What makes the perfect summer read? Equal parts entertaining and easy to digest. If you subscribe to Nell's newsletter, you already know our founder's adoration for the written word. The 12 (count them!) books she read this summer were chronicled on her Instagram account throughout the season.
The thing about books: unlike that favorite gingham one-piece you lived in all summer, they are not seasonal. Here are some books Nell loved this Summer that you can love this Fall.
THE FARM by Joanne Ramos
This was my favorite book I’ve read this summer. It’s about a commercial surrogacy “farm” in upstate New York. I cannot express how much I enjoyed it so I’m only giving it a one-sentence review. Full New York Times review here.
THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah
If you follow me on Instagram you know that I obsess over disaster preparedness. This book is fiction, but it has major survivalist vibes. It’s about a family that moves to Alaska to live “off the grid.” This is my Mom’s favorite book this summer!
MISTRESS OF THE RITZ by Melanie Benjamin
This is a fab historical fiction novel set in WW2 Paris. The protagonist is American Blanche Ross, who is married to the French manager of the famed Ritz Hotel. When the Nazis occupy France and take over the Ritz, Blanche secretly joins the French Resistance, all while continuing to wine and dine Nazi officers (and recognizable names like Coco Chanel) in the hotel’s Bar Hemingway.
NORWEIGAN BY NIGHT by Derek Miller
This is my husband Teddy’s favorite of the summer! It’s about an Octogenarian New Yorker (Sheldon) who moves to Oslo with his granddaughter and her Norweigan husband, and stumbles into a crazy crime.
VINEGAR GIRL by Anne Tyler
Just like the iconic movie “10 Things I Hate About You,” this book is based on Shakespeare’s “The Taming of The Shrew.” The “shrew” in this case is protagonist Kate, who takes care of her absent-minded Scientist father and beautiful younger sister. Kate’s father attempts to set her up with his research assistant, Pyotr, who is about to be deported, and… **craziness ensues** I thought it was really cute and fun. Also, I love a modern re-telling – my favorite, of course, is “Clueless,” which is based on Jane Austen’s “Emma.”
THE PAPER WASP by Lauren Acampora
The premise of this book feels similar to the movie, “Ingrid goes West.” Protagonist Abby is obsessed with her childhood best friend, Elise, who is now a famous movie star in California. Abby still lives in their Michigan hometown, and scrapbooks pictures of Elise in her spare time. After reconnecting at a reunion, Abby follows Elise to Hollywood and the dynamic gets a little crazy from there.
TRICK MIRROR by Jia Tolentino
I loved this book of essays by Jia Tolentino. Cultural commentary, personal narratives, lots to make you think. Don't miss it.