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Top 10 Summer Reads

What makes a good summer read?

I think everyone has their own definition of a 'summer read' ... sometimes they can be defined as a book that is light and fluffy, and doesn't require to much in the thinking department... perfect for a relaxing summer day. My definition of a Summer Read is just a little bit different. First off, and the most important it has to take place in the summer... there will be no reading about the dregs of winter, when the sun is shining outside! Nothing says summer reading to me like a book that takes place at the beach (although for my list it doesn't have to take place at the beach). Secondly it has to be entertaining! Sure it can be fluffy and fun or even thoughtful and bittersweet, but it has to be entertaining. And thirdly it should have some great chara

1. My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters

by Sydney Slater

The summer before her senior year, Jory and her friends are in for some fun times and funny situations. With a hilarious protag and an awesome story line, this book should definitely be on your summer reading piles. There's a little bit of a love story too, which helps had that feel good element. Be prepared for a lot of laughing out loud with this one.

2. Along for the Ride

by Sarah Dessen

Of course I have to have a Sarah Dessen novel on this list, and I'm going to go with her most recent title Along for the Ride. This is one is set at the beach... so you can't get much more summer than that. Plus Auden is a totally enthralling character, you won't be able to stop turning the pages. Bike shops and insomnia... what a great read.

3. Twenty Boy Summer

by Sarah Ockler

You might remember Twenty Boy Summer from the Top Ten Cover list... but this novel can also make it's home here on the Top 10 Summer Reads list! It's so much more than just a pretty cover.This one has a little bit of everything in it... heartache... love... friendship... self discovery... and it's set at the beach. The descriptions for the setting are so well done, you'll swear you are at the beach with Anna and Frankie. Put this one near the top of the pile.

4. The Summer of Skinny Dipping

by Amanda Howells

Not your typical summer love story. Has all the great elements of a great summer read, plus a few extras thrown in there. If you like to have a front row seat in watch character growth this is definitely the summer read for you... and it's not only the mc, that's going through the metamorphosis... the secondary characters get in on the action too. The grass isn't always greener even when it seems like there is plenty of sunshine and rain.

5. Why I Let My Hair Grow Out

by Maryrose Wood

The first novel in a trilogy and by far the best one out of the series, in my opinion. Morgan is headed off to a bike tour of Ireland for the summer... hoping to forget being dumped by her oh-so-hot boyfriend... and the snap decision to cut off her flowing locks. This one has a cute boy, Irish mythology and a hilarious protag. You are going to love it! Only wish the rest of the series was a good...

6. Sea Change

by Aimee Fridman

How would you like to head off to a small private island for the summer? One with cute boys, a boardwalk and a mysterious history? If you answer is yes, you can do all of that by picking up a copy of Sea Change! And lucky for you this one just came out in paperback so you can ever get the cheaper alternative and still have that awesomely beautiful cover... Mysterious love story, uncommon main character, and a picturesque summer getaway. Fun times.

7. Stealing Heaven

by Elizabeth Scott

Heading to a sleepy beach-town with your mom to relieve it's residents of their personal belongings... doesn't that just scream summer read! Dani is tired of being on the run moving from town to town with her mother, stealing things to make some quick cash. You get to experience Dani's desire to give up the only life that she's ever known and try to live the life that she's always wanted.

8. Shadowed Summer

by Saundra Mitchell

Southern ghost story with a little bit of a mystery and a huge twist that you'll never see coming! Fun authentic characters and a fantastically realistic coming of age story... despite the whole ghost story thing! Plus the writing is so very beautiful! It's a fun summer read that should definitely be added to your reading piles! Just don't read it in the dark... lol.

9. Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty

by Jody Gehrman

Okay this book is hilarious! Hi-freaking-larious! I absolutely love Geena. She is such a realistic character... and she gets in these less than perfect situations and it's hysterical to watch her work her way out them! This novel is loosely reminiscent to Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Not to mention that the girls work at a coffee shop and the hardcover has a scratch and sniff cover!

10. How to Be Bad

by E. Lockhart, Sarah Myracle, Sarah Mlynowski

The ultimate summer road trip book. Coolest thing about this book is that the authors actually did a road trip of their own when writing the book. I'm sure there experiences where a little different, but they did go to Disney World just like the characters in the books. You get three perspectives from each of the girls, who all have their own reasons for embarking on the journey. Just a fun, easy carefree summer read.

and just as an extra...

Top Ten Summer Reads I Wish I'd Read:

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
2. Every Little Thing in the World by Nina de Gramont
3. Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols
4. Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
5. Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald
6. Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
7. Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel
8. Mermaid Park by Beth Mayall
9. Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
10. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

What are your favorite summer reads?