That thing you only have time to do in the summer...READING!

Welcome back everyone!

Sorry for the hiatus, brown&black took a longer vacation than expected but is back.  When I think of summer I think of many things, the beach, no school, getting money, seeing old friends, concerts, baseball games, etc. but one of the things I get most excited for is time to read all the novels I've been hearing about all school year.  I've been a book worm since I was little, no I was not one of the kids who would keep reading while we were doing stretches and sit-ups at swim practice (you know who you are), but I can go through a good book in no time and love doing so.

I got old school this summer and picked up a library card.  I've checked out probably every chick-lit the Abington Library has available and don't plan on stopping any time soon.  I have already read a bunch of books this summer so here is a review of some recent reads:

The second in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo triology was better than the first book (which I loved!) in my opinion.  The action begins a lot quicker than in the first novel so I was hooked from the beginning.  You also get to know the backstory of the mysterious main character Lisbeth.  Highly recommended.

 

I have read my fair share of Jodi Picoult books and they all generally address a controversial ethical issue and a trial of some sort.  These two do the same but were not my favorite of Picoult's books.  Change of Heart involves a death row victim and his last wish before being executed.  It leaves many questioning who he is and if he is actually guilty of the crime he will be killed for.   There were strong religious undertones (not my style), but it is a good read.  Handle with Care I liked better but had a hard time reading at certain points.  It is about a daughter who has a rare disease that makes her bones extremely brittle and easy to break.  It follows the breakdown of a family as the mother is involved in a law suit that is supposed to give her daughter a better future.  Good book but sad throughout.  I disagreed with the mother's actions and did not like her very much.

This book is funny, honest, and entertaining, a perfect summer read.  The author also wrote In Her Shoes, which was made into a movie with Cameron Diaz, among other books.  I loved that this book took place in Philadelphia (where Weiner is from) and that her characters seemed very relatable.  It is about a women getting over a break up and pulling her life together after second-guessing her decision to end the relationship.  Go read now.

I just finished this book today after just starting it this weekend.  It tells the story of two best friends over the span of 3 decades and the ups and downs that come with life and love.  I loved this book- the characters were really well developed, the transitions from decade to decade were interesting, and the story really grabbed my attention.  This book gets very sad in the end, like me balling my eyes out sad, but it is worth it.  A great book!

I have read more books this summer but those are the ones that have stood out to me.  Books I plan on reading soon- Salem Falls, The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, The Help, Cum Laude, The Hunter Games, Bossypants, and A Place of Yes.

Have you read any of the books mentioned above?  What did you think?

Any recommendations of good summer reads?