The thermometer keeps going up, the sun is shining and my mind is falling into that lazy, summer induced lull. Maybe after so many years of school, my brain is programmed to switch off for a few months during the midst of summer. There’s no way I’m starting on Team of Rivals
even thought it’s next on my list. Sorry, Abe but I’ll tackle this book in the fall. Right now, it’s time for some easy, breezy and dare I say it, a little trashy summer reading.
This state of mind lead me to pick up the just released Lauren Conrad novel, L.A. Candy.
I had planned on giving you guys a fun review of the goods but the best I can muster is “meh.” I mean, it’s not completely terrible. The writing was a tiny bit better then I expected. But as far as the fun stuff – juicy, behind the scenes gossip pulled from her Hills experience, or wild Hollywood parties or anything remotely sexy – you’re not going to get it here. It’s light and easy enough to read poolside while sipping your third pina colada, but you won’t get a lot of joy out off it.
My shame at actually purchasing this book (I am way too old for the books demographics) made me read this book only at home and I still turned the cover inside out! (Just in case my roommate saw it – I’d never live it down). All for a book that failed to leave any real impression on me.
Honestly, I find this happens with a lot of poolside books. Call me a book snob, but a lot of the beachy books, leave me cold. Chick lit can be fun, but I always feel a little silly carrying the latest hit novel around. Fun and sassy and sexy is great, but most chick lit rehashes the same old stories (girl meets boy she hates, then magically realizes she loves him, with a B story or two revolving around a mix of the following: a crappy job with a mean boss, a great job with a crappy boss, a sassy, married best friend, her best gay, a meddling mother, and some sort of wacky misunderstanding and everything tied up in a bow at the end.
So, if you’re looking for summer great summer time reads with just a little bit of substance, I’ve got some recommendations:
Story of My Life
– Everything you want in a novel following the young, pretty, rich and spoiled; backstabbing friends and family, coke fueled parties, late nights at clubs, a little bit of sex and lots of drama. Written by critic’s darling Jay McInerney, you’ll be reading a modern classic, while enjoying a dishy, sordid tale.
More Hard Partying reads by “respected” novelists:
The Great Gatsby
The Rules of Attraction
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Other Boleyn Girl 
– Highly readable and entertaining historical fiction (Tudor aficionados be prepared to skim over some playing with the facts) following the hedonistic court of King Henry VIII. You’ll feel as if you are living in the castle as you watch the conniving courtship of the King by the cunning Ann Boleyn, from the viewpoint of her friend, rival and sister Mary.
More Historical Fiction:
The Lady Elizabeth
Marie Antoinette: The Journey
The Duchess
But Enough About Me: 
How a Small-Town Girl Went from Shag Carpet to the Red Carpet – Sometimes we need a good laugh and this book supplies them page after page. This memoir follows the life of typical 80’s Jersey girl Jancee Dunn from her JC Penny worshipping, suburban family life to a dream job as a jet setting interviewer of the stars. A fun, addictive nice-girl-makes-good treat.
More Laugh Out Loud books:
Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?
(Dunn’s latest released 06/23/09!)
Me Talk Pretty One Day
The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club
I Was Told There’d Be Cake
(Disclaimer: This is the only recommendation I have yet to read – I added it because it is by far the most cited “favorite book” in the we heart this profiles – I know you guys have good taste!)
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt: Stories
– Between the heat, the water calling your name and all the people watching, you may not have the attention span to plow through a novel. It’s easy to let yourself be absorbed into Aimee Bender’s brilliant collection of short, surreal stories. You will be captivated by her vivid imagery, unique turns of phrase and bizarre tales that are all held together by her great understanding of the human heart.
More Short Story Collections:
Nine Stories
Magical Thinking: True Stories
Where I’m Calling From: Selected Stories
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto
The Thorn Birds
– We’re treading close to bodice ripping territory here, but here’s my secret. If asked about your reading choice, just claim you’re reading it ironically. “Oh, this? I loved it in 8th grade and thought it would be funny to reread it.” How cute! Who would judge that? Now, do I really need to give you the low down on this epic tale set in the Australian outback full of of secrets and struggles and a Forbidden Love? Your BFF from junior high says no.
More Ironic and Slightly Trashy reads:
Forever . . .
Wifey
Rage of Angels
Lace
Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect story to keep you occupied while lounging by the water and catching some rays. I want to hear from you! What summer reads are noticable missing from my list? Leave a message in the comments and share your favorite beach books with us!
