SUMMER READING

The anti- "beach read" reading list

Let’s go girls!!!!

SUMMERTIME. Full of hope and nostalgia. A time of rest, relaxation, and reclining in the sun. A reprieve from our worldly burdens. I will refrain from waxing poetic about summertime, as those tropes are played all the way out, but you get it.

Reading in the summer often becomes aspirational to the point of delusion. The joke about packing 5 books for a week-long vacation when you’ve only read 1 so far this year is funny because it’s true. Even if you’re a sicko reader like myself, summer is a time when my eyes are bigger than my stomach when it comes to my reading appetite.

Regardless of how much you read, there is a kind of book that is more palatable in the summer. Books that go down easy. Books that aren’t too dense but are still captivating and intellectually stimulating. People always say they want “beach reads” in the summer, but I am here to denounce that term. “Beach read” conjures up a certain type of book in my mind: the formulaic, predictable, corny-ass variety that certain authors churn out like a sweatshop (see: Jodi Picoult et al.)

If that is your bag, far be it from me to stop you. We should all be free to read what we enjoy. BUT if you’re ready to escape the shackles of the bullshit beach reads, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want nonfiction, adventure, or just a great read—but still want something memorable and interesting—I’ve got a few recommendations for you. Strap in kids, this is a big list.

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If you want a gripping, un-put-down-able read:

Hot Springs Drive, by Lindsay Hunter: This is a book about two families that live next door to each other. Via the friendship between the mothers of each family, their lives become inextricably intertwined and, ultimately, irreparably damaged as an affair and a murder take place. It’s told from varying perspectives, making for a propulsive read that leaves you promising “just one more chapter” to yourself as you sail through three more late into the night. While the premise may sound slightly trite, the writing is strong enough to make this both a believable and captivating read.

Penance, by Eliza Clark: I just finished this, and MAN, OH MAN, did it hit. You could not speak to me when I was reading this book; nothing could tear my eyes from the page. When I wasn’t reading it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I was itching to get back to it. It’s done in a “book within a book” style, where the story is told by a scorned true-crime author trying to make a comeback. He finds a case that was poorly reported on about the gruesome murder of a high-school girl by 3 of her friends. Through interviews, correspondences, and blog posts from the victim’s family and the attackers, he composes a compelling narrative of the lives of the attackers and how these teenage girls ultimately came to commit such an unspeakable act of violence. The truth can be tricky, and this novel makes the reader question who they can trust and what version of the truth they are willing to accept. I loved this one, and it's definitely in the running for one of my favorite reads of the year.

Jurassic Park, by Michael Crichton: I know, I KNOW we’ve all seen the movie, but if you have not read the book, it is very much worth it. It’s far better than the movie, I promise. It’s fun, it’s scary, it’s a version of a story you know, but the characters are better, and the plot is fast-paced and carries you away. Is it the best writing? Certainly not, but the quality of the prose is not so bad that it distracts you from the story itself. A great poolside page-turner.

If you want escapism and adventure:

All the Pretty Horses, by Cormac McCarthy: I read this last summer, and I have still not gotten over it. The main character, John Grady, leaves his home in Texas with his best friend, headed (on horseback) for Mexico. The boys are in search of themselves and find adventure, pain, love, and the stunning ranches of Mexico along the way. The feelings this book evokes are hard to describe– a melancholy mixed with nostalgia, hope, and heartbreak. It’s a slow burn of a book that’s beautifully written and captures the humor and horror of growing up expertly. It's one of my favorite books of all time; I can’t recommend it enough.

Washington Black, by Esi Edugyan: The story of an 11-year-old slave, Washington Black, who lives on a sugar plantation in Barbados. He is, to his shock, chosen by his master’s brother, Christopher Wilde, to be his manservant, aiding him in his study of science and supporting his strange inventions. This sets the scene for an adventure that takes Washington from Barbados to the Eastern United States, to the Arctic, and beyond. This book is an adventure story, yes, but it’s also about relationships, racism, class, and what it means to be free in a place where freedom is conditional.

Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr: Look, I’m going to be straight with you– if you haven’t read this one yet, you are fucking up. Everyone I recommend it to loves it; it’s unlike anything else. A sweeping tale that blends and overlaps different character timelines to inform a larger story about human nature, the future of the planet, and how stories get passed from generation to generation. It’s a perfect read for long, uninterrupted summer afternoons, and it will stay with you long after you finish it.

If you want Instagram-era fiction:

Vagablonde, by Anna Dorn: A fun, frenzied, drug-fueled romp about a young woman named Prue Van Teesen, who’s a criminal defense attorney but moonlights as a rapper. As she begins to gain some traction in the music industry, she loses her grip on reality– losing friends and abusing substances but still trying to keep her head above water. It may sound shallow on the surface, but this one is darkly funny and surprisingly poignant.

