Letter 124: Book Girl Summer, Vol 4

When we talk about our favorite books

The 4th Annual Summer Book Recommendations!

One of Anita’s and my favorite topics is books. That’s why it’s always a favorite tradition to assemble this summer book round-up. Also, this is a gentle reminder that no matter how you’re reading a book — hard copy, Kindle or audiobook — it all counts! Oftentimes, there’s so much labeling about what people are reading, the length of the book, the purpose of the book and whether or not it’s good literature (we’re looking at you, romantasy!). We believe in tossing the rules aside and enjoying whatever you want to read, whenever you want to read it. Especially during the lazy days of summer!

We’d love to see what you’re reading — please share with us in the comments below.

And if you want to catch up on past Book Girl Summer Lists, check them out here:

• Volume 3: 2023

• Volume 2: 2022

• Volume 1: 2021

Without further ado, here are our 2024 suggestions to enjoy this summer! —Molly & Anita

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“Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.”

Fernando Pessoa

Molly

(To help me remember my books every year, I take a picture right after I finish reading the book. In some of my pictures below, you'll also see that reserving the large print editions is a secret to getting a book quicker at the library.)

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Another stellar EmHen romantic comedy that Nora Ephron would approve of

TLC readers know I love Emily Henry and include her often. This novel didn’t disappoint, and I devoured it quickly. Henry’s work resonates with so many of us because she writes realistic love stories about people who aren’t perfect. This story followed suit as I rooted for Daphne and Miles as they worked out their issues side-by-side. Daphne sorts out how she understands herself and her understanding of love after her wedding to Peter was called off by the groom. The character development, story pacing, and honest-but-romantical tone of Funny Story continue the EmHen trend of great summer reads.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Beautiful, artful storytelling woven around how we understand the loves of our past

I love stories that include sisters (last year’s Hello Beautiful) and Patchett’s recent book shares how a mother retells a beautiful love story to her daughters, uncovering vulnerabilities and tender truths along the way. Patchett, in each of her books, tells incredible stories in a way that you feel right alongside the narrator, or even Patchett herself, in a coffee shop on a lazy weekend morning. Zero pretense, simple but resonant honesty and relationships that seem like our own, Tom Lake is excellent. (Several good friends listened to Meryl Streep read this in audiobook and said it was exceptional.)

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue

A friendship-driven love story with deep layers and brilliant storytelling

I don’t often read Irish fiction (which is part of the reason I chose it for my book club), so O’Donoghue was a nice introduction. This book is popular now, and I couldn’t get a library copy for weeks. Instead, I listened to my library’s audio copy, and I’m so glad I did. The narrator did an excellent job with her various Irish (and British) accents and listening to the book made the story even better than reading the physical book. The story follows Rachel and her best friend James through a tumultuous time in their young lives, navigating the turns of understanding identity both in the present and in the past, the confusing layers of love and truth in romantic relationships, and how friendships really are the marrow of life. I also appreciated that not everything in the book was shiny, perfect and pretty; rather, O’Donoghue shares the raw truth about the complex parts of life.

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Anita

Or Perish in the Attempt by Dr. David Peck

In addition to being one of the most prolific readers I know, my good friend Kimber recently finished training to be a Wilderness and Urban EMT.  She spends a good part of the year in Crested Butte, Colorado and regularly hikes the many mountains around there. She’s an OG badass. While visiting her recently, she handed me this book and said it was fascinating. I’m pretty sure I thought to myself, “Just take it, and you can donate it later.” Lo and behold, Kimber was right.  Written by a physician who grew up along the Lewis & Clark Trail, David Peck brings a boyish enthusiasm to his descriptions of the many hardships the expedition faced and the rudimentary medical practices they used to treat all manner of mishaps on the journey.  A mix of medical history and adventure writing, the hiker and explorer in me found it to be a great primer for summer. 

Lost & Found by Kathryn Schulz  

My mom died two years ago, my dad died 13 years ago, and most tragically, my oldest brother died at the age of 47, almost 18 years ago. Each of their deaths was so terribly sad. Yet, during their illnesses, my own family was happy, growing and alive with possibilities. Schulz weaves the stories of losing her father with the meeting of the woman she would marry to explore how joy and sorrow are inseparable. It is a beautifully written memoir about love and loss, happiness and grief, granularity, and cosmic wonder.  It may not be the romcom page-turner you normally reach for during the summer, but it will offer you insight on how to live with both wonder and suffering.  It was a balm to my soul.

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

If you enjoyed Tara Westover’s Educated, you will also like Safiya Sinclair’s memoir How to Say Babylon.  Any romantic ideas I had about Rastafari that I mistakenly picked up from reggae music and travel to Jamaica were quickly shattered by this book. 

A strict follower of Rastafari, Safiya’s father tries to protect his girls from Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world. In doing so, he attempts to control every aspect of their lives, including their hair, dress, opinions and friends. This book is Sinclair’s reckoning with the Rastafari culture, the patriarchy, and her father, who all try to silence her.

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Our 5 Favorites Things (for summertime!)

• I recently had this simple salad at a friend’s birthday dinner, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it and plan to make it at home: cubed watermelon, feta, shredded mint leaf, sliced cucumber with a light balsamic glaze. So good and perfect for these hot nights! —Molly

• Memphis summers are…unbearable…and they require constant hydration. I don’t love plain water, but these help me enjoy it a lot more. —Molly

• I’m turning into a straight-up bird lady, and I’ve been battling the squirrels nonstop this summer. This has saved the day—and my birds’ food. (I recognize that writing about watching my birds means I’m officially aging. Ha!) —Molly

• My favorite summer dessert is a granita. Cheap, easy to make and refreshing. Search on line and good recipes abound. Here’s a favorite (with or without the vodka): Lemon Basil Granita. — Anita

• Strands. The New York Times is beta-testing a new game. We are all addicted. This will not help you put your phone down. — Anita

With gratitude,

Molly + Anita

P.S. Share your favorite summer recommendations with us below in the comments!