent inhabitant to my local library to chill in the cool air by stacks of books. Since there is absolutely nothing I want to do outside in Arizona other than swim. 



Even in late July, our pools become bath water and I don't even want to Swim. Or, summer often brings travel for me. For that same reason because I want nothing more than to get out of the heat. I never go to a pool or beach without a good book in my hand. Or travel in an airport without a book to read while waiting. It's one of my favorite pass times reading by some body of water. Here are some good books to bring with you on any occasion really but especially to breeze through with a good drink or sunblock in your hand.

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
A boy and girl falling in love for the first time. Eleanor comes from a lower-income family and instantly bonds with Park. This was such a sweet and heartwarming novel. It will give you all the warm fuzzies. Also, the ending isn't predictable for once!


2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Set in the summer and a perfect suspenseful story! You will not see the ending coming. This is one of my favorite books and a five star read for me. I love the family aspect of this novel. This book gives me summer in The Hamptons Vibe!!


3. Turtles All The Way Down by John Green
One of my new favorites. This one greatly represents what it's like to have OCD as a young adult. It's a great one to take with you on any vacation and you will breeze through it. I read it in one sitting and did not want it to end. Romance and suspense! What more would you want from a good book?


4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
This is my favorite Nicholas Sparks novel and it always gets me in the summer beach mood. I read this book in a day. PLEASE PLEASE read the book before you see the movie. Then, go and girl squeal over Miley Cyrus and Liam falling in love literally while filming this movie. Nothing but cuteness happens in this book. You'll cry, laugh, and smile.


5. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
This has been one of my favorites since a young pre-teen. The main character Liz is dead and goes to Elsewhere. Elsewhere is a place where you age backward before being reborn again. It has a Benjamin Button feel but this book evoked so much emotion for me. The book gave me chills. Grief, death, and loss are the main topics and you will begin to question your own purpose in life. It made me really think about what is important in life. I will never get tired of reading this book. You will not be able to put it down. I finished in one sitting.


6. Our Town by Thornton Wilder
This is actually a play but one of my favorites. The play goes through a young girls life living in a little town. I cannot express the emotions you will feel reading this. After finishing this, please go watch a live version in person or on Youtube. There are many professional adaptions online that you can watch. For example, the movie with Paul Newman. It's a classic. I love seeing into the lives of the people in the town. The play is set in the early 1900s. That ending gives me all kinds of emotions.


7. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Do not watch the movie before reading the book. The movie leaves out so much greatness that cannot be missed! This is one of my favorite true stories ever written. It is about a poor family in America and a young girl. Despite her upbringing, she makes something of herself. This chronicles her life from poor to rich and the steps she took to get there. The book taught me perseverance. One of the most beautifully written books that I have ever read. The family does spend plenty of their time in the book at the pool and in the hot desert to get you in the summer mood.


8. White Oleander by Janet Fitch
There is also a movie out about this book but read the book before seeing it. I was glad that I read it before. You will too. The movie leaves so much out that I wouldn't even count it together. The movie was just sub-par in my opinion. Kind of a letdown for me. The book is absolutely amazing! It chronicles a girl and her life within the foster care system in America. How foster kids are treated etc. Sometimes, completely heartbreaking. The book will pull at your heartstrings and you will not want to put it down. I needed to know the ending. I became very attached to the main character of this book. Self-discovery is highlighted.




Those are some great summer book reads that you can get started on. That is if you haven't read them yet. If you have read some, please, let me know in the comments below and what you thought about them. I would love to know. Do you have any exciting plans coming up this summer? Are you going anywhere fun? Hopefully, I can make it to the beach just once. Stay cool and do not forget the sunscreen! No one wants wrinkles. :)

xoxo,