The Best Books To Read This Summer

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I can’t believe it is 8 months since my last book post?  I am so thankful of a good book. To be able to curl up with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and just immerse myself in a different world just for a little while.

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I have read a real mixed bag of books so far this year, all of them great for a different reason.

But have most definitely read at a slower rate than usual, I put that down to being so mega busy.

The best books to read 2018

But anyhow I am waffling, here is my list of the best books to read this summer

The Runaway Wife by Dee MacDonald

Connie’s whole family totally rely on her. But not for fun days out and chats over a glass of wine. For everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, providing childcare, and being a shoulder to cry on.

She realises that she has lost herself and has spiralled into a soulless support system for others. And her husband Roger hardly notices her existence and spends all of his hours at the golf course.

One day she packs her bag and sets off on an adventure. With not much of an idea where she is going, only with the plan of rediscovering whom she really is? And as she travels from England to Scotland she encounters many an adventure. She also picks up many new friends along the way, undecided where her adventure will take her, and if she will ultimately return home.

I adored Connie and her courage to change her life. This book made me smile the whole way through, I love how if you open your mind you can find friends in so many unexpected places.

The Runaway Wife: A laugh out loud feel good novel about second chances

How To Be Happy by Eva Woods is one of the best books to read this summer if you love thought provoking reads

It is the loveliest but saddest book I have ever read, you know sometimes a book gets your heart, How To Be Happy did just that.

Annie has lived engulfed in sadness for so long after the loss of her child and break up of her marriage, that she has forgotten to be any other way. Until she meets Polly, who by contrast has everything to live for and wants to live every day to the fullest.

Polly convinces are reluctant Annie that she can make her happy in a 100 days. Annie despite thinking Polly is mad agrees. What Annie does not realise is WHY Polly wants to achieve this in 100 days.

The characters were so engaging. The more you get to know them the more you love them. You go through the book hoping for a miracle but know it isn’t likely; all the while Polly is creating the smallest of miracles and changing the lives of people she loves for the better.

How to be Happy: The unmissable, uplifting Kindle bestseller

Legendary by Stephanie Garber is one of the best books to read this summer if you love fantasy 

The sequel to Caraval and OMG I loved Legenday even more. Which I honestly didn’t think was possible. These books offer total escapism from reality into a world of mystery and magic that has you not wanting to put the book down.

After Scarlet’s Caraval victory, and escaping their father and an arranged marriage, Scarlet and Donatella are finally free. Or so Scarlet thinks, however Tella has made a deadly deal with a criminal that draws them back into the Caraval. This time the game is more dangerous and the stakes are higher.

Tella must discover and deliver Legends identity to an unknown criminal who is holding the trump card on her life and those whom she loves. She is faced with a choice, find and reveal who Legend really is and save lives of herself and those she loves, which will ultimately destroy Caraval. Or follow her heart and save Caraval, taking the risk that love will conquer all.

OMG this is my favourite book this year; I could not put it down. I have no idea what path I would have taken had I been Tella.  And arghhh the ending! Now, I have to wait until next year and the third book to find out what happens.

Legendary: The magical Sunday Times bestselling sequel to Caraval

My Big Greek Summer by Sue Roberts.

It’s the perfect holiday read. One of those books that’s not to heavy and just makes you smile its a great holiday read.

Mandy is left devastated when the love of her life, her childhood sweetheart up and leaves her. She had become comfortable, thought they would be together forever. But here she was broken hearted with only her job to save her.

On a whim, Mandy books a flight to a Greek Island she visited as a child to find herself again. She arrives to find the recession and introduction of super resorts have not been kind to the pretty little Island.  But determined to find her spark again, she embraced Greek life, blue seas, golden beaches, delicious cocktails and sunshine.

Mandy soon realises she can find love again, as she fall head over heels in love with Greece and its people. And sets too helping the locals rejuvenate this pretty piece of Greek paradise.

This is the perfect holiday read, such a lovely book that kept me hooked till the end, rooting for Mandy, her plans and her life.

My Big Greek Summer: A feel good funny romantic comedy about second chances!

Books to read in 2018

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

It took me so long to get into this book, despite people selling me to keep going I found the beginning hard going. Likening Eleanor to an ever so sad version of Bridget Jones.

However as promised I feel in love with her. Smiling at her comments and the way she says what everybody else thinks. I particularly loved the part when she had the makeover in the department store! Despite my initial thought she was not at all what I judged her to be, ok I can be forgiven for this. The drinking 2 bottles of vodka a week was more a sign she was trying to forget something rather than a 30 something who has give up on life. Convincing the world she is fine, that all is good with her is something she does spectacularly.

But she starts to change, to trust people and slowly, bit-by-bit we discover the story behind Eleanor who built her life around a survival mode. Who is braver than any of us can ever imagine.  And the more her life and friendships start to evolve the more she can accept herself and start to build a real life. It’s a sad read, I felt sick that people can be treated like this. The book leaves you feeling a sense of pride for Eleanor and her bravery to make those changes.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine: Debut Sunday Times Bestseller and Costa First Novel Book Award winner

I hope that list of the best books to read this summer is enough to keep you going through the summer months?

And if not check out my last book post of great reads for 2018.

And check out Penny and Becky’s amazing new book Create Your Own Happy, it’s a genius book aimed at empowering children to shape their lives, and the lives of others around them.

 

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