What You're Reading This Summer
P.S. Hot sales, self-tanner, simple suppers, what we're watching and more
Dear Reader,
The idea for this round-up began when two things happened: Elizabeth packed the last of her beach reads for vacation on the East Coast and Kate responded: Elizabeth, I HAVE to start reading again.
We took that as a sign to solicit your picks with an informal Instagram poll (we’re @katerohan and @elizabeth.kendig if that’s your thing!). To our thrill, recommendations rolled in fast and furious, with something for whatever piques your pontoon. May this list inspire you to slow down and pull up a lounger before summer is out or, as in Kate’s case, put down the podcasts and remember the joy of a juicy novel.
Cheers,
Kate & Elizabeth
MOST LOVED
The Women by Kristin Hannah got multiple shout-outs from men and women alike. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (of Dear Edward fame) also made your lists and we couldn’t agree more.
BUZZIEST
Miranda July lays her midlife awakening bare in All Fours and while that might not be everyone’s cup of iced tea, if our much cooler friend and The Fold Mag founder Amanda Carter Gomes says to read it, we don’t ask questions.
BEST STACK
Bridget B. has impeccable taste and loves to read so don’t think twice about working her entire list:
Lies and Weddings
Sandwich
The Summer Pact
The Unwedding
Very Bad Company
EURO VIBES
The Sicilian Inheritance is the book that got Amanda P. reading again. Niki R., recommends Glynnis MacNicol’s romp through Paris in I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself. (She also says Wives Like Us by Plum Sykes is cute!) Liz D. read and loved Big in Sweden and is now listening to Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
NEW CLASSICS
While Erin E. is reaching for Joyce Carol Oates and Toni Morrison, Stephanie N. is re-collecting The Baby Sitters Club paperbacks because “the crazier the world gets, the more I feel this deep need to travel/regress to what at least FELT at the time like a simpler time.” Libby L. picked up an oldie but goodie in Maybe in Another Life and loved it.
NOT SO BEACHY
Need a break from all the rosé-fueled summer flings and improbable happy endings? Rachael C. suggests Generations Reimagined, an exploration of the real differences and profound strengths of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and beyond. Although she is currently reading Beach Read for book club, Whitney B. tackled Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew for intellectual and timely reasons. The co-author, Emmanuel Acho, also wrote Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Christie F. is finding Bill Maher’s What This Comedian Said Will Shock You as funny as it is on point.
MOST ANTICIPATED
Elizabeth: Once I finish Swan Song, Elin Hildebrand’s 27th and final novel in her Nantucket series, it’s on to Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s Long Island Compromise. I’d buy this for the cover alone, but her writing truly smashes (see: Fleishman Is in Trouble). While this new plot sounds rather heavy for a summer read, Devon K. reassures me that the tone is fun, even when dark. I’ve also mentioned my love of The Most Fun We’ve Ever Had in a past LFQ so was thrilled to hear from @nceezy that Claire Lombardo’s latest, Same As It Ever Was, is the perfect summer read.
Kate: Wow, I feel so outed yet so thoroughly inspired. It’s funny you mention the brilliant Fleishman Is in Trouble because that literally may have been the last thing I read. That or Where the Crawdads Sing. Shoe Dog has now been collecting dust on my nightstand long enough for me to admit it’s never going to happen. I don’t know how I became so bookless (well, maybe I do), but I’m finally, finally ready to put an end to this terrible drought. LFG!
P.S.
Elizabeth was on a podcast! Year after year, still the most natural-looking facial self-tanner. Has anyone tried Brooke Shields’ newish hair care line, Commence? Couples Therapy somehow keeps getting better. BABES is cute for girls’ night in while Under the Bridge is a solo-binge must. Consciously constructed Marion Parkes are on summer sale, as is this popular linen dress that J.Crew is practically giving away. The addictive dumpling tomato salad we didn’t know we needed and a super-simple garden pasta we’re making all season. See you in August!
Got a pressing question you’d like us to tackle or something you think our readers would love? Drop us a line at lesfemmesq@gmail.com.