BEACH READS: My June Reading Picks
Summer is here!
Well, almost. The solstice might not be for a couple more weeks, but school is out (or nearly so), the days are getting longer and hotter, and my mom brain is fried. When it comes to my reading habits this time of year, I'm in the mood for something fun that goes down easy.
If you're like me and needing some recommendations, look no further. Whether you're planning a beach getaway, an afternoon at the neighborhood pool, or just looking for a literary escape while the kids are home all day, here are my picks for summery reads for the whole family.
PICTURE BOOK - Goldfish on Vacation, by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Illustrations by Leo Espinosa.
Goldfish on Vacation is inspired by the true story of how a dilapidated fountain in New York City was transformed into a summer playland for the neighborhood children and their goldfish, breaking them out of their boredom and bringing some excitement to their lazy summer days. It's a super cute story in it's own rite, and those familiar with Sally Lloyd-Jones will recognize and appreciate her narrative style. Plus, the illustrations are adorable.
PICTURE BOOK - Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey.
Being from Maine I grew up with Robert McCloskey's books, and Blueberries for Sal was a definite favorite. Sal and her mother go picking blueberries and unwittingly share the same blueberry patch with a mother bear and her cub. A classic story with beautiful and charming illustrations, this Caldecott Honor winner is worth adding to your library.
PICTURE BOOK - The Sandcastle That Lola Built, by Megan Maynor. Illustrations by Kate Berube.
Lola starts building a sandcastle on her own with the intention of inviting mermaids to move in. But as she meets new friends she invites them to add their own touches to the ever-growing creation. Aside from being a cute story, I really appreciate how each time Lola encounters a crisis she finds a way to make lemons into lemonade, and her friends learn to do it, too.
TEEN FICTION - The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han.
Belly spends her summers at the same beach house every year, which they share with family friends and their sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. Belly grew up with the boys; they're practically like brothers. But this year everything is different- Belly's not a kid anymore, and the boys have noticed.This is the first book in an earlier series by Jenny Han of To All the Boys I've Loved Before fame. While Belly isn't quite as lovable as Lara Jean from To All The Boys, it's still a fun and drama-filled read.
CLASSIC - The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
A cutting story about the American dream in Jazz Age New York City. One of the great classics of the twentieth century.I remember when I read it for the first time. Pretty ladies drinking mint juleps in the hot, New York summer sounded so glamorous to a fifteen-year-old in the suburbs. That's what makes it a great summer read. The heat drives the characters not only to drink, but to lust, jealousy, and revenge - exactly the kind of book you want to throw in your beach bag. Bonus points if it's on your highschooler's summer reading list.
ADULT FICTION - Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty.
A small beach town in Australia. Mommy politics at school. Family drama at home. Secrets, lies, and gossip.This is the first book I've read by Liane Moriarty and I devoured it in two days. The story tackles everything from helicopter parents to bullying to sexual assault to domestic violence. It's filled with plenty of relatable mommy moments and some unexpected twists. It's no surprise HBO wanted to make it into a series (which I haven't seen yet, but really want to!).