35 Comments

Impressive collection of lists for sure! I am an outlier in that I am ambivalent about summer reading guides and don't pay them much attention. Now, if someone wanted to do this for fall books I would be all over it!!! Some titles I am looking forward to this summer: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, Long Island, Mind Games by Nora Roberts, maybe a Novel Story by Ashley Poston, Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman.

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I totally forgot about the new Liz Moore! I really enjoyed the plot and character development, including the sibling dynamic between the sisters, of her last novel. Curious to what unfolds in this new one, which sounds like an enthralling family saga set in the Adirondacks.

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Thank you! I just started Long Island on audio, so far I’m really liking it. @Sara Hildreth puts together a fall reading guide I love, if you haven’t taken a look at hers definitely check them out

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Wow, great research, I'm saving all links to take a look later :D

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Thanks Ani:)

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This is an amazing culmination of your research Renee. I liked the Oprah.com list. Some interesting memoirs on there. I finally finished Brooklyn so of course I’m going to pick up Long Island. I started the new Abby Jimenez and I’m enjoying the light hearted reading it’s providing. So many great choices. I can’t wait to hear what everyone’s thoughts are. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, as we not only remember those who gave their lives for our country but also the start of the beautiful summer season.

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Thank you, Beatrice and well said for Memorial Day plus summer reading. What did you think of Brooklyn?

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I enjoyed it. I also listened on audio. It’s a book about coming of age, immigration, family, choices that one has to make and grief. So much to think about and the writing was very good because he did it in under 300 pages. I’m excited to read the sequel. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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Is Brooklyn the prequel to Long Island? I did not know that. Is it necessary to read it.

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It is the prequel. I think it will enrich my reading experience now that I’ve read Brooklyn. There are a lot of facts about the characters and their history.

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Thank you. I have Brooklyn and it is a short book so I’m going to read it. I think I did but can’t remember. Was surprised to learn it was released in 2009.

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Yes. It goes quickly. Try the audio if you can.

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Wow Renee, thanks so much for gathering all these Summer reading links for us in one spot. Fantastic!

I think my favorites, though I have yet to finish browsing them all, are Oprah.com and Booklist Queen!

I am most excited at the moment to get a copy of Long Island by Colm. Tóibín from my local library. They were just a little slow getting copies, but I think I am number one now! I belatedly read Brooklyn in preparation and absolutely loved it. But interestingly it seems people either loved it or not. I guess that is often the case.

I just finished Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing for book club and although it is an excellent read, it was super depressing, so I may need some lighter fare for now.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner

How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore

The Ministry Of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

Along with Long Island, those are my current active library holds. Not bad!!

Have a copy of Wait by Gabriella Burnham & Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan that I won on Goodreads.

So I think I am set. And of course as my holds are picked up, I will add more titles.

It’s never ending. I love Summer. My favorite time of the year. Just hope it does not get quite as hot as our last Texas Summer. But if it does, I’ll be indoors, fingers crossed with a/c, reading a good book.

I miss you on the podcast.

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Hi Ann, so glad you're enjoying these lists- I love Oprah's too. Maine has been on my summer tbr every summer for years, maybe this will be the summer I actually read it😅 I'm also planning on reading Sandwich, Real Americans, and Swan Song

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Wow! So many lists! I'm looking forward to Summer Fridays and This Summer Will Be Different -- as well as books from earlier in the year that I haven't got to you -- Green Dot, I Hope This Finds You Well, etc

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I HOPE This Finds You well is also on my tbr!

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This is amazing, thank you so much!! Very much appreciated!

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You're welcome, I have a lot of fun browsing the lists to include:)

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That is a LOT of reading lists you've compiled, Renee. Well done! I'm probably a bit of a weirdo in the reading world as I stay away from Oprah's reading lists (they're usually very sad and too deep as I'm reading for escape). But I'll definitely check out some of these others. :)

Glad you had a nice long weekend and hope the summer is full of many more happy memories.

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thank you! I love research and making book lists so I have a great time putting these lists together. I hear you about Oprah and I get it, I’m not sure why I tend to go between being in the mood for juicy family dramas or dark murder books in the summer 😅 I’m looking forward to chatting books with you and my other subscribers this summer, I hope we can share some great reads with each other

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Looking through these and loving!! I particularly loved the nonfiction link - most of the recs I have read but this falls in line with what I said about some of my faves being from the summer. I remember reading Just Mercy at the lake one summer. I think it was before my sisters had kids and the days were quieter 😂

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Thanks friend! I’m embracing the fact that any book we read in summer can be considered a “summer read” I tend to want to read darker, serious books in the summer - serial killer reading on the beach😅

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Kudos to you, Renee, for all the research that went into sourcing and curating so many different lists with a wide variety of genres and books. I am currently reading NightBitch by Rachel Yoder. I wanted to cross it off my TBR ahead of the film adaptation arriving this fall. I'm excited to read Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner; The Pairing by Casey McQuiston; and Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange. I've also heard excellent things about "Real Americans," Rachel Khong's new novel.

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Thank you Mike! I also have Long Island Compromise in my summer tbr and I’m with you, I keep seeing rave reviews of Real Americans so I’ll need to try that soon

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Love this roundup Renee. Modern Mrs. Darcy has always been a favorite of mine. I am excited to dive into this list for more recommendations ☀️

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Thanks Kelly!

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Hi Renee! I am most excited about The Guncle Abroad, a follow up to The Guncle. It came out last week and I started on audio. So far, so good 🤞I’ll let you know!

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I hope you love it!

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Well, great list for me to get lost in on Wine Wednesday aka Hubby’s golf league day 😀. On to what books I am looking forward to reading this summer. I am very much anxiously awaiting for your review of You Are Here as this is my most anticipated read for the summer. A few other books that I have in mind but our subject to change because of mood are Long Island, How To End A Love Story, and The Women. I know that I am late with this last book but I could not bring myself to read it when everyone else was reading it. After I go through these list, I am sure I will be back to revise which books I will be adding to my summer reading list. Happy memorial day everyone!

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I think these lists will make for perfect Wednesday Wine Browsing:) I set You Are Here aside - only because I felt myself really wanting a mystery/thriller and I got the audio copy of The God of the Woods which I'd been dying to read - I have complicated feelings about it, will get my review up soon....but I'll be returning to You Are Here and will let you know what I think asap

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The audio book releases tomorrow on Audible. I am currently reading Wolf At The Table. You are correct in saying that it is easy to fly through this book. Started it yesterday and have five hours left and I am thinking I probably will finish it today. I do not know what keeps me reading this book but I cannot put it down. Just saw a review for Real Americans which I have had on my Audible which list for sometime now. Thinking of moving that up on my list of books to read. I have not even gone to any of the links you provided yet and already I am adjusting my TBR list.

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Wolf is quite propulsive isn't it? I'll be curious to hear what you think when you finish, my oldest son's name is Alec so that was interesting and a bit weird for me to get used to

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Ok what the H did i just read??? I could not stop thinking about the book when i got in bed last night. I have so much to say but i need to try and organize my thoughts and put it into an email so as not to spoil it for anyone.

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I'll be looking forward to your email- Wolf is THE book I can't stop thinking about this month

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