my summer reading list

The Goldfinch, one of my favourite summer reads from last year!

Hey, everybody!

For this blog post, I've decided to come back to my roots. It's been too long since I've written about books!

When I first returned from school, I had a whole blog post written about how I wouldn't buy any more books for the entire summer. I had failed at that plan before the post was ever published.

This summer, like every other summer, has consisted of me lounging around on the porch, a book in one hand, and a sweet tea in the other.

Read below to hear my thoughts on the books I've been reading lately.

Had to stop and read some Jane while exploring Old City, Philadelphia last spring.

Currently reading

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

I have to be honest, this is my third or fourth attempt at cracking this book. For some reason, Northanger Abbey just isn't clicking like Pride and Prejudice did all those years ago.

However, I have faith in myself this time. For the past week, Jane Austen has consumed my life (more info on that later). I'm only 100 pages into Northanger Abbey, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and think I can push through until the end.

Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Before you ask, no, I have not seen the show.

My friends and I started a book club, and this is our first pick. Thanks to me being more-or-less banned from the library (long story), I am giving e-books another try.

Read

How to Bullsh*t Your Way to Number 1: An Unorthodox Guide to 21st Century Success by Oobah Butler

I'm one of those people who avidly loves Vice. Some of my favourite Vice videos and articles are made by Oobah Butler. This book was basically an extension of his most famous documentary, about him convincing London that his shed is a five-star restaurant.

Fun fact: my best friend and I made a grocery shopping-themed ASMR video following the advice of this book, and planned on uploading it to YouTube and writing a blog post about it. I'm glad I discarded that idea.

Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley

Oh, how I love Jordan Lee Dooley and her book! Lucky for me, I was chosen to be a part of Own Your Everyday's launch team and given a free paperback advanced readers copy. To read more about my thoughts on the book, check out this blog post.

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession by Alice Bolin

Dead Girls was so promising, but ultimately ended up being a let down. Only one-third of the book concerns its supposed thesis—that American media and society has a dark, twisted fascination with dead girls, which is rooted in misogyny and capitalism. The majority of the book can be summarised in one sentence: I went to California, read a lot of Joan Didion, and was sad.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reed

If you're a fan of Fleetwood Mac, check this book out. You may notice a few similarities between Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne's relationship, and Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham's.

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susan

My love for Sharon Tate and the 60s as a whole led me to reading this book.

It is a decades-spanning cautionary tale of what fame does to a person.

Killing Eve: Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings

Unless you're a big fan of the show, I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Honestly, it is shocking that Phoebe Waller Bridge transformed such a cliché and boring story into the greatness that is Killing Eve season one.

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

If you want a challenge, read The Argonauts. Nelson's prose on sexuality and motherhood is hard to decipher if one isn't highly educated on critical theory. (Or maybe, I'm just really stupid).

However, once I became accustomed to Nelson's writing style and topics, I did enjoy the book. Don't let the opening lines—which jump from anal sex to philosophy—scare you away.

The Idiot by Elif Bautman

I was so excited for this book. To be honest, I hadn't heard of it until Variety announced the film adaptation. People described The Idiot as a cross between my favourite film, Phantom Thread, and one of my all-time guilty pleasures, Twilight. There was no poisoning and no vampires. I was disappointed. However, despite being mislead, I really liked The Idiot.

Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty

Big Little Lies has such a special place in my heart (read: expect a blog post about it soon).

Moriarty's book is such a touching and humorous look at trauma, abuse and sisterhood. It is truly a book by women, for women. Despite such heavy themes, Big Little Lies is an easy read, that I highly recommend to anyone.

Put on hold

As much as I enjoy reading some books, sometimes you just get in a rut and need to take a break.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

This book is an absolute treasure. Berendt's collection of characters (should I call them characters if they're real people?) has made me plan a trip to Savannah and consider moving there after school.

For someone who is not the biggest fan of nonfiction, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil has captured my attention. It seems to me that many journalists 'retire', and write non-fiction novels à la this and In Cold Blood. Years down the line, I aspire to write one as good as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Dead Until Dark by Charlene Harris

This summer, I started watching True Blood, so, of course, I had to start reading the books as well. I'm currently halfway through the first book in the series.

My thoughts, simplified: hate Bill, love Eric, and, above all, love Sookie.

You may recognise this from my Instagram stories last week!

To be read

Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion by Jane Austen

Sometime last week, something came over me—I had an all-consuming urge to read and watch everything related to Jane Austen. I think it started when I watched The Jane Austen Book Club on Netflix. I have now resolved to read the rest of Jane's novels, and hold my own Jane Austen book club (albeit, with only myself as a member; I have failed at recruiting others).

If you wanna join by (currently) one-woman book club, just hit me up on Instagram.

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

As I am writing this, I received a very special Amazon package. Okay, it's not really that special. It was just an electric kettle for my Philly apartment and a copy of Le Petit Prince (in French!).

I'm so excited to have finally gotten the original French version in my hands. Sadly, I was not able to continue my French classes this summer, so I have been studying at home. This book will be a great addition to my tools!

Not me obviously, I just really love Reese Witherspoon.

Beach reads

Next month, right before I head back to school, my family is going to the beach.

While I love Jane Austen, I don't intend on reading her novels down there.

Right now, I'm thinking about bringing down Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (just because I'm not reading Austen, doesn't mean I can't read an adaptation), Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (my aunt read this at the beach last summer, and leant me her copy, which I still haven't read), and The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (because I cannot wait for Joe Wright's adaptation starring Amy Adams).

Have any suggestions? DM them to me on Instagram!

Make sure to stay updated by joining my mailing list and following @booksandbrie on Instagram!

— Milly xx