Dina & DJ Blake

My favorite summer reads!

We were on the road a LOT this summer. I have been a huge bookworm my entire life. It can be hard to get through a book when mom/work/life responsibilities get in the way.

All the extra time in cars and hotel rooms provided me the perfect opportunity to dive into so many books and actually get to finish them, too!

I discovered a new favorite author, Beatriz Williams. I read A Hundred Summers and Tiny Little Thing. Three of her novels are actually connected by a thread of sisters and their relatives in different eras. it’s really interesting. A Hundred Summers takes place in an East Coast beach community in the 1920’s. Tiny Little Thing is set in the 50’s and involves a political, wealthy family. I enjoyed A Hundred Summers just a little bit more than Tiny Little Thing, but they are both quick reads.

Samantha Bee is the author of I know I am, but what are you? You might recognize her from her days on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. She is a woman of many talents! Writer, producer, TV Host, political commentator, comedian…Above all, she is candid and hilarious. She has such a relatable, self deprecating sense of humor. The whole time I was reading this in the car I was getting side eye from the hubs. I would just start chuckling/laugh-snorting out of nowhere. It’s hard to find books that make you laugh so hard you cry, but Samantha’s stories, especially the painfully awkward stories about growing, up do just that.

Truth Be Told is a memoir by Lucinda Bassett. She reached her peak of fame in the 90’s for self help books on overcoming stress and anxiety. You would NEVER guess the horrible things she had to overcome in her youth, AND her adult life, to get where she is today. Her story is really incredible.

Now that the kids are back in school, I’m going to continue making time for my stack of summer reading! (It’s still technically summer, isn’t it?!)

I’m currently reading Winter People, by Jennifer McMahon. One word:Terrifying!

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The book goes back and forth between present day, and a woman’s diary from the early 1900’s (she was murdered and the mystery never solved)

Not since Stephen King have I read a book that scares me like this does. In fact, I’m less than halfway through it, but it reminds me a little of Pet Cemetery. She has an absolute gift for sucking you in and totally creeping you out! I learned last night NOT to read this book right before I fall asleep. I might be a big baby, but I think this is an “on the couch with all the lights on” read for me. Halloween is just around the corner, and I think I’ve found a new fav author for fall 😉

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