When I was younger I loved reading. I mean, I still do, but as I got older and streaming became more readily available, I realized I stopped reading. I got into a bad habit where I would come home from work and immediately turn on the television and stay glued on the screen until my eyes were literally burning from being tired. You read about how you should shut off all technology and try to read a half hour to an hour before bed and the idea seems doable. Then 10 o’clock rolls around and you tell yourself just one more episode.

To get out of this habit I decided to get back into reading, but I mean really get back into it. I knew I wasn’t able to keep myself accountable so, I contacted every female I know and asked if they would be interested in joining a book club. I got a lot of, “Bitch! I don’t read!”, and to be honest, I felt that in my core. Fortunately, a few liked the idea and thus began my book club.

I’ve had wonderful ladies helping me keep me accountable for about 4 years now and although we have lost a few along the way, we have also gained and I just want to keep it going. Which is why I want to make myself accountable to the internet. In this generation of cancel culture, I’m fully putting myself out there and want you to join and read along too.

Every month, I will review a couple books that I have read in the last month, along with the book club book, and give you my honest review. Does that sound fair?

I am starting with a few of my recommendations for 2021 summer readings. I have a standard level of rating: 1-5 stars and sometimes I may throw in another fun rating to spice things up…literally 😉

Okay, let’s get started:

1. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Okay, so this definitely is a beach read. It’s light and fun. It’s about two best friends who have known each other since college and take a yearly vacation trip together. Poppy is a travel writer in New York who loves adventure. Alex is a teacher who still lives in his home town and prefers to stay at home reading a book. After an ill-fated trip a couple years ago, these two had a falling out, but Poppy decides that one more trip may just fix their friendship. Do yourself a favor and read this.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4/5 rating)

2. “Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid (July book club book)

I have to start off by saying that Taylor Jenkins Reid (TJR) is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. If the name sounds familiar, but you can’t quite pin point why, let me jog your memory. She’s written Daisy Jones & the Six (one of my all-time favorites) and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – more on this later. So, when I saw she had a book coming this June, I was all in. Malibu Rising is about a somewhat famous family from Malibu, the Rivas: Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. They throw an epic party every summer, but this one definitely takes the cake. In classic TJR style, the book also follows the Rivas’ parents story from the 50s. She loves giving us flashbacks. Another cool thing about this book is that it connects with Evelyn Hugo! Easter eggs people! I won’t give too much away, but if you haven’t read the aforementioned books, stop what you’re doing and read them IMMEDIATELY.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5 (4.5/5 rating)

3. “You had me at Hola: A Novel” by Alexis Daria

This book came out last August and it may not necessarily be considered a summer read, but I read it on a beach and it just felt right. The novel follows a young, Latina actress, Jasmine Rodriguez, who is going through dramatic changes in her life.  A public break up and becoming a lead on an up and coming series. She is cast along with a sexy, Latino telenovela actor, Ashton Suarez, who has some secrets he’s hiding from the media. They have a rocky start, but you can’t deny their steamy chemistry. That’s all I’m going to say before I get carried away. As I’ve mentioned, this is meant to be a light and fun read, very cheesy, gives off Jane the Virgin vibes and I’m all for it!

⭐⭐⭐.5/5 (3.5 rating)

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (4/5 spicy rating)

Well there you have it. Please read these and tell me what you think and if you haven’t please do!

If you have any book suggestions please comment here or on Instagram, send a DM, a pigeon carrier, anything.

See you next month!

Greysi