Home Uncategorized 10 Great Summer Reads ($50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

10 Great Summer Reads ($50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

by Jamie

 

Twice a year I post  a list of book recommendations. I know some of you fine people out there are book nerds, just like me. We reading nerds have to stick together, right!  Click here for the list from last Summer, and here for the list from last Winter. Check out the comment sections of both of these posts for more book recommendations.

I am also giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card to one of you lucky readers. To enter the giveaway just leave me a comment below telling me what one of your favorite books is. Giveaway will be open until Sunday June 30th at midnight. Winner will be announced and contacted on Monday July 1st. Good luck!

On to this summers list!

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton is one of the best books I have read this year. I loved the writing style, which is both elegant and captivating. Kate Morton tells the most amazing stories! Throughout the whole book I kept trying to guess the ending…never could I have dreamed it would finish as it did. I loved it, best Kate Morton book so far.


The Baker’s Daughter is a story about a family living in Germany during WWII and the sacrifices they make to survive. It covers a lot of issues I haven’t read about before. Though it is sad, it’s very well written and the heroine is so endearing.


Poisonwood Bible is a story of an American minister and his family who move to the African Congo to during the 1960s and 70s. The story is told through the eyes of each of the children and the mother, which gives it a wide variety of perspective. It was so interesting to see how each of the characters developed and behaved, though many of their experiences were the same. It is a compelling look into human nature.

BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS  by Shannon Hale is a Young Adult book about a princess who gets locked in a tower with only one servant and supplies. It’s about loyalty, and a little bit about love. 🙂 It’s a quick, clean read, as is the case with all of Hale’s books. She’s a great author for teenage girls. (And for Mom’s who have teenage girls and like a quick, clean read now and then).


The Light Between Oceans is one of those books I cried my ever lovin’ face off while I read it. Not the WHOLE time (thank you for your concern), but certainly at the end. It’s about a young married couple who live alone on a small island and take care of a lighthouse. It’s about marriage, sacrifice and motherly love. It is beautifully written and very compelling.

The Giver  is a book that I’m sure many of you (and your children!) have heard of. While it’s written for a young audience, I found it to be both thought-provoking and captivating. It’s about a boy living in a post apocalyptic world, and the choices he faces in a world very different from our own.

A Monster Calls is a sad tale of boy whose mother is dying of cancer. It’s about life, death and letting go.

The Bungalow is a love story that takes place on the tropical island of Bora-Bora during WWII. It’s a quick read, with a bit of history woven into the romance. Great book to take to the beach. 🙂

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust is a life changing book. It’s a true story written by a woman who lived through the Rwandan Holocaust. It’s about forgiveness and love.

Escape is a true story written by Carolyn Jessop, a woman who escaped a life of forced polygamy. I was stunned, truly to learn of the terrible conditions that girls and women are forced to live with in these cult-like, fundamentalist communities. It is very eye opening.

 

 

 

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358 comments

Robin B. June 24, 2013 - 9:45 am

Unbroken was amazing…still trying to convince my husband it’s not a chick book! 🙂

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Jen June 24, 2013 - 9:52 am

Love the book list! I just finished reading Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. I loved that it was a whitty fun regency era type book that is a great easy read.

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Margaret Latey June 24, 2013 - 9:54 am

I just read The Light Between Oceans. I loved the story, although sad. I couldn’t put it down.

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Sarah J June 24, 2013 - 9:58 am

I am currently re-reading the Great Gatsby. It was one of the only “required” reading books during my years in school that I actually enjoyed.

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Maegan June 24, 2013 - 10:13 am

I love any book by Nicholas Sparks and the movie adaptations as well.

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Jennifer June 24, 2013 - 10:14 am

I am currently reading The Hangman’s Daughter Series – it’s being pretty good, but the best thing it’s on the lenders library on Kindle…so I’m reading the series for free. I have many of the above on my wish list. My favorite book of all time is Les Miserables, but my favorite recent read is probably Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (that would be a good winter read, though).

