Reading is
something I have always enjoyed, even as a child. In fact, there is a funny
childhood story about a time when I had a friend over for a play date and was
so engrossed with my current book that I sat on my bed reading while my friend
played with my toys. Socially, I have become a bit more apt over the years [thank
god!] but I laugh at my eight year old self in that story since I can still
become that captivated by a good book.
Whether your
weekend plans include a walk to the beach, hanging out by a pool, or even a
quiet relaxing night at home, here are a few of my favorite summer reads that I
can’t help but come back to each year.
Quite
possibly the funniest series you’ll ever come across. It takes place right here
in Jersey and each one in the series is better and more hysterical than the last – a rare
thing for a series. I’ve gotten my entire extended family hooked on these books
by now and the only complaint I ever heard: it’s embarrassing to read when
you’re alone in a public place [beach, pool…] because you will laugh out loud.
Often. The nineteenth book in the
series was released a few weeks ago and I’m just as hooked now as I was years
ago when I read the first one. While starting at the first one and continuing in
order isn’t mandatory, I would at least read the first six or seven in order as
many new and recurring characters are introduced. My personal series favorite:
To The Nines. I read it every summer and every summer I reach a scene in the
book where I am laughing the can’t-breathe-tears-pouring-down-my-face type of
laugh. Which scene is it? You’ll have to just read to find out!
This book
was originally bought for me when I entered middle school by a well-meaning family
member and it’s a book I’ve gone back to read a number of times since. Luckily,
the “birds and the bees” conversation happened early in my house so
twelve-year-old me wasn’t shell-shocked by some of the content. Lesson learned,
the words “Judy Blume” and “kids book” are not necessarily synonymous. Best part:
It’s a long book, and will easily take up a number of full beach days
reading it. Defining an entire week by one long book and a little bit of
sunburn – to me, there’s nothing better.
I’ll start
by saying that no, it does not count if you watched the movie. I’ve refused to
see it since I’ve heard the ending is different and to me, the ending of this
book was genius. It was a great book until the last page, where it became phenomenal. Be prepared to cry. I was
warned about this and shrugged it off; I never cry at books. And I didn’t cry -
until the very last page [where the use of the word cry to describe my actions would
be the understatement of the century]. My Sister’s Keeper is, far and away, my
favorite book of hers although Nineteen Minutes and Handle with Care are tied
for a close second.
Enjoy the weekend - and happy reading!
