. Summer Reading .

I have a confession to make. I JUST now figured out how to work my Kindle app. I KNOW, you guys. I’m an English teacher. I’m an author. And just now. Right this summer. I realized I’ve been living my life all wrong.

This week, I’m bringing to you the books I’ve plowed through this summer. My Kindle app makes it so easy to read at the pool, in the car, in between swim lessons, and in between laundry loads. I even finished a book while I was watering the flowers the other night.

It feels so good, you know? To take a deep breath, to open a fresh book, and to lose yourself for a few days within the pages? Here’s what kept me interested this summer (and if you want the juicy list – send me an email – I gotcha for those, too):

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead: Despite the title, this book was … dare I say … funny? Gilda takes on a job as a secretary at a Catholic church, and then just like that – she becomes obsessed with her predecessor’s death. Gilda suffers from depression and anxiety – there’s a reason that so many people find this book to be relatable. It’s honest, and easily, you’ll find yourself rooting for Gilda.

The Wonder Test: Thriller. Espionage. FBI stuff. All wrapped up in the school of a widowed FBI agent’s son. My jaw literally dropped several times throughout this quick read. Whew. It was a book I had no idea I even needed.

Well This Is Exhausting: Yea. Same. I think so, too. In this book of (often hilarious) essays, Sophia Benoit explores what it’s like to be a woman in the tuhhhh-day. Her writing voice is something like an old friend talking to you about their day, and you cannot help but find yourself in between the lines on each page. Buckle up.

The Culture Code: I’m definitely reading this in small chunks. Shew. I kind of thought I would love this from an educator’s perspective, but I love it for my friends, too. How do you motivate groups to do better? How do you create a culture of success and fundamental positivity? When I tell you that I’ve highlighted more in this book than I’ve actually NOT highlighted – I’m not lying. It’s that good.

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood: Well, I saved the best for last. Because when I tell you that I cannot stop thinking about this dang book – I’m not even lying. And it’s a freaking true story, which makes it even more mind-blowing. With over 36,000 five star reviews on Amazon, I knew it would be good and when I tell you – it. did. not. disappoint. Note: There is a trigger warning waving that flag out there that you should be able to see a mile away. This is disturbing and graphic.

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Okay. One last thing. I cannot be a “romance writer” if I also do not read “romance books”. If you want the name of the series that has been keeping me up until 2 a.m. reading some nights – send me a message. I’ll hook you up. 🙂

Happy reading!

xoxo, B.