Summer Series- Book Recommendations for a Summer Spent Indoors
Well another record week of heat! Too hot to even be outside in the pool. Fighting for a spot at the lake or the beach just seems like too much work especially that the United States is treating this summer like a three month long Spring Break. So what is the alternative? Not watching more TV, but how about cracking open a good book in the comfort of our air conditioned home. Let’s face it, we have watched everything on Netflix, HULU, Disney+ probably even PBS because of the Pandemic. The written word can take our brains to a different world. Where we actually use our imagination and relax without being over stimulated the way video games and mindlessly searching through social media can do. So below I have put together some recommendations to hopefully give you some inspiration and an alternative to beat the heat this week. Enjoy!
Fantasy
O Yes, you probably watched the Witcher on Netflix but that series was just the tip of the iceberg of Andrzej Sapkowaki’a series. Sword of Destiny then The Last Wish both precede the main Witcher Saga and are a must read this summer!
A Deadly Education is a series of two books by Naomi Novik. If you are looking for a Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games this is it!
Fiction
If you love mysteries, intrigue and Gothic story telling, then this is the book for you. Set in 18th-century London this one takes you through many twists and turns.
Anyone interested in the beginnings of the West in the Gold Rush era will enjoy this book. This story of two Chinese orphaned siblings that face the tough trials of living in the Wild West.
Nonfiction
Truman Capote is most known for Breakfast at Tiffany’s in popular culture but In Cold Blood is his tour de force! You love crime and murder mysteries this one will keep you riveted from cover to cover. In Cold Blood still holds the place of the second highest selling Non-Fiction true Crime book ever sold.
This book will take you into the deep depths of the Arctic Ocean with a South Pole expedition gone wrong. The book is based off of true events that is reconstructed by the books author Julian Sancton. Again, another book that will captivate you and hold your attention from cover to cover.
Biographies
I know a lot of you are faithful listeners of this wild popular podcast My Favorite Murder. The Dual Memoir of the shows creators does not disappoint for anyone that is fans of the show.
I think I have read Gabrielle Hamiltons book at least five times. Blood, Bones and Butter is a beautifully written Memoir of this talented and successful Chefs life. Written by the Chef herself with no Ghost Writer you would have thought she was an English Literature Professor from Sarah Lawrence.
Historical
I never was educated on the Women’s rights movement or Women in History period until I went to Arizona State and purposely took Women in History 410. I had a brilliant professor that had such passion for the subject and this book will give you that experience I had in my lectures and much more. Wonderful read and wonderfully written.
Another subject not talked about in History classes, the history of the Islamic world. Most likley why we have such a hard time relating and understanding all the issues in the Middle East is because of our lack of education on it. In this well researched and Historical account you will come out of it having a greater grasp and understanding to gain a greater world view.
Classics
Emily Bronte’s crown jewel is a classic. Written a year before her death at the young age of 30. It takes you into the Victorian Era and all its downfalls. The description of the Yorkshire Moors that Emily describes is haunting and swallows you into this world of human psychology. You will be wanting to make this a yearly read.
The Time Machine is a classic piece of science fiction literature published in 1895 by H.G. Wells. Set in Victorian England around the idea of Time Travel. The story takes you from Victorian England to 802,701 into the future. H.G. Wells imagination takes you on a ride that you won’t want to put down.
Have a wonderful week everyone! Next week I am taking a week off for a much long over due vacation. I will most likely be on my couch with the cats reading a few of these books as this heat wave continues.
Happy Wellness Wednesday!
Shara