The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland by Rebekah Crane
Outsider, Zander, meets an eclectic group of campers at a summer camp for teens who are coping with various mental health disorders. Together can they overcome the obstacles within their own brains? Despite the fact that the characters in this book are dealing with some serious issues, the story is fairly comical and clever. It’s a pretty quick read at 272 pages and though geared toward a teen audience, very entertaining for adults as well. The ending is a little too good to be true but it’s a fun ride for a summer read.
This book contains: emo teens, prescription drugs and Breakfast Club references.
Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford
If you can’t afford to summer in the Hamptons, Stephanie Clifford’s Everybody Rise, will give you all the classist snark you need to make you feel like you are. Evelyn Beegan’s family is new money in an old money society. As she struggles to keep up with those who have it all, her life begins to spiral out of control. An inside peak at the 1%’s 1%. It might just make you feel better about your financial situation.
This book contains: designer clothes, debutants and fruit stripe gum.
Her by Harriet Lane
Women’s friendships are complicated. Emma and Nina don’t appear to have much in common and live in very different worlds. What is it that draws Emma and Nina together? Mystery ensues as one woman begins to draw the other out of the doldrums of motherhood. Sinister motives lurk around every corner in this twisty, semi-thriller. The truth may surprise.
This book contains: British people, flashbacks and an ending that may keep you up at night.
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Young Nella marries a man she hardly knows and moves to a place she has never been in hope of a better life. After all, there were not a lot of choices for a woman in 1686. Things get weird fast as she settles into a large dark home in Amsterdam. An Absentee husband, menacing sister-in-law and spying servants may be the least of her problems. Her new husband’s gift of a doll house type cabinet that replicates her own home seems to hold the secrets of its inhabitants. As the cabinet is filled with new items, strange things come to pass that are reflected in the replica. Is the cabinet a copy of the life surrounding it or is it prophesying the future? This popular novel has sold over a million copies in 37 countries and the rights have been purchased by the BBC. Filming for the television series has begun.
This book contains: canals, tons of sugar, one-upmanship and a bird.
Palm Trees in the Snow by Luz Gabás
Although not as dark as the previous book, this one goes last for the pure density of it. At over 600 pages this is not a light read. Translated from Spanish, Luz Gabás’ novel spans decades and introduces many characters with names you will not know how to pronounce. These factors can make for a challenging read. However, Palm Trees In The Snow is absorbing historical fiction about a time and place I knew nothing about. The Spanish colonization of Equatorial Guinea brought wealth to that area of central Africa, but hardship for many of the native people, as the Spaniards reaped the rewards of a bustling new economy. As Clarence digs into her family history she unwittingly breaks open old wounds. Love, race, economics and politics are center stage in one family’s saga of hope, loss and remembrance.
This book contains: occasional strange intrusions from the author, cocoa, machetes and racism.
The book flight is complete. What is your reading palate thirsty for this summer?
Written by Leanne
Current Obsessions: Leanne is a wife, mother of 2 and currently unemployed. Her writing has been featured at GirlBodyPride.com and The Huffington Post. She is currently avoiding writing a memoir of her summer as an exchange student. Follow her nowhere, because that would be stalking, as she does not tweet, blog or insta. She doesn’t even own a smartphone!
