10 BOOKS I WANT TO READ THIS SUMMER

My fiancé introduced me to Audible about a year ago and it’s been a constant companion for me ever since. While I love collecting coffee table books that I can revisit time and again, I’d rather listen to most career books and novels than purchase hard copies I usually read only once. (There are of course classics that I own hard copies of — just not my summer beach reads!) I turn on Audible when I’m driving to work, getting my nails done, or on the plane… It’s amazing how many more books I’ve “read” this way!

My Audible wishlist is about a mile long so I thought I’d share several titles I’m looking forward to making my way through this summer. Whenever I stumble upon a list of book recommendations, I look them all up on Audible and instantly add them to my wishlist so I never find myself without a handy recommendation. I’ll read anything from a fluffy romance novel (I used to devour these) to a book about career advice or self-improvement (Will and I both loved this). With summer upon us (as of yesterday!), I’m shifting my sights toward books I can sail through during a couple flights or a road trip. Here are ten books I want to read this summer:

Design Darling shares 10 books to read this summer 2016

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. An in-depth look at the creative process from the author of Eat, Pray, Love? This sounds like a great way to head back from a trip feeling totally inspired. Sign me up.

2. Sweetbitter: A Novel by Stephanie Danler. A fictional behind-the-scenes look at the New York restaurant scene, written by a woman who worked as a back waiter for several well-known restaurants (including one of my favorites, Buvette!).

3. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. Written by a soon-to-be neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at age 36, this memoir promises to be both thought-provoking and tear-jerking.

4. The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger. The author of The Devil Wears Prada‘s newest book combines tennis, travel, and glamour in her newest novel — what’s not to love?

5. Man Repeller: Seeking Love, Finding Overalls by Leandra Medine. When it comes to the blog world, there are few voices as well-known as Leandra Medine’s (and for good reason). Having recently discovered her podcast, I can’t wait to delve into this book of essays on the intersection between fashion and romance.

6. Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld. Any book that reinvents my beloved Jane Austen with a magazine writer, yoga instructor, and reality TV show has “beach book” written all over it.

7. The After Party by Anton DiSclafani. The New Englander-turned-Dallasite in me is forever fascinated by southern society. This story of 1950s Texas socialites is at the top of my list.

8. What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan. I’m about 3/4 of the way through this one and it gets better with every page (er, minute on Audible). A clever whodunit told from the alternating perspectives of a missing boy’s mother and the detective on the case, it’s kept me guessing at every turn.

9. The Nest by Cynthia d’Aprix Sweeney. The story of four dysfunctional siblings living in New York that Amy Poehler calls “intoxicating”… Yes please.

10. Not Working by Lisa Owens. This novel about a twenty-something trying to make sense of her life has drawn comparisons to Bridget Jones — a can’t-miss beach read if you ask me.

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Have you read any of these? What are you reading currently?

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