I laughed out loud at the Marshall Mathers comment 😂 this is such a good summer TBR! So many great titles, I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the coming months 💯
I'm reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein right now and enjoying it! The prose style + subject reminds me of Sally Rooney's novels - have you read any of hers?
I'm delighted to see The Nix on your list. I love that novel so much and get excited whenever it gets some love. The Guest is definitely a great summer read, too. Great list! Thanks for highlighting backlist stuff when so much focus is on new releases.
Have so much fun on your vacation!! I’m so excited for you and all the reading/relaxing you’ll be doing. Please eat a chicken tendie for me.
This Time Tomorrow sounds so fun but also emo, especially knowing Emma Straub’s dad passed away not too long ago.
I’ve heard mixed things about The Guest. Probs won’t read.
Still loving Cleopatra and Frankenstein!!! It’s sad, it’s fun, it’s messy, it’s intriguing!
Woodworm sounds so good and def added to my list. That will probs be my next fun summer read. Also kind of want to read Jennifer Romolini’s Ambition Monster which comes out next month.
oh gosh I didnt know that about Straub's dad this is going to be an emo moment... Woodworm sounds SO good I may break my hardback or kindle rule for this one.. have not heard of Ambition Monster will keep an eye out for that one on pub day
Interesting selections! Some of these I wouldn't have pinned for summer reading but I can see how they'd work. My Summer TBR is filled with lots of advance reader copies of romances. I'm excited!
I definitely feel that way about other lists too - The Atlantic one seems like it takes WAY too much brain power for the summer lol. But I don't read a lot of romance and thrillers have been too formulaic lately so here we are trying to dig up a good feeling!
Thanks for the shout-out Natalie. My guess is that you wrote about The Secret History in your personal essay, but I am more Ravenclaw than Gryffndor so I may be missing the obvious. I too hope to catch up on The Guest by the water this summer.
No— not unfair!I I am excited to learn more about whatever the unguessable title is and how it shaped you. But I can’t promise I won’t try to guess again…
So delighted you decided to give love a chance, haha! I think you might really like Do Tell--it's juicy and smart and atmospheric--and if you haven't read The Murderbot Diaries, I'm four books in and quite enjoying it.
Natalie, looks like you have some good options for your summer reading. I haven't read anything on your list so can't speak to their enjoyability but it is good to have a nice selection to choose from.
I am reading Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy, Pat Conroy's The Great Santini, and working my way through some of Steinbeck's lesser known works from the later part of his life.
Those sound like excellent reads! We are starting East of Eden at the end of May and I am truly looking forward to it. I need to temper all these beachy reads with some more thoughtful things too
A few thoughts! These Precious Days is amazing - a series of essays, some of which I'd previously read in the New Yorker, but so powerful, and one that you can easily pick up and put down. I'm one of the few that hated The Guest. This Time Tomorrow is a great beach read; different from what I expected. And I loved Beach Read - so smart although still a "beach read." Enjoy!
Oh, I was planning to read The Guest but I haven’t yet because I am afraid I will hate it too. What should I be warned about? As Natalie says, nothing worse than picking the wrong vacation book!
Here's what I wrote after I finished it: "Liska Jacobs's review (in the NYT) made me want to read this book. I wanted to like it and I was on board for a while, but in the end, nothing really changed and the self-sabotage and poor decision-making annoyed me!"
I have heard lots of people did not like The Guest which makes me want to read it even more to see what I think! I am excited for the others then :) MISS YOU!!
I laughed out loud at the Marshall Mathers comment 😂 this is such a good summer TBR! So many great titles, I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the coming months 💯
Hes a poet what can i say lol Looking forward to forcing my opinions on everyone as well ;)
I'm reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein right now and enjoying it! The prose style + subject reminds me of Sally Rooney's novels - have you read any of hers?
I read Normal People and loved it! I havent read any of the others yet. I can get on board with that style
I'm delighted to see The Nix on your list. I love that novel so much and get excited whenever it gets some love. The Guest is definitely a great summer read, too. Great list! Thanks for highlighting backlist stuff when so much focus is on new releases.
That's so great to hear! I love finding those books that have a secret cult following. And glad to be of service :)
I want to read This Time Tomorrow too!!!
It just seems so wholesome!!
This has been wonderful inspiration for me to sort out my summer TBR! Once I get my hands on The Bee Sting it’ll all come together ….. 😉
why can't it just come out in paperback now lol!!