Filed in: read, watch, listen
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The thermometer keeps going up, the sun is shining and my mind is falling into that lazy, summer induced lull. Maybe after so many years of school, my brain is programmed to switch off for a few months during the midst of summer. There’s no way I’m starting on Team of Rivals
14 responses so far ↓
I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper right now. Which is about a young girl who sues her parents for the right to make her own decisions about how her body is used when a kidney transplant is planned in order to save her older sister’s life. The mom is really rubbing me the wrong way. I won’t give anything away in case you haven’t read this book. But my sister-in-law gave this to me to read and we want to see the movie when it comes out to compare.
It’s a good easy read too. I’ve been staying up til about 1 or 2 beacuse I can’t put it down. Once I’m done with this one I think I’ll check out some on this list. Thanks for the post!
I have two books on my current reading list. One is “Sex and the Single Girl” by Helen Gurley Brown, circa 1962. The female actresses in “Mad Men” were told to read the book to prepare for their roles. It is hi-larious. There’s actually a pros & cons list to having an affair with a married man. My favorite pro is that he will try not to get you pregnant. How awesome is that? The other book I have on my reading list is “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith. It’s 85% of the original Jane Austin story with zombie hijinx mixed in. Oh, and there’s ninjas. Yeah. You read that right. Zombies AND ninjas.
Thanks for the recommendations. I am in need of a good summer read. Cori I debated reading My Sister’s Keeper, but it just sounded so depressing so I didn’t buy it. Is it super sad??
My Sister’s Keeper was a great book. I highly reccomend it. It started my fascination with Jodi Piccoult the author. I have read just about every one of her books. Yeah, that’s me and a bunch of middle aged ladies you see at the bookstore when her new book comes out
Cori, I’m not so sure about the movie. Judging from the poster it doesn’t look like it follows the book. And Cameron Diaz as the mom? Especially after all of her comments she made about not wanting kids!
Cori – I haven’t read My Sister’s keeper either but I hear good things about it. You’ll have to fill us in on the saddness level.
Krista, I can’t wait to read P&P&Zombies!! It’s supposed to be a lot of fun for Austin fans.
Tiffany – glad to help! Hope you found a summer read or two.
Nicole, I didn’t realize Cameron Diaz was playing a mom in that movie! In the trailors she does not look the part! Don’t worry, my sister who like 10 years younger than me loves Jodi Piccoult too. You guys can go to the bookstore together!
Has anyone read The Rules of Attraction? I saw the movie, and I was wondering if it follows closely to the book. The movie was weird…yet good.
I’m a huge BEE fan and Rules of Attraction is my favorite book! Imo, the book is far superior to the movie (I just don’t see Dawson Leary as Sean Bateman) Like a lot of movies made from books, they make some changes in plot and characters (and time period in this case). I highly recommend the book – I think you’ll enjoy it!
I’m more than half way through My Sister’s Keeper and so far it’s not really sad. I just really am not liking the mom. But at the same time I can understand.
I have a feeling the movie is going to be dissapointing. I can’t see Cameron Diaz as a mom….although she annoys me too so maybe it will work ha
Krista, If I had a hard time reading P&P will I have a hard time with P&P&Zombies?
Cori—I haven’t started my book yet, but it’s got zombies and ninjas, so there’s a giant “PRO” for the Pro column. I’ll report back once I’m a few chapters in
Ok I finished the book and I loved it! Such a good read. I did cry at the end. So it was sad but well worth reading it!
I too love Jodi Piccoult’s books!
I can’t picture Cameron Diaz as a mother, but I still want to see the movie.
I just finished But Enough About Me…
Very good book.
Laurie Nataro (Idiot Girls Action-Adventure Club) is one of my favorite writers.
Laugh out loud funny- like snorting laughter.
If you like her, check out Jen Lancaster.
Sherry I love the Idiot Girls Action-Adventure Club Books! She is great; I always laugh so hard that I cry when I read her books. She has a new one coming out soon….more of a novel rather than the short stories, but I bet it will be good too!
I’m starting a Book Club up with some of my friends and I think we are leaning towards Story of My Life to read first. Tyna, do you think this is a good one to start with?
I just finished Memoirs of a Geisha. I loved it! I kept thinking that it was a real Memoir instead of a fiction book and kept trying to look things up that was refrenced in the book. Then felt like the dork I am and realized it was in fact a fiction book based on fiction things….haaha
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