Summer Reading: The 5 Books You Must Read Now

Your summer reading list for 2011.

June 3, 2011

Naomi Imatome,

Dive into these recommendations for some of the best books to take with you to the beach, the plane or to your staycation at the pool. Our list of picks will have something for you whether you are in the mood for mystery, self-improvement or just some wonderful writing. And please support your local bookstore!

1. State of Wonder

by Ann Patchett

A new novel by one of my favorite authors, State of Wonder is a beautifully woven tale of adventure in the Amazon. We follow Marina Singh, a research scientist, on her journey into the jungle to investigate the death of a colleague. There are snakes, cannibals and intrigue along the way, but Patchett also delivers complex characters, beautiful writing and compelling questions about love, scientific research, and personal discovery.

2. This Side of Brightness

by Colum McCann

Annie Emanuel, a sales associate at Womrath’s bookstore and the moderator of their popular book club, picked this book as a must-read: "This takes place in both 1916 and 1991, weaving back and forth… the 1916 story focuses on a group of sandhogs, the men who dug the tunnel underneath the East River for the subway trains between Brooklyn and Manhattan. It was considered the most dangerous job in America at the time. The 1991 story is about a group of homeless men living in the subway tunnel. It’s a completely wonderful book.

3. The Happiness Project

by Gretchen Rubin

This might be shelved in the self-help section of your bookstore, but don’t ignore this title even if you are not a fan of those particular stacks. I only picked up my press copy after it was recommended by Michelle Gersh from Books & Greetings, and I really enjoyed its mix of memoir, science and humor. Rubin is a charming and engaging writer.

4. A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS

by Jennet Conant

Before she was converting Americans to real French cuisine, Julia Child worked for the OSS (predecessor to the CIA). This is actually a true story- you can’t make this stuff up, people! Julia met her husband, Paul Child, when they were both working for the OSS in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). A Covert Affair is an intriguing mixture of politics, love and biography.

5. Unbroken

by Laura Hillenbrand

By the author of the bestseller Seabiscuit, Unbroken tells the story of Louie Zamperini, a former Olympian and WW II Air Corps pilot who suffered but survived two years as a Japanese POW. Recommended by booksellers at both Womraths and Books & Greetings, Unbroken has it all: heroism, adventure, inspiration and history.

Also check out: Once Upon a River by Bonnie Jo Campbell

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