Yall, I’ve fallen back in love with reading. And, I thought I’d share some of my favorite reads with you as you prepare for summer travel and adventures. These books are perfect vacation reads to set you right for 2021 travel. I also wrote about some of them on Onlyinark.com where it’s all about Arkansas authors.
I’ve always loved to read, but it’s mostly been I love the idea of reading at this stage of life. So, I have books upon books upon books. And, I should probably do some cleaning out. I’m not really sure if I’m one to re-read a book or even a series. But there are some good books on these shelves around my home.
This post may contain affiliate links where I get paid for you clicking on a link in this post. If you purchase anything via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I do actively participate in Amazon Associates Affiliate Program. For more information, visit my Disclosure Statement and Terms & Conditions page.
2 years ago, on our anniversary trip, I took a couple of books with me. Insert, always heavy carry-on bag. I read one of them and had a hard time getting into the other. I blamed it on lack of sleep and just took naps instead. I had 2 books on my mind, but it seemed silly to buy them when I have stacks of books sitting around my home collecting dust. So, I decided to take the books I already had.
One day, someone put out the Tattooist of Auschwitz with our towels to reserve our spot. Yes, Sandals resorts have libraries of left behind books. Who knew?!?!
Well, Tattooist was one of the two books I’d been dying to read and wouldn’t buy for the trip. So, I dug in. All I wanted to do was sit by the pool and devour this book. And I did, staying up until the last minute to read the last page on our last night.
When we got home, my husband bought me a Kindle Paperwhite, which I would never get for myself. And, it has made reading so much easier. I love it. I get why people talk the way they do about it. It’s easy to toss in anything you are carrying. It’s like carrying a bunch of books without all the bulk. I’m not really sure why I was so hard-headed before, but I really do love it.
I always have a project going, and that usually has my extra time occupied when I’m not chasing a Preschool Boy. But I’ve really been trying to sneak in moments to read as I’m able. Whether that’s one nap time a week or an after nap time snuggle session watching Blippi. This past weekend, it was a late night after the lights were out and bedtime was accomplished. But I’ve been loving reading again, and I thought I’d share some of my latest reads that I really, really enjoyed and books I’m eyeballing.
Also, you should note before you jump into this list that I’m not really in a “self-help” zone or reading for a business timeframe of life. I’m not your girl on that topic right now. Right now, mama needs a getaway, vacation, and a change of pace. So I’m reading books that take me to another place. And frankly, it’s gotta capture me quickly, or I’m off to a different selection!
- Dice on a Deadly Sea | Jane Elzey – I’ve recently become acquainted with this Arkansas-based author. I read her first book in the series on our anniversary trip this year but “a husband always dies” so I might not recommend these for an anniversary trip! But, they are a perfect read and I devoured this book the week it came out. Once I got halfway through, I didn’t want to stop reading it. There were a lot of “just one more chapter” comments before bedtime from mommy! It will help to read her first book, Dying for Dominos, to better understand the characters and see an Arkansas story unfold, but its not necessary to understand this book on its own.
- Seahorse Cottage Series | Coral Harper – so, this was a book series I could not put down at the beginning of summer. They are all short stories, like 60 pages long which was surprising to me. I kinda devoured them. And, it’s not because they are well written, I actually think they get better with each book, but the characters and the stories were so intriguing to me. I will throw a little spoiler, if you are not into “accident” stories, you might want to skip this series. She also has a Stargaze Island, Trip of a Lifetime and Nantucket Estate series that is just rolling out this summer. They are all free to read on Kindle, which is a reason I devoured them so quickly!
- Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey | Heather Morris – I finished Tattooist on vacation in 2020, but it took me a lot longer to get into Cilka’s Journey. And frankly, I wanted to read every single rich word. It’s heavy and not a light read for easy summer days, but it was a page-turner for me and I just wanted to keep going and going. As I posted this, I learned that there is a third book in the series, so I guess I’d add that book to your list too!
- No Body’s Cuter Than You, The Antelope in the Living Room, Sparkly Green Earrings | Melanie Shankle – I think they are the perfect lighthearted read for vacation or a girls’ weekend. These books speak to the core of who we are and the relationships that make us real people. You will laugh at all the silly things because you can see yourself in the story, you will cry because your heartstrings are tugged so immensely, and you will smile while you read these pages and your heart fills with the warmth of an afternoon coffee with a sweet friend. These are the books that stay on my shelves because I probably need to read them again!
- Gene, Everywhere | Talya Boerner – this is the first book I read on my new kindle. Gene, Everywhere is written by a friend and is a memoir of her later father-in-law, but it is a beautiful story of caregiving, seeing the laughter in little moments, unlikely friendship, and family love. It’s a good read. It’s real people and it’s a real story, ie non-fiction, but it’s just so heartwarming that it’s a perfect porch read on rainy afternoons with coffee at a cabin.
- Weary Road | James Babb – this is my latest download. I’ve read James’ other books even though they are intended for a middle school audience. But, I like the adventure and I can’t wait for my Little Man to be big enough to read these. These books are fiction, but they include Arkansas destinations and are based on historical events and individuals. I’m looking forward to digging in. I’ve heard the premise of this story and where the author gained the idea, and I can’t wait to watch it unfold; a group of Civil War soldiers and the dog that joins their brigade.
- Some Became Fools | Dan Ford – this book was such a fun little read. It is a fictitious account of a story from Historic Washington, Arkansas but based on real events. A few years ago, my husband and I attended an event where they did a trial re-enactment. This is another trial and another story, but being familiar with the buildings and sites it was fun to read the words and image the places where the story occurs.
- When I Hold You | Ashley Huffstutler – While it’s not really just a summer read, it’s a book that I’ve just learned about and purchased myself. You need this in your life and you need to give it for any shower you have this summer and to any new mamas in your life. The author is a gal I knew as an undergrad at Ouachita and the story behind what led her to write this is beautiful. Even with an active and growing brain tumor, she used the story God unfolded in her and has produced a beautiful book.
- You Were Made for a God-sized Dream | Holley Gerth – this book transformed so much thinking for me the first time I read it. And, I love the series that it is a part of, so much that it’s one of my books I share with female entrepreneurs. If you are wanting a push this summer and need a little dream time, let me recommend this book along with the series around it. You’re Already Amazing, You’re Going to Be Okay, You’re Loved No Matter What.
What’s on your Summer Reading List?
