I have been reading a lot more lately, especially since it is summer and I don’t have as many school obligations. I have always been a reader, and I was made fun of for reading when I was younger. I still am, in a teasing way, now. But I have always loved the quote “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one. ” – George R.R. Martin. I think that is beautiful, and so true. I always love talking about books with other people who love reading, so I’ll discuss my top three reads this summer (so far).

First, is Beach Read by Emily Henry. A heartfelt, interesting story that explores life’s issues, and characters who must pick themselves up after hardships. Unbeknownst to them, they would be picking each other up too. January Andrews is a perky romance writer, and Augustus “Gus” Everett is a brooding literary fiction novelist. College rivals, they are less than enthusiastic when they learn they are neighbors all these years later. They have both come down with a case of writers block. But when they strike up a deal by switching writing genres, they decide whoever finishes first gets bragging rights, and that no one will fall in love. What could go wrong? I read this in the middle of June, and it has been one of my favorite summer reads so far!

Next is The Green Mile by Stephen King. I have heard of the movie, and many of my family members have talked about the movie. When I found out about the book, along with the fact that it is written by Stephen King, I knew I wanted to read it. Paul Edgecombe is a prison guard at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. He oversees the death row prisoners, what they do, how they are, and he’s overseen many executions. But now he has to watch over John Coffey, a giant of a man who’s been convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering two nine-year-old girls. John Coffey may look dull, but he’s about to make Paul’s life a whole lot more interesting. This story is so eye opening, beautiful, and heartbreaking all at the same time. I just finished this, and it helped get me out of a reading slump.

Last, but not least is All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Theodore Finch is the class weirdo who has always been obsessed with taking his own life. Violet Markey is one of the most popular girls in school, and she just lost her older sister, her rock, who she loved so much. She isn’t sure she can go on. So what happens when “Ms. Perfect” and “The Freak” (according to their classmates) get paired up for a school project, touring their home state of Indiana. This story is so heartbreakingly beautiful, unfortunate, and so important. I read this in early June, and loved it.

Thank you for reading. Tell me some of your favorite reads of the summer so far, and stay tuned for a post about my most anticipated reads for the end of the summer. Thanks again!