I am a compulsive book buyer. I buy books like some buy shoes, lipstick or their lunch.
My habit is near-daily (it doesn't help that Indigo, my absolute favourite store, is situated on the block between my home and the Sweetspot offices so I walk by it twice a day, every day). The problem is, I can't read books as quick as I buy them, and my bookshelves are so full that I now have to stash books in my nightstand, under my bed, and even in my shoe closet.
Last week I finally decided I have two options: buy fewer books or read more. I've tried buying fewer books in the past. It doesn't work for me and it didn't work last week either. So for the rest of the summer, I'm making a valiant effort to read more books. Maybe that's why I'm not complaining about the rainy summer we're having. They make for perfect, cozy-up-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book days.
Here's what's making my list:
The Ultimate Beach Read
Dune Road by Jane Green
Last week I blogged about how I met best-selling author Jane Green and how lovely she is, and after hearing her talk about the inspiration behind this book, set in a beach town in Connecticut, I can't wait to borrow it back from Ashleigh (who lent me her copy so I could get it signed) and delve into it.
The Memoir
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
This peek into the life of a family of six (as told by daughter Jeannette) is so captivating, it was no wonder that everytime I pulled the book out (while getting a blow-out, a pedicure, or even just riding the subway), at least one person told me how much they loved this book. I did too.
The Sure Thing
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Whenever I need a guaranteed laugh, Shopaholic funnygirl Kinsella is a sure bet. Having loved her latest, Remember Me? (which was less ridicu-larious and more thought-provoking), I'm adding this story of a girl who's great aunt's ghost insists she track down her missing necklace so she can finally rest, to my August reading list.
The Teen Book
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
I've never been embarrassed about my obsession with teen novels, and Harry Potter and Twilight helped every other twentysomething to fiftysomething book lover out there realize it's just fine to read--and love--books for teens, too. This emotionally gripping story of one girl's life-changing decision is the best book I've read this year. I also used half a box of tissue to get through it.
The Original Chicklit
Lucy Talk by Fiona Walker
One of my friends said that this book is one of her favourite funny books ever, and while the format -- emails -- isn't innovative now, it was ahead of the trend in 2001, when Brit Fiona Walker's book came out. And since the Brits do chicklit best, it's next on my list.
What's on your summer reading list? Leave a comment and let me know!
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