The Best Books I read this Summer

I read some pretty fantastic books this year and my summer reads were spot on. It’s rare that I read FOUR books back to back and can say that I loved all of them! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t share with you? So here you go, the Best Books I read this Summer!

Are you on Goodreads? I do their Reading Challenge every year and my goal is always to read 25 books a year. Usually I just make it or I fall short a book or two but I just finished my 25th book so not only did I make my goal but I’m pretty sure I’ll hit 30 books this year! I read some great books the last 10 months but my summer reads were on fire. I enjoyed every single one of them!

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

5/5
This was not only my favorite book I read this summer, it is the best book I read all year. Dare I say it might be one of my favorite books……ever?! Spanning from the 1940’s to today, this heartfelt saga tells the story of one man’s life, beginning and ending in post-war Ireland. Cyril is born out of wedlock to a teenage girl that is cast from her rural Irish community and then adopted by a well-to-do eccentric couple in Dublin. This book make made me laugh out loud, cry, feel angry, get sentimental, and pretty much feel ALL THE FEELS. I can’t recommend this book enough! In fact, I recommended it a handful of people and not one has come back without rave reviews! For a more in-depth review, check out THIS from The Irish Times.

Still Me by JoJo Moyes

3/5
This is the third book in the Louisa Clark trilogy. After loving the first book, Me Before You, I was sorely disappointed in the second book, After You. I was hesitant to read Still Me (that’s how disappointed I was in After You) but I’m glad I gave this third book in the series a chance. It was a delightful read. This was the Louisa I was waiting for after Will’s death! She moves to New York ready to start a new life and embrace a new adventure while still maintaining her relationship with her ambulance boyfriend back in London. Things are never that easy though- especially for Louisa! A full circle book about love, reconciling your heart, and ultimately going home. A quick, easy read. Find NPR’s book review of Still Me HERE.

Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

3/5
I didn’t love this book but I really, really liked it. It came from as a recommendation from a friend. It’s about a 14-year old girl, June, who’s uncle dies of AIDS in the 1980’s and the subsequent relationship she develops with his boyfriend. June’s family has a contentious dynamic. Her sister is literally falling apart and June is sneaking to NYC to meet with her uncle’s boyfriend all without their parents even noticing. I found it all a little sad. I didn’t particularly like the characters but the book was well written and it was worth the read. Find the Publisher Weekly’s review HERE.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

4/5
I’m a sucker for Japanese culture and historical fiction. I had a hard time putting this one down. Pachinko spans eight decades and four generations, of a poor Korean immigrant family’s fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan after being exiled from their home. Pachinko is story of family, identity (or lack of), love, death and survival. I struggle to even summarize this book as it covers SO much. It was a beautifully written history lesson. For a more in-depth review read THIS as the New York Times does a way better job at selling this book than I do.