Have so much fun on your vacation!! I’m so excited for you and all the reading/relaxing you’ll be doing. Please eat a chicken tendie for me.
This Time Tomorrow sounds so fun but also emo, especially knowing Emma Straub’s dad passed away not too long ago.
I’ve heard mixed things about The Guest. Probs won’t read.
Still loving Cleopatra and Frankenstein!!! It’s sad, it’s fun, it’s messy, it’s intriguing!
Woodworm sounds so good and def added to my list. That will probs be my next fun summer read. Also kind of want to read Jennifer Romolini’s Ambition Monster which comes out next month.
oh gosh I didnt know that about Straub's dad this is going to be an emo moment... Woodworm sounds SO good I may break my hardback or kindle rule for this one.. have not heard of Ambition Monster will keep an eye out for that one on pub day
I own The Nix and have yet to read it, and if you're looking for an Octavia Butler standalone, Fledgling is good. (Two words: Black Vampires.)
ok wow Fledgling I am SOLD. I will check out the used bookstore today and see what i can find!!
I used it as part of my Master’s thesis, it’s great. I have quibbles with the plot structure towards the end but really liked it overall.
thats saying something if it was in your thesis!!!
Oh I hope you love Beach Read!! It had me sobbing in my closet at 4am during lockdown in 2020. This is such a nice little backlist - happy reading!!!
Now that’s an endorsement of Beach Read if I ever heard one!
It isn’t an Emily Henry book until you’re sobbing through the third act 😂
I have never read any of them but between your endorsement and Natalie’s rationale here I might need to try it!
in your closet!!! awww hahaha thank you :)
Interesting selections! Some of these I wouldn't have pinned for summer reading but I can see how they'd work. My Summer TBR is filled with lots of advance reader copies of romances. I'm excited!
I definitely feel that way about other lists too - The Atlantic one seems like it takes WAY too much brain power for the summer lol. But I don't read a lot of romance and thrillers have been too formulaic lately so here we are trying to dig up a good feeling!
I know— I looked at that list and I became so confused about what “summer read” is supposed to reference! At least they didn’t suggest Lispector!
right?? classics are not usually on my summer lists but to each their own!
Thanks for the shout-out Natalie. My guess is that you wrote about The Secret History in your personal essay, but I am more Ravenclaw than Gryffndor so I may be missing the obvious. I too hope to catch up on The Guest by the water this summer.
That is a great guess!!! I am more Ravenclaw as well and I don't think the book I picked will be obvious so maybe it was an unfair question :)
No— not unfair!I I am excited to learn more about whatever the unguessable title is and how it shaped you. But I can’t promise I won’t try to guess again…
So delighted you decided to give love a chance, haha! I think you might really like Do Tell--it's juicy and smart and atmospheric--and if you haven't read The Murderbot Diaries, I'm four books in and quite enjoying it.
Ooo yes Murderbot I have heard wonderful things!! Great suggestion. And very excited for Do Tell :)
Natalie, looks like you have some good options for your summer reading. I haven't read anything on your list so can't speak to their enjoyability but it is good to have a nice selection to choose from.
I am reading Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy, Pat Conroy's The Great Santini, and working my way through some of Steinbeck's lesser known works from the later part of his life.
Those sound like excellent reads! We are starting East of Eden at the end of May and I am truly looking forward to it. I need to temper all these beachy reads with some more thoughtful things too
A few thoughts! These Precious Days is amazing - a series of essays, some of which I'd previously read in the New Yorker, but so powerful, and one that you can easily pick up and put down. I'm one of the few that hated The Guest. This Time Tomorrow is a great beach read; different from what I expected. And I loved Beach Read - so smart although still a "beach read." Enjoy!
I'm usually not one for essay collections but I *love* Ann Patchett so I think I need to give These Precious Days a try!
honestly same!!
Oh, I was planning to read The Guest but I haven’t yet because I am afraid I will hate it too. What should I be warned about? As Natalie says, nothing worse than picking the wrong vacation book!
Here's what I wrote after I finished it: "Liska Jacobs's review (in the NYT) made me want to read this book. I wanted to like it and I was on board for a while, but in the end, nothing really changed and the self-sabotage and poor decision-making annoyed me!"
I have heard lots of people did not like The Guest which makes me want to read it even more to see what I think! I am excited for the others then :) MISS YOU!!
Miss you too!!! Let's have lunch and book chat this summer :)
guilty pleasure is what I need right now, but that makes me happy there is a little depth, i need that to balance the drama usually!