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Jennifer June 24, 2013 - 10:17 am

Oh gosh…I forgot, add the Divergent Series to your reading list as well. Book 1, Divergent, and Book 2, Insurgent are out. Book 3, Allegiant comes out this fall. They are being adapted to film next year, and although they are YA Dystopian Lit, being an adult I found them very entertaining.

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Lisa June 24, 2013 - 10:28 am

One of my favorite reads for 2013 has to be Goodbye for Now, by Laurie Frankel. It’s a thought provoking read, especially for those of us who would give anything to have just one more minute with a loved one who has passed away. I really liked your list of books, some I’ve already read, and some I’ll be adding to me to read list. Thanks!

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Tonia June 24, 2013 - 10:29 am

One of my favorite books to read is Let It Go by T.D. Jakes.

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Kim Hoover June 24, 2013 - 10:30 am

The Sookie Stackhouse books are my favorites! Also love The Pianist…what an amazing telling of surviving WWII.

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Melissa DuBois June 24, 2013 - 10:30 am

My favorite books is Watchers, by Dean Koontz. I love to read all his books.

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Jordyn June 24, 2013 - 10:30 am

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant is one of my favorite books.

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Erin H June 24, 2013 - 10:31 am

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

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Jayne K June 24, 2013 - 10:33 am

I love to read, so thanks for this list of books. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite book…it’s usually the one I’m reading at the time. I definitely have favorite authors, though: Patricia Cornwell, David Baldacci, James Patterson, and Brad Thor to name a few.

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BJ Wells June 24, 2013 - 10:34 am

I am an avid book reader of mystery & good fiction. Love a book with a challenge.
Also love all Charles Martin books.

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Lesley June 24, 2013 - 10:35 am

I read The Giver a million years ago and it still haunts mr to this day. I guess that’s the sign of a good book, right??

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Tessa June 24, 2013 - 10:36 am

I can’t believe you posted The Giver, I love that book! I just finished Cutting For Stone, it was very good. Thanks for the recommendations and the chance to win.

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Louise June 24, 2013 - 10:37 am

Loved Poisonwood Bible and The Giver. The Giver made me think about its content long after I had read it.

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Teresa Mensen June 24, 2013 - 10:37 am

Not sure I could pick a favorite. I just got a Kindle and am excited to get a bunch of books loaded though. Will def be getting The Light Between Oceans.

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Mohamed February 7, 2014 - 8:03 pm

Woah nelly, how about them appesl!

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Doris Jablonski June 24, 2013 - 10:37 am

Oh, Kentucky, by Betty Layman Receveur has been my long time favorite. It’s about young Ketty Gentry and the early, perilous years at Fort Boonesbough. It’s a wonderful and historically actuate story.

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Sharon June 24, 2013 - 10:39 am

The Secret Keeper, love the list, looks like some good summer lit.

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Kay H. June 24, 2013 - 10:39 am

I’m a Stephen King fan from back when I was in high school so I like books of that nature. I’ve also become a Sarah Addison Allen fan. I love the mystery and whimsy of her stories.

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Robin Whiting June 24, 2013 - 10:42 am

Currently I’m reading the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin and I’m really enjoying them.

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Kay June 24, 2013 - 10:42 am

It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite book. My all time favorite is probably To Kill a Mockingbird. I love cozy mysteries, too.

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Amy L June 24, 2013 - 10:43 am

I just finished “These Is My Words” and thoroughly enjoyed it! But my all-time favorite is Lightning by Dean Koontz. I’ve worn out several copies!

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Leah Patton June 24, 2013 - 10:43 am

Four of the books on the list I have read already. We seem to have the same tastes in books. Here is a book you must read. It’s EXCELLENT ! The Shadow of the Wind. The author is Carlos Ruiz Zafon. You will not be disappointed. 🙂

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Jennie June 24, 2013 - 10:47 am

Buddenbrooks is my favorite, but a recent good one was Street Sweeper!

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Shelly June 24, 2013 - 10:50 am

I love The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.

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Diane Westmoreland June 24, 2013 - 10:52 am

Thank you for the reading list. It is hard to find good clean books. I just finished reading for the second time, “Visions of Glory” by John Pontius. Excellent book!

