Okay, kittens, today I want to share some of the books I've been reading on vacation this week, along with a few others on my "to-read" list. I've divided them up (ridiculously) into categories (that I made up). Check them out and let me know what you're reading now in the comments below!

 

If you're looking for a witty woman this summer...

LUCY CARMICHAEL.

Lucy Carmichael is a secret gem. It's an older novel that centers around the witty Lucy, who is left shattered when her fiancé abandons her at the altar. In an attempt to escape her overbearing yet well-meaning family and friends, Lucy accepts a job at the Ravonsbridge Institute, far away from all of her deepest ties. Ravonsbridge offers Lucy peace to heal, but with healing the Institute also grants Lucy a new bundle of problems that may lead her running back home. 

Yes Please.

Amy Poehler. Need I say more??? She's one of my favorite actors and this book made me love her even more. It's chock-full of classic Amy Poehler witticisms, basically like an episode of Parks and Recreation where Leslie Knope is the only person onscreen. 

GIRLS IN WHITE DRESSES.

Isabella, Mary, and Lauren feel like everyone they know is getting married. Week after week, they coo over toasters, eat minuscule sandwiches and cakes, but amidst the celebration these women have their own lives to contend with: Isabella works a dead-end job, Mary is dating a nice guy with an awful mother, and Lauren is a waitress at a midtown bar, wondering why she's attracted to the sleazy bartender. 

 

if you're missing your roots...

SOUTHERN LIVING.

 ...is the best magazine in the world. Southern Living encompasses my lifestyle, from its butter-filled recipes to Grumpy Gardener's ingenious advice, this magazine is brimming with amazing tips and treats. It'll fill your Southern appetite and make you miss home real bad. 

 

if you're traveling to Europe...

CUCKOOS CALLING.

The first book in J.K. Rowling's latest series--written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith--follows the life of Cormoran Strike, a private detective who is barely scraping by when fate and a wad of cash come knocking. It's intelligent, intense, and deliciously British. 

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

This one is technically a "reread," but whatevs (hair toss). Seriously though, if you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, you absolutely have to! Jane Austen's wit will not be lost on anyone (except the dense). Lizzie Bennett is the epitome of a self-sufficient woman, who defied social norms in a time when women were expected to fully rely on men. 

beautiful ruins.

I was smitten by this book from the first time I saw it. The scenery on the cover reminds me of the movie To Catch A Thief. The book begins on the Italian coast in 1962 when a young innkeeper spots a beautiful woman on the horizon. The story picks up fifty years later in modern Hollywood with a few unanswered questions. So romantic.

300 days of summer.

Have you ever wanted to run away? Probably. 300 Days of Summer tells the story of Joanna, who is trying to escape her dead-end life by traveling to Faro, Portugal. But things end up getting complicated when Jo meets Nathan, a young British student with a hidden agenda. 

 

if you need to be reminded that genuine people still exist...

UNREASONABLE HOPE.

Chad and Julia Veach are the head pastors at Zoe Church in Los Angeles, CA, and have the cutest family in the entire world. Their book is simultaneously heart-wrenching and inspirational, telling the story of their daughter Georgia, who was born with a rare brain disease. Unreasonable Hope chronicles their experience of finding faith in God's purpose and learning to cling to hope in impossible situations. 

no baggage.

Clara Bensen is wild. Real wild. But she's also really funny. After recovering from a two-year mental breakdown, Clara meets Jeff on OkCupid and proceeds to travel around the world with him, resolving to only bring the clothes she is wearing. 

 

I know this list appears to be daunting, but if you think about it, ten books is like a book a week during the summer, which is a completely achievable goal! So challenge yourself this summer by tackling this reading list (or a variation of it) and let me know what book was your favorite!

 

Reading and being sunburnt,

Em.