These are the books that are not necessarily the obvious choices for a summer reading list, but they'll inform and entertain!
As You Wish by Cary Elwes
You love this movie, right? Well, then you'll love this book. It's all the behind the scenes stories and interesting tidbits that you never knew how much you wanted to know. Also, it is written by the guy who played Wesley, who I totally had a crush on as a kid.
P.S. This makes for a really great audiobook too! Many of the actors themselves read the book - so fun!
Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do by Tom Vanderbilt
Yes, this is a book about traffic, but it's more interesting than it sounds. Vanderbilt tackles the big questions - like why does it always seem like the lane next to you is moving faster? and why do most crashes happen on dry, sunny days? And after reading this book, I vowed to never ever again even glance at my phone in the car.
It'a fun read, very informative, and just a little bit frightening sometimes too.
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
This work of fiction is the kind of book that really shouldn't be reviewed. I don't want to tell you anything about it because it will be more fun that way. It's a compelling read with a unique story to tell.
If you like to be surprised, this is a good read for you!
The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz
Drawing on his 25 years as a psychoanalyst, Stephen Grosz shares the stories of his patients over the years. I was completely captivated by this book and its stories. I loved seeing the analyst at work, getting a behind the scenes look at Grosz's process with his patients. I was mostly absorbed with the patients themselves though - all of the feelings, emotions, and neuroses behind their behaviors. I could relate to some, I was astounded by others, but moved by all of them.
This is a deeply human book and an incredible twist on the art of story telling.
To Love What Is: A Marriage Transformed by Alix Kates Shulman
This is a profoundly moving memoir. On a vacation together Shulman's husband falls from their sleeping loft and though he lives, his brain is seriously injured. Shulman's husband is still there, but not really. And yet, Shulman has the grace and patience and love to see it through. For better or for worse, it's a marriage transformed.
This is one that I keep talking about and quoting from even a year later - one of my favorite memoirs.
Around the World in 80 Dinners by Cheryl & Bill Jamison
This is at the top of my summer reading list - it sounds so fun! Cheryl and Bill Jamison pack up and take off for a culinary adventure in 10 countries around the world. I love a good travel book in the summer and I'm always up for a good book about food so this one looks promising!
Open by Andre Agassi
I love a good memoir, and by "good" I mean a memoir that is genuine and meaningful. This book is one of the really good ones. I don't know a thing about tennis and I never followed Agassi's career, but I really couldn't put this book down. Agassi digs deep and though tennis frames his story, it's really about so much more.
Agassi may be a tennis superhero but he hates tennis and always has, and this is only the beginning of his surprising revelations. This book is heart wrenching and inspiring, brave and beautiful. Dig in!
Find more great summer reads in the other 2015 Summer Reading Guide categories: