Reading Recommendations: Summertime Reads

Summertime is making it’s arrival and it’s a great time to read outdoors! Today I’ll be sharing a variety of novels that you can enjoy in the summer sun while you lounge by the beach. Enjoy!

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Synopsis: Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia—she can perceive a person’s emotions just by tasting their cooking. Despite being raised by a single mother who taught her that dreams and true love were silly fairy tales, she decides to take a chance and puts her heart and savings into opening a fusion restaurant in Inwood, Manhattan. The restaurant offers a mix of the Dominican cuisine she grew up with and other world cuisines that have been a source of culinary inspiration to her.

When Lumi’s eclectic venture fails, she is forced to take a position as a sous chef at a staid, traditional French restaurant in midtown owned by Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his acid tongue as well as his brilliant smile. Lumi and Julien don’t get along in the kitchen–to say Lumi is irritated by Julien’s smug attitude is an understatement, and she secretly vows never to taste his cooking. Little does she know that her resolve doesn’t stand a chance against Julien’s culinary prowess.

This novel was rich with aspects of Dominican culture and I love how Lumi was not only proud of her heritage but also wanted to share it with others through her cooking. This was a fun read with a enemies-to-lovers romance trope, but more importantly its about the power of food and its healing powers to mend relationships and how it makes you reminisce about the good times. (Review)

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Synopsis: Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…

Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…

If you’re looking for a fun YA historical fiction novel with a fantasy twist, this is one is a fun read. I love the way this trio of authors put a spin on history and breathed new life into the narrative. It’s full of witty humor, action scenes, and intriguing dialogue. Best of all the cast of characters is highly entertaining! I’ll have to read more books in this series.

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Synopsis: Sometimes you just have to laugh, even when life is a dumpster fire. With We Are Never Meeting in Real Life., “bitches gotta eat” blogger and comedian Samantha Irby turns the serio-comic essay into an art form. Whether talking about how her difficult childhood has led to a problem in making “adult” budgets, explaining why she should be the new Bachelorette–she’s “35-ish, but could easily pass for 60-something”–detailing a disastrous pilgrimage-slash-romantic-vacation to Nashville to scatter her estranged father’s ashes, sharing awkward sexual encounters, or dispensing advice on how to navigate friendships with former drinking buddies who are now suburban moms–hang in there for the Costco loot–she’s as deft at poking fun at the ghosts of her past self as she is at capturing powerful emotional truths.

I have been a longtime reader of Irby’s blog and this the first one of her essay books I’ve read. Irby has a way with words in her writing. She’s real, down-the-earth, and (a lot of the time) is to the point. This essay collection is humorous even though it deals with a lot of heavier topics. It’s her open personality that allows the readers to connect with her stories. Even the more cringe-worthy ones. This essay collection was highly entertaining and emotional!

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Synopsis: Ten years ago Yaichi’s twin brother moved to Canada and married a man called Mike. A month ago, he died.

Now Mike has arrived to Japan to meet Yaichi and his daughter Kana. Yaichi has to face his own preconceptions and come to terms about who his brother really was. (description from Goodreads)

With beautifully written and lovely illustrations, this graphic novel gives a closer look about the LGBT culture/views in Japan. I loved the theme of family in this novel and there were so many tender moments that were heartwarming to me. It teaches important lessons about about love, acceptance and what truly makes a family. Kana’s inquisitive nature to ask questions about her uncle strengthens their bonds as well as she and Yaichi learn more about his twin brother after they lost touch.

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Synopsis: Talking to other people isn’t Kate Bailey’s favorite activity. She’d much rather be out on the lake, soaking up the solitude and sunshine. So when her best friend, Alana, convinces Kate to join their high school’s podcast, Kate is not expecting to be chosen as the host. Now she’ll have to answer calls and give advice on the air? Impossible.

But to Kate’s surprise, she turns out to be pretty good at the hosting gig. Then the podcast gets in a call from an anonymous guy, asking for advice about his unnamed crush. Kate is pretty sure that the caller is gorgeous Diego Martinez, and even surer that the girl in question is Alana. Kate is excited for her friend … until Kate herself starts to develop feelings for Diego. Suddenly, Kate finds that while doling out wisdom to others may be easy, asking for help is tougher than it looks, and following your own advice is even harder.

The book was very enjoyable and I liked the theme of coming-of-age mixed with romance. All of the main characters are in their junior year of high school so they are discovering who they are while making major life decisions (ex. college, careers). I liked the romance development in West’s book is slower and how most of her characters couples start out as friends before jumping into a relationship (even though the instant attraction is there). (Review)

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Synopsis: On the day Torrey officially becomes a college freshman, he gets a call that might force him to drop out before he’s even made it through orientation: the bee farm his beloved uncle Miles left him after his tragic death is being foreclosed on.

Torrey would love nothing more than to leave behind the family and neighborhood that’s bleeding him dry. But he still feels compelled to care for the project of his uncle’s heart. As the farm heads for auction, Torrey precariously balances choosing a major and texting Gabriel—the first boy he ever kissed—with the fight to stop his uncle’s legacy from being demolished. But as notice letters pile up and lawyers appear at his dorm, dividing himself between family and future becomes impossible unless he sacrifices a part of himself. 

This novel follows the story of Torrey a black teenager who is a first generation college student in his family. His excitement for this new journey is dampened when he finds out the bee apiary back home is being sold. I felt that Torrey’s character is not only complex but is relatable to a wide audience as well. He’s got a lot of growing up to do and he’s trying to process a lot of stuff. He’s vulnerable, feels conflicted, but also stands up for what he believes in.

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Synopsis: Silver Spoon (銀の匙 Gin no Saji) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa, set in the fictional Oezo Agricultural High School in Hokkaido. It depicts the daily life of Yugo Hachiken, a student from Sapporo who, unlike his new classmates, has no intention of following an agricultural career after graduating. Instead, he decided to study there under the misguided notion that he could easily be the top student in the class. 

This manga has more of a slice of life focus.The story is a fish out of water narrative about a city boy who transfers to an agricultural high school in a rural town. The main character learns a lot about life and farming as he pushes himself to adapt to new surroundings (I also learned a lot of information about agriculture and live stock).The cast of characters is very lively and I felt it matches the sometime silly tone of the story and all of the crazy antics that ensue at the farm.

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That concludes my reading recommendations for Summer Reading! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below!