There’s also just something about wandering around a book store. Now picture the cutest, independently owned bookstore, in Lunenburg, one of the most picturesque towns and you have Lexicon Books. Basically it’s like being in the middle of a Hallmark movie. What better place to browse the shelves and pick up some Summer Reading material. I love it here.

When I think about a perfect summer day, several things come to mind. Sun shine, warm breezes, something cool to drink, and a good book to get lost in. I’ll be honest during the year and especially since I started blogging full-time, I don’t read for pleasure as much as I would like. But in the summer, I like to have a stack of books just waiting for me, calling out saying, “sit…relax…get lost in this book…summer won’t last forever you know…” 😉 Which is why I thought I needed a Summer Reading Guide.

My youngest daughter, Grace, also likes to have a stack of books for lazy summer days. When she was younger she used to love the summer reading clubs the library would put out, but now at 14, she’s ready for a more independent approach. As long as she is still reading I don’t care how it looks! So when I told her I was going to put together a reading guide for the blog, I asked her if she would put together one too. She was sold as soon as I mentioned that we were partnering with Lexicon Books. 🙂

We spent an afternoon at our favorite bookstore, with Alice, one of the owners, giving us some direction and feedback on titles. It was really helpful as narrowing down our choices was the most difficult part.

I did a little Facebook Live from Lexicon Books that day, in which I give you a little tour of the store….

So here is what I have on my Summer Reading Guide for 2017:

The Sea was in Their Blood: The Devastating Loss of the Miss Ally’s Five-Man Crew– Quinten Casey

I’m really anxious to read this story by local author Quinten Casey. At the time of this tragedy we knew several families through our son’s hockey team, that were from the area and who had friends and loved ones on the Miss Ally. An unthinkable loss for their community.

Option B- Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy– Sheryl Sandberg

Oh my…I heard an interview on CBC with Sheryl Sandberg and it convinced me I needed to read this book. After the sudden death of her husband, Sheryl learns about building resilience and moving forward after life’s inevitable setbacks. Option B also discusses how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces.

Not a light summer read, but an important one.

We’re All in This Together– Amy Jones

“A woman goes over a waterfall, a video goes viral, a family goes into meltdown — life is about to get a lot more complicated for the Parker family.” This sounds good…and perfect for the beach. 🙂

This is Where I Leave You- Jonathan Tropper

“Simultaneously mourning the demise of his father and his marriage, Judd joins his dysfunctional family as they reluctantly sit shiva-and spend seven days and nights under the same roof. The week quickly spins out of control as longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed and old passions are reawakened.” This sounds like a family drama I will enjoy. Pass the chips! 🙂

Bread, Wine, Chocolate, The Slow Loss of Foods We Love– Simran Sethi

This title…the cover…I can’t wait to read this. “Food is one of the greatest pleasures of human life. Our response to sweet, salty, bitter, or sour is deeply personal, combining our individual biological characteristics, personal preferences, and emotional connections. Bread, Wine, Chocolate illuminates not only what it means to recognize the importance of the foods we love, but also what it means to lose them. Award-winning journalist Simran Sethi reveals how the foods we enjoy are endangered by genetic erosion—a slow and steady loss of diversity in what we grow and eat.”

The Witches of New York– Ami McKay

Ami McKay is the author of one of my favorite books, The Birth House, and I know The Witches of New York has been out for a while, but I haven’t had time to read it yet. So, it’s on my Summer Reading Guide…because…Ami McKay. 🙂

Grace’s YA Summer Reading Guide List

Dumplin– Julie Murphy

“For fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell comes this powerful novel with the most fearless heroine—self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson—from Julie Murphy, the acclaimed author of Side Effects May Vary. With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.”

Mosquitoland– David Arnold

“After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.
So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.”

Out of My Mind– Sharon Draper

“Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.”

The Sun is Also a Star– Nicola Yoon

This is the latest book by the author of Everything, Everything. A love story and winner of numerous awards.

We Were Liars– E. Lockhart

“A rich, stunning summer mystery with a sharp twist that will leave you dying to talk about the book with a pal or ten.”–Parade.com

Honestly I would like to read some of the books on Grace’s Young Adult list! There are so many options available now to keep teenagers reading and Lexicon Books has a dedicated YA section with lots of variety.

Lexicon Books, located at 125 Montague St in Lunenburg, has graciously offered a 20% discount off any of the books featured on our two Summer Reading Guides until July 31st. They even have them linked on their website so you could order online, but if at all possible, I suggest a visit to their charming store. Mention the Simple Local Life Reading Guide, and if you are buying one of the books from the list, you’ll get 20% off your purchase. Thanks Lexicon Books!

Do you know what else you need for your summer beach reads? How about a nice bag for all your summer goodies, including your books. Lexicon Books is giving away one of their lovely cloth shopping bags to one Simple Local Life reader. Entry form with multiple entry options is available below.

* Lexicon Books has generously offered a 20% discount to anyone purchasing a book off our Summer Reading Guide and donated a cloth bag for a giveaway, but all opinions of the store and books are my own.

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