My 3 Favorite Books of Summer

I can't stop talking about them.

Summer is when I read the most. Part of that is because of my writing schedule. When the kids go back to school, I go back to my desk, and I spend most of the fall/early winter revising and drafting. It’s more challenging for me to lose myself in another author’s words when I’m trying to formulate my own. So I read nonfiction or I read mysteries or anything that feels a bit distant from whatever I’m working on.

This summer, I managed to read a dozen books but three of them stood out as the best.

In the comments, please share one or three of your best reads of summer.

And now, my picks!

Pick #1: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

One word review: Engrossing.
I began seeing this book everywhere in mid-July, and then my friend Jules from The Literary Lifestyle published a piece saying it was her favorite book of summer. Sold! I downloaded the audio and as soon as I began to listen to it, I couldn’t stop. So many books are hyped and then you read them and you’re like: Eh. What was the big deal? Well, this one has everything packed in: mystery, suspense, fabulous characters, gender dynamics, multi-timeline, and incredible writing.

Liz Moore wrote the dynamic and un-putdownable Long Bright River. When I read that one a few years ago, I remember being drawn right into her heartbreaking and tense sister storyline. The writing! The writing! On the page, Liz is clever and full of deep emotion and universal truths. I can’t say enough good things about this book.

Pick #2: Long Island by Colm Tolbin
One word review: Powerful
I saved this one for the end of summer. A part of me didn’t even want to read it because I disliked the premise: How could you take the beloved characters of Eilis and Tony from Tolbin’s 2010 novel Brooklyn and set a book around their marital discontent? Well, Tolbin wasn’t done with those characters, and apparently, neither was I. The book follows Eilis, her inner turmoil and her outer strong and silent nature. Even though the book is called “Long Island,” it’s mostly set in Ireland when she returns home to see her mother and old friends.

Tolbin writes in simple, emotionally resonant sentences that pack so much punch in their construction. He reminds me quite a bit of Hemingway, only Tolbin delivers all the feels where Hemingway might have held back. Ultimately, though, what I loved most about this book is how far the characters push themselves out of their comfort zone, only to ricochet back into their lives. A stark reminder that while many of us long for changes in our lives, we rarely adopt entirely new selves.

Pick #3: The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
One word review: Deep
J. Courtney Sullivan’s latest has been a bit of a quiet release, despite the fact that it was a Reese pick. That being said, I’ve read all of her books and I had to read this one, too.

The first third of the novel is set up as a spooky house story (LOVED IT), but don’t be fooled. This isn’t only about paranormal ghosts; it’s about the ghosts of the people we once loved haunting us throughout our lives. Sullivan’s ability to capture complex family relationships won’t disappoint in her mother daughter main characters, but there’s more going on in this novel. Friendship disappointment. Lots of history. Lots of beautiful descriptions of Maine. And most importantly, she explores what it’s like to go home again — as a failure and finding yourself once more.

If you missed this one, give it a try. I really loved it.

Now tell me, my friends. What was one of your favorite books of summer?