12 Fun Books to Read This Summer

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to pick out some great books and get lost in them. Summer reads, in my opinion, must be page turners, highly entertaining and not require too much brainpower. Here are my 12 favorites:

The Glass Castle by Jeanne Walls

This is one of my favorite books of all time. It is one woman’s memoire of growing up with three siblings in a deeply dysfunctional family. Jeanne’s parents were brilliant but incredibly dangerous parents who moved the family from one adventure to the next in such locations as Nevada, Arizona and, finally, West Virginia. The book will leave you stunned, angry, and hopeful. One thing is guaranteed—you won’t be able to put this book down, nor will you ever forget the story.

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

The movie was so dumb that there are just no words. But the book is hilarious. I read this book on an airplane and couldn’t stop laughing at loud. I think my seatmates thought I was nuts. The whole series is actually very funny.

The Hunger Games trilogy

I read the entire three book series in six days. The movies are terrific and so are the books.

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

A light and fun book in the chick-lit genre. A story of three women bound together by their relationship with one charming, yet dangerous, man. One character, Marnie, is an alcoholic and the author’s description of her addiction is riveting, sad, and gripping. It has given me new insight into the horror of alcoholism.

Game Changer by John Hellemann and Mark Halperin

The book details the 2008 race for the White House, “starring” Barrack Obama, Hilary and Bill Clinton, John McCain, Sarah Palin, John and Elizabeth Edwards, and a whole lot of other co-stars. I learned a lot about the political process, the way elections are won, and the drama behind closed doors that we don’t get to see. While we know how it ends, the journey getting there is fascinating.

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

One of my favorite books, it tells the story of Amber, a bold and brazen woman who makes her way up through the ranks of 27th century English society.

The Stand by Stephen King

This novel is, in my opinion, Stephen King’s masterpiece. A superbug kills ninety percent of the world’s population. In the United States, the “good” survivors congregate in Boulder, and the evil survivors in Las Vegas. Over 1,000 pages, I finished it in less than seven days.

He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt

All single people must read this book! If you’ve ever wondered if your new guy (or girl) is really into you, read this book and there won’t be any second-guessing. Plus, it’s hilarious.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson

One of my favorite childhood books, I’m reading it with my eight year old daughter. It’s a beautiful story of an orphan who finds love, purpose and friendship by discovering a secret garden that no one has had access to for over a decade.

Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr Kevin Leman

Need some parenting help? Look no further! The tips in this book will help you transform your wayward kid in no time. The only trick is learning how to retrain yourself.

Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner

This may be chick-lit but Jennifer’s writing is beautiful. Fun, light, yet significant.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

This true story is about Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific theater, spent 47 days drifting on a raft and then more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in several brutal Japanese internment camps. One of the most memorable stories I’ve ever read. If Louis can forgive his captors, I can forgive anyone.