To me, one of the best parts of a beach vacation is that you can sit down with a cocktail and just read. I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s extraordinarily relaxing to do nothing but lay in a lounge chair all day, have someone bring me snacks and booze, and lose myself in a book. Luckily, Joe is the same way, and most days, we sat outside and just read and read and read. The result? I read a lot while we were gone. All these books, plus several magazines, and I thumbed my way through the Fifty Shades series when I ran out of stuff to read, thinking it’d be breezy poolside reading. It was. It was also just as bad as it was the first time.
Anyway, I thought I’d share my thoughts on the four new books I read! Maybe there’s something good you’ll want to pick up over the holidays. You can click on any of the books below to learn more about it.
{Image Credit: Intro book photo via Elle Moss Etsy shop}
I’ve been in the market for some new reads. Thanks for the tips!!
I’ve been wanting to read the Mindy Kaling book! Glad to be introduced to the others, too. Glad you enjoyed your vacay!
Great book ideas, I will be adding to my ever growing list of things to read.
Right now I am rereading the Great Gatsby, can’t wait for the movie!
xo, Kenzie
http://www.CaveGirlintheCity.com
Great suggestions! If you need any more for your list, anything by Jhumpa Lahiri — Unaccustomed Earth, The Namesake, Interpretor of Maladies — is phenomenal. And, The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker was excellent.
All the Best,
Bethany
aluckyfifth.com
I’ve read all the Lahiri books — they are among my
faves! She’s an unbelievable writer.
ahhh the namesake is my favorite book ever. i should really read her other books!
cannot wait to read super sad true love story this weekend!
Oooo I haven’t read any of these! Thanks for the suggestions :)
I’m in love with Mindy’s book! She’s hilarious.
Yay! I’m always looking for new books to read. I’ve read Mindy’s book (more than once) and I’ve recently started Super Sad True Love Story. So far, I love it!
Alyssa
The Glossy Life
I’m about 80% done with SSTLS and really enjoying it! I sit in the corner of our sectional giggling to myself, and I’ll be sad when it’s over. I’m totally in awe of Gary Shteyngart’s talent!
i absolutely LOVE to know what others are reading and WHY they liked them (or didn’t!). my “to-read” list is constantly growing and growing. right now i’m reading Bel Canto- I would definitely recommend it!
bossypants was hands down the funniest book i’ve ever read – i pass it on to all of my gf’s! if you’re looking for a great psuedo self help book that isn’t lame, bethenny’s place of yes was a game changer for me. love mindy and have been meaning to pick up this book – thanks for reminding me! x
thanks for the reccos!
Loved SSTLS although it is a bit creepy in that it’s believeable… Just read Michael Ondaatje’s “The Cat’s Table” – he’s a wonderful story teller, great writer.
Agreed on the believability part! There were times I was laughing
to myself about how ludicrous it sounded, and then was like “Oh…wait.
That’s not that far away from reality!”
Social satire at its finest.
I’m about to start traveling pretty soon and am looking for books to read on my trip so it’s great to find some recommendations! I’ve been meaning to read Mindy Kaling’s book too…but when I saw Super Sad True Love Story, I just had to click on the link. I’ve heard about it but never really checked it out, but now I’ve read the excerpt on Amazon, I just have to get it to find out what happens next! It kind of reminds me of Cloud Atlas, which is a movie that I’ve just added to my to-be-watched list!
I read Loose Diamonds too…some of her stories were pretty interesting. OK I need to finish reading Andy Cohen’s book and then I’ll need to get Mindy Kaling’s!!! Love her. xox
Yay, I love it when we get a chance to catch up/slow down with our reading!
The majority of these are on my must-read list! I really need to download a few to my Kindle ASAP. Also, I’m not into audio books, but Tina Fey actually did the audio book for “BossyPants” and after I read it, I listened to it on the advice of a friend. TOTALLY WORTH it.
Chelsea
Haute Child in the City
I’m not a huge Mindy fan, but I’ve heard the book is great. I have to grab a friends and decide for myself now!
Life Unsweetened
I’m glad you enjoyed Mindy’s book – it’s one of my favorites. And I’m a huge Gary Shteyngart fan, but have been waiting for my next long flight before picking up his latest book – so thank you for the rave! Adding the rest of the books to my list.
Oh my goodness, your reading list is practically identical to mine. I maintain a 50+ book constant “wish list” on Amazon, and, except for the first, all of these books have been on it or are currently on it.
What you said about Mindy Kaling’s book echoes exactly what I’ve told people about it – it’s funny and sweet, but it just doesn’t hit the bar that Tina Fey set wiht Bossypants. Still worth a read, but read Tina Fey first!
Rules of Civility is hanging out on my list right now – so glad you gave it a rave review!
I have to be honest, I just couldn’t make it through Super Sad True Love Story, and I NEVER give up on a book. The first chapter or two was just so strange that I dropped it. However, I hear it gets better if you push through the first few chapters, so maybe I should give it a second shot?
Based on what I could tell from the first couple chapters of SSTLS, if you like that, you’ll also like A Visit From the Goon Squad. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011 and is just SO fantastic and layered. Also, part of it is set in San Francisco!
I would also recommend anything by Jeffrey Eugenides, particularly Middlesex and The Marriage Plot. His writing is BEAUTIFUL. Come to think of it, he also won the Pulitzer…
Great recommendations! I love finding someone who has great taste in books – please keep these posts coming!
Natalie
Name’s Not Ashley
I hear what you’re saying with SSTLS. It DOES get better, and the
diary format from the first chapter changes dramatically in the second.
I’d say give it a go again!
What a list – I’m so glad you had the chance to read Mindy’s book! I loved it. I haven’t read Bossypants yet, but thanks to you, I reserved a copy at the library just now. I’m also looking forward to starting SSTLS now too! I’ve recently finished The Fault in Our Stars and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? and highly recommend them both!