Mom’s Summer Reading List
June 11, 2019 | by ashlynn reynolds-dyk
One of my favorite parts of summer is getting up before anyone else is awake and sitting on our back deck, cup of coffee in one hand, and book in the other. I always ask my friends and family what needs to be on my summer reading list, and I have created quite the list this year. With that in mind, I’m going to offer five books - okay, it actually ends up being seven if you read carefully - to add to your summer reading list. These include some of my favorites and some that are on my own must-read list based on solid recommendations from friends and family. Each of these books are available at Billings Public Library, on audible, and of course on websites like Amazon or Barnes and Noble for new or used hard copies.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
A #1 New York Times Bestseller, and now an HBO film starring Oprah Winfrey, this book is for everyone but especially those who love science and history. In 1951, a black tobacco farmer, HeLa, has her cells taken without her knowledge. Her cells have multiplied and still exist today leaving her bloodline with many questions. Like I said, this book is great for anyone, but I think it is an especially great option for the classroom as it brings about themes of ethics, race, law, medicine, science, and so much more.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
I ordered this one last week and it showed up just a couple days ago (yes, I like my hard copies in hand). I’m almost finished with Educated (also highly recommended!) and I will start this one. I’ve heard such good things about it with themes revolving around mystery, romance, and nature. It is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and has a 5-star rating from almost 14,000 people on Amazon having just come out in 2018.
Rachel Hollis
Okay, Rachel Hollis isn’t a book but Hollis is a great author who offers some solid advice for women like you and me. Her newest book, out as of March 12, 2019 is titled Girl, Stop Apologizing, but if you haven’t read Girl, Wash Your Face, you might start with that. There is even a summary/condensed version of this book available if you are short on time. In this series, Hollis encourages women to take control of their lives, live up to their full potential, and quit letting people talk them out of their dreams. When she started talking about her addiction to Diet Coke, I knew she was my soul sister. You can get both books on audible or there are plenty of new and used hard copies available online! Hollis has a number of other books available like Party Girl’s First Date and Smart Girl although it is her Girl, Wash Your Face series that really has people talking.
Cat and Nat's Mom Truths by Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer.
Cat and Nat's Mom Truths: Embarrassing Stories and Brutally Honest Advice on the Extremely Real Struggle of Motherhood by Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer
I must confess that I LOL to these women’s videos ALL. THE. TIME. How Clubbing Prepares You for Motherhood is quite possibly my favorite. Cat and Nat offer a mother’s perspective talking honestly, openly, and sarcastically about everything from aging to sex to sleep to parenting. Their new book also came out this past March, and like Hollis, they also offer podcasts and have a live tour. You can check out any of their Mom Truth Friday videos (I LOVE these) by visiting their website https://catandnat.ca/momtruths.
We Were the Lucky Ones: A Novel by Georgia Hunter
If you are a history buff and especially if you like WWII stories, you have to read this one. Another New York Times Bestseller, this book revolves around the Kurcs - a Jewish family separated at the start of WWII. In today’s world full of ISIS, social media, and so much more, this book offers a refreshing perspective on perseverance, gratitude, and family. At its heart, it is a love story. “An extraordinary, propulsive novel, We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive.”
*book covers via Amazon.com
