I know I’m not alone when I say I am having a hard time concentrating on my reading lately. Some people are able to dive right into their reading worlds and escape during times of stress. But for me, I find myself needing to force my mind to stay focused, my attention ultimately drifts, I get lost, I get frustrated with the read, and eventually enter the dreaded reading slump.
2020 is a bastard of a year, but I find myself in this position from time to time on a good year. So I thought I would pass along some of my best suggestions for excellent reads that don’t require a lot of attention and are easy to escape into.
I’ve also attached my Summer Reading playlist because it is so calming, peaceful, and can help distract and ease an anxious mind.
Daisy Jones & the Six
Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published by Ballantine Books
Not only does Taylor Jenkins Reid have such an incredible way with words and sentence structure that easily flows for the reader, but she writes with a subtle, pulsing intensity that has you compulsively turning the pages to read what happens next. Of her great catalogue I picked Daisy Jones for this list because it has all the wonderful aspects of a TJR book, but the short, quick chapters make this a fast and easy read. (I’m told it is also an amazing cast audiobook.)
Full review HERE.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Flatshare
Written by Beth O’Leary
Published by Flatiron Books
A charming rom-com filled with heart, delightful compelling characters, that is grounded in believable realties. I did struggle with one small aspect of the book, that you can see in the review, but it definitely doesn’t take away from the whole and for most people it will be no big deal. Ultimately this is intelligent romance at it’s finest and a great pick for someone looking for a light romance.
Full review HERE.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Written by TJ Klune
Published by Tor Books
This gentle, charming, sweet, heart touching and inclusive little story is the feel good book with incredible depth that you need in 2020. A guaranteed mood booster, this is the one story on the list that I know will be a cure for a bad day or reading slump or difficult time. It’s just a gem and the characters will steal your heart.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
My Lady Jane
Written by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Published by HarperTeen
If you want to laugh out loud (and why not, it’s not like you can go anywhere in public and be embarrassed by this!) then pick up this awesome YA. Packed with humour, witty banter, romance, castles, talking horses, and an incredible likeable heroine – you’ll be churning through the pages in record time.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Written by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
Published by Dial Press
In a similar style to Daisy Jones & the Six, this touching story is told through a correspondence of letters. Centring around Europe at the very end of WWII, this may seem a heavy topic but don’t be dismayed. This story is ultimately full of beloved, eccentric characters, humour, and so much warmth and heart. A book for lovers of books and historical romances – this is one of my all time favourite reads.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Writers & Lovers
Written by Lily King
Published by Grove Press
This novel took me completely by surprise this year, specifically Lily King’s stripped down writing and sentence structure which at first I found a bit off-putting but quickly became compulsively readable. This is such a smart book, with an incredibly real & flawed main character that I know many people can relate to some part of her journey to becoming an “adult”. A great introspection to the writing process and the life of a creator, this story discusses grief, relationships, friendships, creative spirit and ultimately hope, confidence, and self resiliency. One of my favourites of 2020.
Full review HERE.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
The Sugar Queen
Written by Sarah Addison Allen
Published by Bantam
I don’t think there is a list I’ve made that doesn’t include a Sarah Addison Allen novel. She simply has a way of combining my personal favourite literary elements of magic, romance, smart generations of women, with southern charm and food. I am hard pressed to pick a favourite, as Garden Spells or The Girl Who Chased the Moon would also be excellent for this list, but The Sugar Queen is the literary combination of chocolates & romance novels … literarily. This is our main character’s ultimate hobby, until she finds an unexpected visitor in her reading spot!
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Bringing Down the Duke
Written by Evie Dunmore
Published by Berkley Books
If you want regency romance, and I mean steamy romance, then this will the book for you. Romance novels are my go to when I’m in a reading slump or cannot concentrate. I especially enjoy a romance that can ground itself in realities, and in this case centring around women’s suffrage and women’s struggles to enter Oxford and higher education. If you like arrogant Mr. Darcy types and witty, stubborn leading ladies – you’ll love this pairing.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
A Curse So Dark and Lonely
Written by Brigid Kemmerer
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing
I had to include this Beauty and the Beast YA retelling because it is simply one of my favourite YA reads! It isn’t necessarily “deep” or “profound” but it is so much fun to read and I flew through this book! Harper, our main character, is one of the most likeable, strong YA heroines I’ve read, the supporting characters are so well developed, and the retelling breathes new life into a very classic (and maybe overdone!) story.
Full review HERE.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Suitors and Sabotage
Written by Cindy Anstey
Published by Square Fish
I guess there is just something about a good a regency romance to distract and take your cares away – which is why I have two on this list. But where Bringing Down the Duke is steamy and takes on real historical issues – Suitors and Sabotage is a combination of a sweet, light romance, humour, and a whodunnit mystery. There is enough brevity and depth to the characters to prevent the saccharine and ridiculous. Just an all around plunky, fun read full of misadventure & mishap humour.
You can find it here: Bookshop.org
Playlist:
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