We all remember those summers with required reading throughout school. Never fun when you are forced to read something you might not have picked up yourself. Now days we get to pick our own reading material in the summer and not suffer through painful plot lines that probably initially ended up with us reading spark notes LOL. I am sharing some of my favorite all time, and recent reads, for your summer pleasure as well as the books that have ended up on my summer list! So get comfortable by the pool or prop your legs up in the air conditioning and get ready to read!

Recommendations

A little background on books I like to read. I enjoy either lighthearted romances, fashion focused plots and mysteries. Kind of covers a lot haha but one thing I do not like is sad books, I like to keep myself laughing or be on the edge of my seat wonder what is going to happen on the next page.

1. Crazy Rich Asian Series by Kevin Kwan: I am finally finishing up the third book of the series right now! I picked up the first last summer before the movie came out and am just getting around to finishing the series up now. The perfect series to binge read back to back, wish I had read them that way! It encompasses family drama, love, comedy, culture, really a little bit of everything!
2. Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella: We all know the classic Shopaholic movie, but did you know that it is a huge book series?! The series is so lighthearted and easy to read, a perfect poolside book. Throughout the series you follow the shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood and how she grows and learns throughout the years.
3. When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger: Where are my Devil Wears Prada fans at!? Man how many books do I read are associated with movies? LOL. This is the sequel to the iconic book and movie. Follow Emily as she is now an image consultant and the crazy situation she has to pick up and fix.
4. Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave: I first read Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave and loved the book. I picked up her newer release that follows Famous chef Sunshine Mackenzie and the trouble she falls into. Her personal life and information is hacked with all her secrets coming out. The world turns on her and forces her to move back to her childhood home.
5. My Not so Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella: Sophie is also the author of Confessions of a Shopaholic. I really love her writing style and how she connects you the reader to the characters and story. Makes it hard to put the book down! Katie Brenner is a girl who longs for the “perfect” life and learns through some trial and tribulation that life isn’t always greener on the other side.
6. The Classics: Okay so I had to through these two in. I actually read both of these in high school during required reading. Not all required reading books in school turned out to be bad, because these two are my favorite books ever. If you haven’t read The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I need you to stop what you are doing and pick these books up. They are truly classics for a reason and everytime I even see the book covers I smile. I am sure you know the plots by now with movies being created on both these classics, but do yourself a favor and pick up these American classics. Honestly highly considering re reading these this summer.

Books on my Summer List

1. Mary Kay Andrews Novels: Mary Kay Andrews writes the perfect beach/poolside books. Such an easy read, and keeps you wanting to read more. I read Hissy Fit last year and LOVED it. My Mom got me Beach Town and The Fixer Upper for Christmas and I cannot wait to finally read this summer!
2. Influencer by Brittany Hennessy: As nightlife blogger, then social media strategist, and now Senior Director of Influencer Strategy and Talent Partnerships at Hearst Magazines Digital Media Brittany gives her tips and tricks on how to master the social media game. I love learning from those who are specialized in the industry so I cannot wait to read!
3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: Okay so this has been on my reading list for awhile but recently it was announced the book was becoming a movie staring one of my favorites Lucy Hale! So that helped bump this up to the top of my list. The Hating Game plot involves a workplace rivalry where Lucy (the characters name is also Lucy) and Joshua are up for the same promotion…but in the end they might not hate each other after all.
4. Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder: Where are my Vanderpump Rules fans at?! If you don’t know what that show is then you are obviously not a Bravo TV fan. Stassi wrote a book covering all the basic things in life. I have to pick it up since she is hands down my favorite cast member on the show.
5. Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis: I feel like I am soooo behind on this book. Rachel also just released Girl Stop apologizing. Rachel discuses the twenty lies and misconceptions that too often hold us back from living joyfully and productively.
6. The Last Time I saw You by Liv Constantine: I read The Last Mrs. Parish book last summer by Liv and heard this one was just as suspenseful and interesting! Ready to be caught in suspense.

What books are you reading this summer?!