Best Summer Books I've Read Lately

Jul 30

July 30, 2015

Morning Glory by Sarah Jio

Morning Glory by Sarah Jio is still one of my favorite books -- I read it last summer and want to read it again! And I hardly ever read a book twice...except for classic favorites like

Jane Eyre, The Awakening, and Little Women. Comfort books.

Morning Glory takes me back to the early 90's when newly married and working in Sales for Hilton Hotel in Arlington, TX.

I attended a meeting in Seattle, WA, but instead of staying at the designated hotel, my friend Andrea suggested that I stay at her houseboat on Lake Union. I will never forget waking to the seagulls, the cozy flannel sheets, the warm terry cloth bathrobe and the stack of books Andrea had left for me. I want to go back.

Morning Glory is a story about a houseboat community on Lake Union and a romance mystery masterfully told.

I have also rediscovered Jeffrey Archer this past year. In the 80's one of the widely read books was Archer's Kane and Abel.

The Clifton Chronicle Series

Last summer I read three books in the Clifton Chronicle Series and waited until February when the fourth and final novel in the series was published. Archer weaves a multi-generational saga that follows the Clifton and Barrington families from 1920 to the present and takes place in Bristol, England. Archer's signature style is to end with a 'cliff-hanger' -- so it was quite a wait for the final novel in the series!

More Must-Reads by Jeffrey Archer

Two more must-reads by Archer are A Prisoner of Birth and Paths of Glory. A Prisoner of Birth is an unforgettable page-turner about an unfortunate event that forever changes the life of a young, newly engaged man -- with endearing characters and powerfully written.

When the body of George Mallory was found near the top of Mount Everest in 1999, having been last seen 600 feet from the top, the question arose as to whether he had been the first to reach the summit. Paths of Glory is George Mallory's story.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Another great summer novel is The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. With humor, romance and suspense, this novel follows the life of a quiet bookstore owner experiencing lower than normal book sales and his life changes suddenly and significantly when an unexpected 'package' appears.

Currently, I am reading Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers. Powerful and unforgettable;

and The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant (author of The Red Tent). Fascinating story about a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston's North End in the 1920's.

Added bonus: Anita Diamant will be appearing at Duxbury Free Library next Wednesday, August 5 at 7pm!