The RV Life and a Good Book
Those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer memorialized in songs throughout the decade are the perfect time to relax, chill in the shade and read a book. Everyone has their own definition of what make a “good” summer read. It could be a mystery or thriller, a romance, or as Lin Manuel Miranda did one summer – an 800 page biography about Alexander Hamilton.
Finding that perfect spot on a beach, relaxing under the awning at the RV campground, turning pages on the picnic table at a park, or even reading wherever while the sun wanes as afternoon turns into evening can be a stress-free way to enjoy where you are at. No pressure to make the ferry or check off another local attraction. Just time to let your mind drift into the pages and let words on a page give you a new perspective.
With today’s technology, reading is a much easier task outdoors than it used to be. Tablets and computers eliminate the struggle with windy days, and the headache that comes with reading words from a printed page in the sun. Traditional books, however, still have their place – and for some people always will. Books are portable, do not need to have batteries charged or access to Wi-Fi. Whatever your preferred choice of reading medium is, finding a title, subject, and genre that interests you is always the first and only priority.
A summer book should spark your interest. It should be easy to read. It shouldn’t require a lot of effort to get through the pages. If it takes too much effort to read, it doesn’t meet the definition of a summer read. It could also be a book you’ve been wanting to read but haven’t had the time.
According to the experts, there are trends that are evident this year, based on the experiences of 2020. For example, the horror genre experienced popularity while people were isolated as the Corona Virus raged. Books involving murder were also popular last year and continue into this summer’s reading lists. Thrillers are a perennial favorite, too.
Here are some suggestions from online book sources about some of the new book choices:
- ‘Malibu Rising’ is the latest book by bestselling author by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book follows one night in the Rivas family and the events that transpire from an end-of-summer party that results in familial upheaval and a burned-out mansion.
- 'House of Sticks' by Ly Tran is a memoir that describes the author’s family’s journey from Vietnam to Queens when she was a child. The author’s family faced economic hardships and she herself weathered the challenges of fitting in at school and dealing with her father’s changing personality.
- ‘One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is a thriller with a paranormal twist. A 23-year-old new arrival to New York City meets a mysterious girl who has been stranded on the subway for decades. This author is known for her mastery of romantic comedies and use of humor.
- 'Somebody’s Daughter' by Ashley C. Ford is another memoir that explores the author’s self0described “complicated” relationship with her mother and a father who is serving a jail sentence. The author’s quest for love leads to personal struggles and revelations about the circumstances that led to her father’s imprisonment.
- 'The Other Black Girl' by Zakiya Dalila Harris is a mystery novel in which the main character, Nella Rogers, searches for answers into who is leaving cryptic messages at her desk in the fictional Wagner Books publishing house and why this is happening.
- ‘The Maidens’ is a murder mystery by Alex Michaelides in which a therapist turned detective tries to solve the murder of a member of a secret women’s society at Cambridge University. Her efforts soon become obsession.
- ‘Survive the Night’ by Riley Sager is the latest thriller by this author. A college student who is seeking a ride home from campus meets up with someone whom she begins to suspect may be the “Campus Killer” and the person responsible for the murder of her best friend.
- We Are What We Eat: A Slow Food Manifesto is an analysis of the farm-to-table movement by renowned chef Alice Waters. This non-fiction book delves into fast food and how that has impacted food habits for many.
- The Cult of We: We Work is the true tale of a Silicon Valley startup’s journey from implementation to implosion as told by reporters Eliot Brown and Maureen Farrell. It is an investigation piece with a note of caution for others about the perils of web-based start-ups.
- A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson has been called both hilarious and heartwarming. This memoir chronicles Bryson’s adventures while hiking the Appalachian Trail.
- Touching the Void is the true story by Joe Simpson that talks about his terrifying ordeal after falling off an ice ledge in the Andes and the emotional turmoil felt by his climbing partner who had to make the decision to cut the rope tethering the two. It is a story that is filled with the will to survive and the indisputable bonds of friendship.
While these are only suggestions from readers and reviewers, there is a plethora of books titles to choose from. You can even reread some of the classics you may have been forced to read in high school. Who knows? Your perspectives may have changed, and you might find yourself swept up by these well-read classics, such as The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Call of the Wild, among others.
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