Six Books for Summer Reading
Dear readers,
It’s been a year! We’ve accidentally taken a bit of a hiatus from posting, but don’t worry—we’ve got some exciting things coming soon that we can’t wait to tell you about. We hope that all of you are finding the time to rest and care for yourselves this summer.
Like many of you, we look forward to summer as a time for reading. Is there any more delicious feeling than staying up all night turning page after page, knowing you don’t have to get up early to go to school tomorrow? Here are a few of our recent favorites.
Books for Grownups
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I (Katrina) was already a huge fan of Michelle Zauner’s music (she performs under the name Japanese Breakfast), but I was floored by this book. It’s a memoir especially about her experiences with her mother’s battle with cancer, her reflections on her Korean-American identity, and the way food threads through her relationships.
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Còrdova
Gorgeous magical realism about a family blessed/cursed with magical gifts, faced with unraveling their family’s secrets when their matriarch announces she’s dying. It’s a complex story that crosses decades and miles from Ecuador to New York City, richly woven together across multiple timelines. If your children have made you watch Encanto 97 times and you’re looking for a grownup version of that vibe, you’ll love this book.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
A grumpy and rule-following case worker for the Department of Magical Youth gets more than he bargained for while investigating an orphanage for magical children. This book is just delightful—it will make you laugh and tug at your heartstrings. A love story about the power of chosen family.
Books for Kids
Sweet illustrations and poetic language show how animals and humans find joy through their play, perfect for the younger readers in your life. The book also includes a glossary of animal names in both English and Cree (including a pronunciation guide), and an author’s note from Julie explaining more about the Cree perspective on humans’ relationship to animals and each other.
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman and Loren Long
Loren Long’s vibrant illustrations and Amanda Gorman’s clear and rhythmic poetry show children an inclusive, powerful vision for how they can imagine and create a better world. The language and rhyme in this book, plus the inspiring message, make it a great one to read over and over.
This gorgeous novel in verse is about an eleven-year-old girl who is bullied for being fat, and her journey to self-love. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. This book is geared towards older middle grade or young YA readers, but reading it as an adult made me think so much about my own experiences with body image growing up, parenting, and the impact seemingly small comments can have on others. I read it in one sitting and fully cried on the beach.
Let us know what you’ve loved lately, and what you’re planning to read this summer! And make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss any of our announcements coming soon.
@katrinadavino @lizziehetzer @mmounteer #stilllearning
-Katrina, Lizzie, and Marie