5 Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List

reading

Summer…

The perfect time to relax poolside (or on the beach like us in Charleston) and catch up on some reading.

Not sure what to read?

No problem–we’ve got you covered.

Check out these 5 books we recommend you add to your summer reading list.

#1 – The Woman in the Window

 

the woman in the window

If you enjoy thriller novels, A.J. Finn’s book, The Woman in the Window, is a must-read for you this summer.

This book starts out with the main character, Anna Fox, spying on her neighbors from her Harlem townhouse.

Poor Anna suffers from agoraphobia and is house-bound.

While watching her neighbor, she believes she witnesses a crime.

Was she right? If so, what was the crime and who did it?

Read the book to find out!

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#2 – Girl, Wash Your Face

girl wash your face

As women, we tell ourselves a lot of lies.

For instance, you might have said to yourself…

  • “I’m not good enough.
  • “I’m not thin enough.
  • “I’m not a good parent.

If you have, this honest, yet light-hearted look into the lies we tell ourselves each day is a must-read.

Join author Rachel Hollis as she gives advice on how to get rid of a limiting mindset that destroys self-confidence and keeps you from moving forward.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#3 – Little Women

little women

There’s nothing quite like revisiting the treasured classic Little Women.

In this epic tale, you’ll take a journey with the author Louisa May Alcott who tells the story of what it was like for her and her three sisters to grow up in Concord, Massachusetts, in the 1860s.

All in all, the story tells of how the sisters grow up, find love, and find their place in the world.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#4 – Brave New World

brave new world

Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, is based on a scientific empire that manufactures its citizens in the laboratory on a eugenic basis.

The story follows the fortunes of John, the illegitimate son of a senior governor, who has grown up in America, outside the new empire.

Will John be able to find a place in this new society?

Find out by reading the book!

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

#5 – Yes Please

yes please

If you’re in need of a laugh, we highly recommend picking up a copy of Amy Poehler’s book, Yes Please.

In this book, Amy shares comical and heartwarming stories about life, her time on SNL, and being a woman in show business.

Regardless of whether you know Amy from SNL or movies, she shares many stories that any woman (in show business or not) can relate to and connect with.

See if it’s in your local library or order it here.

What are your favorite books? Let us know in the comments below!

A Good Lowcountry Read: A Spotlight on Charleston’s Most Beloved Bookstores

Image Above Taken From: www.bluebicyclebooks.com

At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know a good read is a powerful experience. Fortunately, Charleston is full of charming bookstores that are just as inspiring as the books they house. Here are a few of our favorite booksellers where you can pick up the next book on your summer reading list:

  • Blue Bicycle Books: Boasting 1565 feet of stacked books, this local bookstore is anything but plain. Owned and operated by local writer Jonathan Sanchez and his wife Lauren, they offer over 50,000 volumes, including the most complete collection anywhere of used, rare, and new Charleston material. Other popular sections include history, architecture, military history, Civil War, eastern religion, science, philosophy, gardening, poetry, hardback classics, and literary fiction. Come see why they’ve been voted Charleston’s best used-bookstore for the past five years, and don’t forget to pet the store cat!
  • Heirloom Book Company: On lower King Street, you’ll find this gem of a bookstore dedicated to the literature of food. The store offers an extensive selection of rare, out-of-print, and new books, alongside photographs, heirloom plants, and even seeds. Additionally, you’ll find thousands of publications, from the perfect Southern cookbook, to literature about gourmet cuisine, international eats, cooking vegan and gluten-free, the art of wine pairing, and cocktail recipe guides. It’s enough to stoke your hunger and your thirst for knowledge!
  • Books-A-Million: For the book-lover who wants it all, this bookstore doesn’t disappoint. From the latest bestselling titles and new releases to movies and magazines, you could lose a whole day browsing their endless stacks. Try as you might, you won’t want to leave here empty-handed, and you will surely be happier for the visit!

What is your favorite bookstore to visit in Charleston?

 

Five Irresistible Books for Your Summer Beach Bag

What better way to soak up a little sun than with a riveting new read? At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we’ve pooled together a list of hot summer books for you to enjoy at your favorite Charleston beach!

1. Wild by Cheryl Strayed: One of the hottest memoirs to hit the shelves, Strayed’s story is a heartening and harrowing one. After losing her mother to cancer, reeling from the ruin of her marriage, and recovering from drug addiction, Strayed made a life-changing decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail solo in the hopes of salvaging her life and herself. If you need more convincing, Oprah selected this memoir to kick-off Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.

2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James: If you’ve yet to dive into the naughty world of Grey, we recommend you start at the very beginning, where Ana Steele and Christian Grey first fell headlong into their steamy, erotically dark affair. This book is sure to fuel your appetite for the other two novels in this trilogy: Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

3. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty: A story of tangled trajectories, this novel tracks the journey of fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks before she became the silent-film icon, and her thirty-six year old chaperone Cora Carlisle. Set in the roaring 1920’s, this novel is rich both in its cultural depiction, and in its exploration of each character’s destiny during this era of possibility.

4. The Odditorium by Melissa Pritchard: This short-story collection is the imaginative transport your summer’s been missing. Weirdly enchanting, beautifully haunting, Pritchard bends the conventions of westerns, horror, and historical fiction to create a menagerie of pure enthrallment. Good luck putting this one down!

5. We Only Know So Much by Elizabeth Crane: With whimsy, wit, and unrelenting insight, Crane reveals the story of the Copelands, a family torn and entwined by the secrets they keep and the lives they lead. Sharp and voice-driven, this novel will make you laugh and cringe, but most of all, you’ll simply be happy to be reading it.

What books are on your reading list this summer?