Lindsey's Summer Reading List

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari - Ansari's stand-up routines are always hilarious, and his debut book delivers as well. He partnered with sociologist Eric Klinenberg, and together they interviewed and researched modern dating habits. Some of the findings are what you would expect, but there are surprises thrown in as well.

What if? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe - The creator of web comic xkcd has gathered together existing blog posts along with new content, providing scientific answers to questions such as 'Could you build a jetpack with downward facing machine guns?' It's a fun beach read, with short chapters that go by quickly, but cause you to think as well.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - This novel recently won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and it's well deserved. Following both a blind French girl and a young German soldier it takes place during World War II and explores human connection and interaction.

On Lindsey's to-read list:

Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow - Apatow has been fortunate enough to interview comedy legends since he was only 15 years old. This book gathers together some of his favorites, including conversations with Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart and Louis C.K. It seems certain to make one laugh out loud.

Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee - The follow up novel to To Kill a Mockingbird, this book tells the story of Scout returning home to visit her father when she is in her mid-twenties. With the civil rights movement happening in the background of the story, this book seems very timely for today as well.

Tyler's Summer Reading List

It's hard to believe we're halfway through summer!  We have had time to get through a few juicy, beach-y reads, and have a few still to get to.  Some of Tyler's favorites so far:

A Fine Romance by Candice Bergen - This one is great as an audiobook, with Bergen herself reading her story.  The model, actress, and Murphy Brown star has lived a pretty amazing life, and we loved hearing about her family, marriages, career, travel, and bi-coastal lifestyle.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - This book has been compared to Gone Girl countless times, but it's definitely one of the best can't-put-down mysteries to come along in awhile.  Perfect for a lazy weekend at the beach, in the backyard, or on the couch.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan - A fun and frothy story of a big, super-wealthy Asian family based in Singapore, this book is at once informative (there is a lot we didn't know about the culture in Singapore) and a total guilty pleasure (love, fashion, and money are major themes).

On Tyler's to-read list:

My Paris Dream by Kate Betts - Betts has long been a favorite fashion editor, and we can't wait to read this memoir of her time in Paris, where she got started in the industry.  The cover is also gorgeous!

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson - A companion book to the recent bestseller Life After Life, this tells the story of one of Life's supporting characters, heroine Ursula's brother Teddy, focusing on his childhood and his experience in WWII.  Anything by Atkinson is always well worth reading.

Summer Reading List

We are halfway through summer, but still have so many weekend trips, beach days, and afternoons by the pool ahead of us. These are some of our all time favorite books for those days.

Tyler's Picks
-Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe, 1987
An engrossing read that deals with themes of race, class, and status, and that has barely aged in the nearly three decades since it was written.
-Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe, 2011
Rob Lowe's memoir is a fascinating tale of his life from Midwestern lawyer's son, to part of the Brat Pack, to happily married father and TV star.
-Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, 2012
This was a must-read last summer, and well worth picking up if you haven't read it yet. The narrative takes place between Hollywood and the Amalfi Coast, and bridges half a century.
-People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry, 2010
Sometimes you want a darker beach read; this book is a fascinating true crime story that explores British, Japanese, and Korean cultures.
-Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, 1966
The ultimate guilty pleasure, this book is campy and fun - perfect for a summer's day. But it's also a classic, so it will inspire some interesting conversations.

To Read: The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, 2008
This Australian novel is an international best seller has long been on my to-read list. The Slap is told from multiple points of view after an incident involving a child being slapped by an adult at a party, and it seems just the right balance of thought-provoking and sensationalist for summer.

Lindsey's Picks
-Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger, 1953
Short stories are always a favorite option for a vacation read, since they are easy to start and stop. Salinger captivates with this selection. 'Teddy' especially is a great piece of writing.
-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813
If you've never read any of Austen's work, this is a great place to start. Even if you've seen the movie(s), I recommend picking this up.
-The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, 2000
I love Margaret Atwood's story within a story writing style for this book, and the mystery will have you intrigued until the end.

- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, 2011
This vacation read has a little bit of everything: history, science, technology, romance, mystery... Part one of a three part series, this one is set in Oxford, France and New York and follows a witch discovering her power.
-Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga by Hunter S. Thompson, 1966
This memoir holds a special place in my heart since it takes place in the Bay Area. For anyone who's ever wondered what life is like in a motorcycle gang...

To Read: Artemisia by Alexandria Lapierre, 2001
This work of historical fiction tells of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a female Renaissance painter who overcame some pretty serious hurdles on her way to a place in history.