Aesthetica, by Allie Rowbottom: Told through a first-person lens, Aesthetica is about an Instagram influencer's rise and fall. The main character, age 35, reflects on her years in the digital spotlight, telling the story of abuse, loneliness, and taking care of her dying mother. For anyone who spends any amount of time “logged on,” this one will hit close to home and make you reconsider your social media habits. It was different from most things I’ve read, yet it was highly relatable– really good.

Little Eyes, by Samanta Schweblin: I have no interest in speaking with anyone who doesn't like this. I’m sorry, there's just nothing like it. It's so so so hilariously dark. The premise echoes of the voyeuristic nature of technology and social media, but in this case, it's packaged in a fluffy little stuffed animal called a “kentuki” that people keep in their homes. The only catch with these “pets” is that you're always being watched- by a stranger you've never met and can't communicate with. The kentukis are connected to an anonymous global server, allowing people to “embody” a kentuki, watching its owner from anywhere in the world. I loved the imagination and societal commentary in this quick, cunning little novel. It’s smart, terrifying, and devastating all at once. A must-read.

If you want something to capture your short attention span:

Calypso, by David Sedaris: David Sedaris is uniquely hilarious, and all of his work is excellent, but Calypso, in particular, was really the book that got me hooked on his writing. In these short personal essays, Sedaris shares his spectacularly strange worldview. The writing sucks you in, and before you know it, you’re nodding in agreement with his same eclectic perspective. I laughed out loud on several occasions, but there are also many moments in stories that will hit the very core of your emotions. It’s sharp and viciously funny– a great vacation read.

The Lonesome Body Builder, by Yukiko Motoya: A book of short stories that are just straight-up bizarre. But like good? But also beyond strange. So odd, but I was thoroughly entertained. If you need something quick that will keep your attention and is totally unexpected, this is your book.

Made for Love by Alyssa Nutting: This book was crazy as hell!! Our main character, Hazel, escapes her tech-billionaire fiancé, who is trying to have a microchip installed into her brain to connect them forever. She hides out with her father, who lives in a trailer and is “married” to a rubber sex doll named Diane, whom he insists Hazel treat as a person. But Hazel can’t stay for long– her fiancé is hunting her down. Hijinks ensue. This book is a trip– weird, funny, and at its core, deeply human. You freaks will love it.

If you want non-fiction that doesn’t feel like homework:

Strip Tees: A Memoir of Millenial Los Angeles, by Kate Flannery: OK, this one is specifically for the American Apparel girlies from the days of yore (ie, me in college). Kate Flannery moved to LA in her early 20s and was scouted and recruited by the American Apparel team. Sucked in by the glittery facade of life as an American Apparel Girl, Kate joins the team. As the company grows, so does her sense of unease with the lack of boundaries, the incestuous company relationships, and the slimy actions of the CEO. I was floored by this book, as I had no idea how seedy the underbelly of the American Apparel empire really was. A wild read that will help you leave the bodycon dresses in the past for good.

The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston: This is the stuff they should make kids read in science class so they’ll enjoy learning. The Hot Zone is a book by journalist Richard Preston about the history and spread of the deadly Ebola virus. He tracks various outbreaks and incorporates personal anecdotes to weave a nightmarish story that reads like a thriller but is, sickeningly, true. It’s an exceptional read, but not for the weak of stomach.

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, by Claire Dederer: A cerebral work that confronts the oft-asked question: can you separate the art from the artist? The author explores how we reconcile our feelings for artists who create breathtaking, life-changing works that alter our brain chemistry but, in their personhood, have done horrific, “monstrous” things. For example, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein– the list goes on and on and on… This book made me think, challenged me, and gave me new insight into my own approach to art, literature, cinema, music, and the like. It’s a great buddy-read, as there is plenty to discuss in these pages. No matter what your level of knowledge of the arts, this book would be interesting to anyone who consumes culture.

Let me know if you try any of these, or if you’ve read them, let me know what you think. If you have other recs I missed, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

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Books of the moment:

✨Heads up! I’m using my Bookshop affiliate link for all titles recommended in this newsletter. If you buy them through these links, I might earn a commission.✨

📖 Currently reading:

Perfume and Pain, by Anna Dorn

📚Recently finished:

Penance, by Eliza Clark, 5/5 stars

Scammer, by Caroline Calloway, 4/5 stars

Do Everything in the Dark, by Gary Indiana, 4/5 stars

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez (Bookclub pick), 3/5 stars

👉🏼You should read: Kickstart My Heart, by the inimitable

Molly Young