Summer Reading List 2014

I don't know about you guys, but growing up, I was a super-cool kid. So cool in fact, that one of the most anticipated activities of my summer was tackling my reading list. Sure, my peers were out gallivanting around at swimming pools and getting up to all sorts of tomfoolery, but not me. No, all I needed was a tall glass of Tang and a good read.

Alright, that might be an exaggeration, but really. There's something about summer that makes a long reading list so exciting. And this summer's releases are really delivering. Here are some highlights from my must-read list:

Euphoria by Lily King - This is at the top of virtually every reading list out there right now, so I'm eager to see what all the fuss is about. A trio of 1930's anthropologists happen upon an undiscovered tribe in New Guinea, and the resulting experiences challenge their relationships with their pasts, their futures, and each other. Dun dun dunnnn... Seriously, you had me at 1930's antrhopologists.

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You by Courtney Maum - This is another chart topper, and the reviews have me intrigued. It's about a divorced man's midlife crisis after the loss of his mistress, and his determination to re-win the love of his wife. It's a comedy of life, love, and regret set in London and Paris - if that's not a recipe for a great summer read, I don't know what is.

This One Summer by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki - I'm a sucker for a good coming of age story, and this graphic novel packs a punch. The story follows a young girl through her family's summer vacation filled with secrets, danger, and friendship. The art and prose guide you back to the sense of security and the relentless excitement of childhood, and force you to face very adult struggles through a child's eyes.

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer - This is the story of Matthew, a 19 year old boy with schizophrenia who writes in order to come to terms with his brother's death. The resulting tale is an insightful exploration of mental illness, tragedy, and love.

Not That Kind of Girl - Lena Dunham - To be fair, this one doesn't come out until September. But I'm going to spend all summer anticipating it, so that counts as a summer read, right? I loved Bossypants and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and I expect Dunham's memoir to deliver equal parts discomfort, humor, and encouragement.

Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead - This is described as "a gorgeously written, fiercely compelling glimpse into the demanding world of professional ballet and its magnetic hold over two generations." Where do I sign up? Seriously, I dabbled in dance as a child and I've always been fascinated by the intense behind-the scenes drama of ballet. Yes, please.

The Aftermath by Rhidian Brook - Two families inhabit a grand mansion as Hamburg struggles to rebuild from the post WWII rubble. Drama ensues. This could be Masterpiece Theater in a novel, and I'm on board. This gets my vote for perfect porch read.

Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique - This imaginative story chronicles three generations from 1916 to 1970 in the Virgin Islands. It's a love story, a history lesson, and a fairy tale, all in one. Fans of the late Gabriel Garcia Marquez (ie: me) will love this.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami - This is another cheat as it's not released until August, but it's also my most anticipated read this year. Haruki Murakami is probably my favorite living author, and this sounds like it'll be an excellent example of his talent. He's a realist who distorts the border with fantasy in order to achieve a higher and more honest reality. Sorry, my lit major came out for a second, let me clarify: It's great and you should read it!

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