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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
