Written by The Strategy
Aside from the weather, the clothes, and the general sense of freedom and carefree-ness, my favourite component to a good summer has recently become a good book. There is something particularly special about books read in the summer. They often cause endearing comments such as “That one summer I read…” Flipping through the book offers a stroll through memories akin to opening up a photo album, or for the modern day, scrolling through various social media platforms and recounting stories weaved within the story on the page. Each year I look forward to toting around a new and different story that can add to the excitement of my own life.
Whether you are on the beach, a Muskoka chair, or a subway, a book is the best summer companion besides your SPF. Choosing a book can be a daunting task, which is why I’ve rounded up some options for those of us who haven’t yet selected our summer read.
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs by Sally Mann
For those who crave a true life story discovered and interpreted by the author through photographs. The famed photographer tells of her childhood, her influences, and why and how photography affects us.
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari
This exploration into what romance is in the modern day is honest and comedic, while a little heartbreaking. With apps, text messages, social media, and everything else that has bombarded if not replaced the dating scene, Aziz writes about the confusion and difficulty that goes along with it all.
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (AKA JK Rowling)
A mystery revolving around a struggling private detective, the death of a supermodel, and the world of glamour that all work into weaving a complicated web. In true Rowling fashion, there is a twist and turn at every corner and just when you think you have things figured out, the characters throw you for a loop.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Obvious comparisons to Gone Girl crop up left and right. But for fans of the genre, another book to read with a similar feel doesn’t hurt. The Girl on the Train is a thriller/mystery that takes the reader through the experiences of a worse-for-wear woman who has regular blackouts, and a stalking tendency, as well as her entanglement with a disappearance.
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Sometimes it’s nice to read about dysfunctional families that make our own seem a little more normal. That is what The Vacationers provides. Following a family on a vacation (didn’t see that coming) in Mallorca, the relationships between characters unravel as do the secrets and intentions of each one. There is something sickly satisfying about characters who aren’t entirely likeable.
Watch Me by Anjelica Huston
Part two of Anjelica Huston’s memoir falls right into place after the first instalment, A Story Lately Told. This time the focus is on the tumultuous relationship between Huston and one Jack Nicholson, which spanned nearly two decades. Major dirt is dished, and major names are dropped.
Written by Katrina Garofalo
*Image for graphic via blindenreport.de
