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It’s officially summer! Who’s excited for beach reads on the river and library summer reading programs? Count my kiddos in. They saw the door o’ prizes pictures at the library and are beyond excited about winning a Kindle Fire or a slime kit or (oh, please no) a karaoke microphone. I was amazed at how many awesome prizes they have for older kids, too: remote control cars, artist kits, wireless earphones and speakers! It’s all so exciting, which gets them even more eager to read, and it’s free, which is a win-win for all.

I slacked off in my reading this last month; I attended Haven Writing Retreat, and it sent me on a writing binge that essentially eliminated my reading time. Still, I managed to read eleven books, of which eight were four stars or better. Here they are, in no particular order:

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub is a medium-paced contemporary novel that’s reflective, emotional, and ultimately, hopeful (the perfect mix). It’s about a woman who realizes it’s not always about the little choices we make in life but about the people we surround ourselves with. I almost didn’t read it because it has a slight sci-fi twist, but I’m so glad I did. A fantastic summer read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a medium-paced novel that’s hopeful and emotional and a tad bit mysterious, although I wouldn’t call it a mystery as such. It’s about a woman and an octopus and how they love and help one another. It’s simply charming and would be a great summer read.

Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman is a very short nonfiction book made from the speech Gaiman made to a graduating class in 2012. It’s wonderfully inspiring and would make a lovely graduation gift for the burgeoning artist in your life. You can also Google the lecture as it’s worth the roughly twenty minutes it takes to watch/listen to.

Make Your Creative Dreams Real by S.A.R.K. is a nonfiction, medium-paced book about how to make your dreams your focus despite all that life throws your way. Colorful and inspiring, this would also make a lovely graduation gift.

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is by Laura Munson is a medium-paced memoir about a woman who learns that ultimately we can only control ourselves, that maintaining our own inner peace is the ultimate goal. As a woman who struggles with this very thing, I loved it.

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard is a nonfiction memoir/essay collection about writing. It’s medium-paced and inspiring and one of the least how-to type of how-to books I’ve ever read. Almost like a prose poem about what it’s like to be a writer. I absolutely loved it.

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody is a nonfiction reference book for writers interested in structuring their novel for success. It is a fascinating, medium-paced book, and an information-dense read. Highly recommended if you’re considering writing a novel or know someone who is.

Opening Up to Indie Authors by Debbie Young is a nonfiction business book about getting bookstores, libraries and the world to receive and accept independently published books the way professionally published books are. Perhaps you’ve noticed the trend in more recent years of independent books being just as well cultivated as professional ones and how many of them are picked up by the bigger publishers and get turned into streaming series or movies, etc. It’s an interesting take as someone who is leery of most DIY, but also hopeful for artists of all kinds to get a little of their own back.

Some of what I’m currently reading:

-Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir (for Elks Book Club)

-The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith (with my kiddos)

-This is Happiness by Niall Williams (LOVEing this so far)

-Willa’s Grove by Laura Munson

-Tangerine by Christine Mangan

Some of the books I hope to read this summer:

-The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

-Finding Me by Viola Davis

-The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

-The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

-Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

-The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel

Hope you all have your summer reading stack ready and that everything you read brings you joy. As always, I love hearing Whatcha Readin’ so please drop me a line.

Sunday Dutro is an avid reader and eBook convert living in Thompson Falls with her beautiful family and an enormous “to be read” pile. Reach her at [email protected] or sundaydutro.com.