Great Summer Reads

Summer reading is typically categorized as light, frilly pieces that don't bring any weight to conversations once fall hits. Inspired by Buzzfeed's "65 Books You Need to Read in your 20s", I compiled a list of my favorite books that take beach reading to a whole new level. Instead of suffocating your brain with romance novels or frolicking tales of sex and lies, turn to historical literature that feeds your hunger for appealing literature that stimulates.

"Dearie" The Remarkable Life of Julia Child," was a hefty number by Bob Spitz that I couldn't put down, even when poolside. Even if you aren't a self-proclaimed foodie, I would suggest this one as well as this summer's popular hit for women, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" from Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg. 

1. Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle 
2. Bossypants, by Tina Fey 
3. Little Bee, by Chris Cleave 
4. The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver 
5. The Paris Wife, by Paula McLain 
6. The Last Time I Saw Paris, by Elizabeth Adler 
7. Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child, by Bob Sptiz 
8. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg 
9. Summer at Tiffany, by Majorie Hart  
10. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway (suggestion: read on tape)

Next up: Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman's Prison. I saw the title while scooping out new books in the city this past week, and was immediately attracted to the back cover. Anyone else read it?