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Jamie June 24, 2013 - 8:15 pm

Hi Diane,
I read Visions of Glory a few months ago! Gave me a bit of a heart attack, if you want to know the truth. But it was very interesting! 🙂
~Jamie

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Suzanne June 24, 2013 - 10:52 am

Anything by Francine Rivers–but my favorite is REDEEMING LOVE!

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Camille June 24, 2013 - 10:53 am

I just discovered Karen White and am really enjoying her books for easy, fun, clean reads.

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Maggie T June 24, 2013 - 10:53 am

I just finished Salman Rushdie’s Midnight Children. It was such a vibrant and striking read. I really enjoyed it.

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Becki June 24, 2013 - 10:54 am

To be honest the last book I read was one of the Twilight books. With my 2 small ones I don’t get the opportunity to read much anymore. does a People magazine count?

love the blog by the way. I’ve been using every chance to use a new recipe!

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Jill Jones June 24, 2013 - 11:03 am

I love anything written by Charles Martin! I just finished reading Unwritten, and it is by far my favorite. I highly recommend any and all of his books.

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barbara n June 24, 2013 - 11:07 am

I have been reading all of Kate Morton’s books and The Secret Keeper is next up!

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Kathy Pecha June 24, 2013 - 11:09 am

Am reading “The Secret Keeper”. Love your website.

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talia June 24, 2013 - 11:10 am

I’ve read, “The House at Riverton” by Kate Morton as well as “The Light Between the Oceans” – both are excellent reads. “The Poisonwood Bible” is another fantastic book by an amazing author. Have you read, “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver? Another great book.

I love reading everyone’s suggestions.

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Kelly Dorpinghaus June 24, 2013 - 11:11 am

Thanks for the list of books! I have downloaded the Light Between Oceans to my Nook but haven’t read it yet. The Secret Keeper is on my whishlist. I don’t think I pick a favorite book? A recent read that I really enjoyed was The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck. I just finished reading Family Pictures by Jane Green. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom was fabulous as was Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. I’m currently reading The Island by Elin Hildebrand.

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Mary June 24, 2013 - 11:12 am

I’m reading Ken Follett’s Winter Of the World–the second book in a series of three. The first was Fall of Giants. Great historical fiction that starts with WWI–I finally have a grasp of the early 20th Century.

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Sally Walter June 24, 2013 - 11:14 am

Love your list and concur with your recommendations (several of which I have read). I really enjoyed Wonder by R. J. Palacio (a YA read but certainly applicable to all ages), The Rent Collector by Camron Wright, and the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. I recently finished a fun memoir titled A Change of Heart.

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jan June 24, 2013 - 11:14 am

Loved Unbroken.

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Susan June 24, 2013 - 11:15 am

Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs (anything by Susan Wiggs) Light reading but well developed characters and fun to read!

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Katie June 24, 2013 - 11:17 am

My favorite book is The secret Life of Bees.

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Wanda June 24, 2013 - 11:18 am

I enjoyed reading Follow the River by James Alexander Thom–one of your recommendations last winter.

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dixie romano June 24, 2013 - 11:20 am

i just started Gone Girl and i’m loving it!!! thanks for the list!!

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Tina June 24, 2013 - 11:21 am

The only books I have been reading lately are the ones required for my classes 🙁 I am going to go old school though and say Judy Blume books. I still remember reading Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret and Tiger Eyes (by the way I heard Tiger Eyes is going to be made into a movie). My youngest son had to read Fudge last year for school. It was fun enjoying a book with him that I remember reading when I was close to his age.

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Makelle June 24, 2013 - 11:21 am

I love anything by Susanna Kearsley. I love her style of writing and most of her books are historical romances (but clean). But of all her books my favorite is “The Winter Sea”

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Lisa June 24, 2013 - 11:21 am

My 8 yr old daughter and I are currently reading the Whatever After series by Sarah Mlynowski. Our favorites right now! 🙂

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Shirley C June 24, 2013 - 11:22 am

Killing Lincoln was most interesting. Can’t wait to read some of the books on you list. Thanks so much for the list.

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tina June 24, 2013 - 11:22 am

Unglued by Lisa Terkeust, great book for moms!

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