*Not* Required Reading

book inc Peer Artist Leader Jennifer Gaites won't tell you what to read this summer, but she'll gladly tell you what's in her beach bag.

No matter how long I’ve been out of school, this time of year has a kind of muscle memory for optimism. The days are longer, the light shines brighter, the feeling of possibility stretches out before us. Remember being in school mid-June? Counting down until summer break, imagining an uninterrupted string of free days and zero schoolwork?

Then, somewhere during the last days of school, teachers would hand out a summer reading list (before the internet, of course).

I usually received this list with dread. The required reading selection always felt a little dismal–books I’d have never picked up by choice. Animal Farm, A Separate Peace, 1984, The Sound and the Fury. To be fair, I didn’t hate all of them. But I never went into the reading with much enthusiasm. I bristled at books being chosen for me, and waited until the end of August to start (then immediately regretted that choice).

Fast forward a few decades and, to be honest, I still don’t love being told what to read. However, now, when I hear the words "summer reading," I think of one of the great joys of the season—choosing books to bring on vacation, to the pool, or into the backyard on warm nights. For me, summer reading selections meet a specific mix of needs: good writing, a compelling story, well-developed characters. I want strong forward movement. A page-turner. A little romance is a bonus.

And this year, browsing the shelves at my local bookstore, there is no shortage of books I am excited to pick up. There are a few titles that I am ridiculously psyched about—authors that I’ve loved in the past with new books out. There are a few that I keep hearing about and am eager to read. And a few that I’ve already read, loved, and recommend.

Here’s the deal: I won’t tell you what to read if you don’t tell me, because nothing kills a summer vibe faster than an obligatory assignment. But, with the giddiness of a kid about to start summer vacation, I will gladly tell you what I hope to read this summer (or recommend).

If you read and loved The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (which I hope you did), then try:

• Buckeye by Patrick Ryan: beautiful, intricate, juicy story that spans several generations.

• Things We Never Say is Elizabeth Strout at the top of her game; I’d love a poolside discussion about this book. Seriously, if you see me, come sit down so we can discuss.

• And if you liked any of these, try Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. It’s not new, but it was recommended to me years ago by a friend, and I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love it.

Authors I’ve loved in the past who have new books out:

• Land: I gasped when I saw that Maggie O’Farrell has a new book out. Cannot wait.

• I also gasped when I saw Go Gentle by Maria Semple, because Where’d You Go, Bernadette is one of my faves.

• Did you like the funny and charming (and Pulitzer-winning!) Less? Andrew Sean Greer’s new book Villa Coco looks perfect for a summer getaway.

New-to-me books or authors that I’m excited to dive into:

• Canon by Paige Lewis is not my normal kind of read, but if John Green recommends it, I’m in. A few years ago, he recommended Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (another that I wouldn’t have picked up on my own) and, oof, it was spectacular.

• I recently attended an author talk with Courtney Maum, and if her new book, Alan Opts Out, is as charming and funny as she is, it’s going to be a perfect summer read.

• Take What You Can by Naima Coster: a story of long-term friendship? Yessss. Wholeheartedly in.

• Can you imagine a more perfect summer reading book cover than this one? Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi looks beautiful (Yes, I judge books by their cover. You do too.) and it sounds delicious.

What I want to listen to:

• Summer is a great time for long walks, and what better walking partner than David Sedaris? His new book, The Land and Its People, is definitely on my must-listen list. I love his voice on the page and in real-life.

How about you? What’s on your summer reading list?

About the Author

Jennifer Gallo Gaites is a writing instructor at Project Write Now, a nonprofit writing organization. She is working on a novel and writes essays about identity and motherhood. Her work has been published in Riverteeth’s “Beautiful Things,” WOW Women on Writing, Hippocampus, and Literary Mama. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s either asking her college-aged kids too many questions or trying to understand her middle-schooler’s obsession with YouTube.

About book inc

book inc is a writing collective dedicated to helping writers draft, revise, and publish memoirs and novels. Our book incubators and revision workshops help writers realize their artistic and commercial potential.