Summer Reading List 2012

Do you have a list of books or magazines to read over the next few months? Today's post brings my 2012 Summer Reading List. I rounded up some titles that the girls and I will be checking out this summer. While I don't have a lot of time to read, I read quickly when I make the time...Maybe we can compare notes?

To me, one of the ultimate guilty pleasures is to sit by the pool or on the beach with a good read. And actually read it. The girls are old enough to occupy themselves for small stretches, so my dream of relaxing poolside may come true for short periods of time this summer!

Here's what I'm looking forward to diving into (no affiliate links here...a few of these authors have great sites):

1. Spring Fever- Mary Kay Andrews

This one comes out on June 5, and I'm going to TRY to save it for our beach trip in July. If you have never read anything by MKA, you should know that she is hilarious. I am never able to put her books down. She writes plucky, likeable heroines, and I love the style and love of junking that she infuses into each novel. Start with Hissy Fit if you are a new MKA reader! (It's still my fave)


2. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) - Mindy Kaling

In one brief title phrase, Kaling shows us that she's going to bring the laughs. Really, what woman out there hasn't wondered the exact same thing about her friends?! If you don't know who Mindy Kaling is, she writes for The Office on NBC, and she also plays Kelly Kapoor--one of the most hilarious characters on the show. This should be a good read.


3. Game of Thrones- George R. R. Martin

So I'm not really into hobbits and warlocks and dirty people, etc. But I do like princesses, and I saw a commercial for the HBO show, and there was definitely a princess. Or someone who maybe looked like a princess. Also, my brother-in-law thinks I might enjoy it, so I'm going to give it a shot. It can't be any worse than reading Moo Baa La La La to Natalie 17 times a day for 6 months straight.


4. Continue the Stephanie Plum series- Janet Evanovich

I'm getting ready to start Hot Six. I request these from our local library, so sometimes I have to wait awhile in between books until the next one comes my way. They are pure fluffy, fun reading. I. like. Joe Morelli. (Hubba hubba) They were set in the early 90s, I believe, so I always have to change Stephanie's outfits around in my head....Spandex biker shorts and Doc Martens? No! Skinny jeans and riding boots? Yes!

I'm sure there will be others...my Bible study group from MOPS will most likely be doing a fun book study on motherhood and friendships. I have another great group of friends who wants to do a chick-lit style book club this summer.

For my girls?

1. Continue the Junie B. Jones series- Barbara Park

Junie B. is kind of bratty, but Natalie and Michaela Byrd get the biggest kicks out of her antics.


2. Henry and Beezus- Beverly Cleary

We borrowed this one on CD from the library, but haven't listened to it yet. Books on CD make car rides more enjoyable for everyone! If your kids (particularly boys) haven't read any of the Henry Huggins books, they must! These are classics. My girls love listening and learning about how kids in the "olden days" (the 1950s) lived. Cleary wrote the books because the boys in her library couldn't find any realistic books about "boys like us." She later wrote the Ramona books (equally adorable), which were made into what appeared to be a horrible movie.

3. Anything Fancy Nancy- Jane O'Connor

These are some of Michaela Byrd's favorite books. The girls got a whole bunch of the soft covers for Christmas, and we have yet to read through them all.

4. Any storybook they pull off the shelf at the library

We go to the library several Saturdays a month, and the girls seem to enjoy tearing through the children's section in a mad dash to select a book before the other one does. We end up with some odd choices, but at least we're reading, right?

So...what's on your Summer Reading List? Do you make time for reading?


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