What I read this Summer

And also why I'm only sharing books I'd recommend

One of my favorite things on the internet is book lists and reviews. I hope to occasionally incorporate them into my newsletters or as separate posts like this one. Reviews will only be of books that I recommend for a few reasons — first, I usually don’t finish a book that I’m not into (if I don’t complete a book, I won't review it). Second, I know when you choose to write, you’re putting yourself out there to be critiqued, but I can’t bring myself to give a negative public review. That said, you’ll mostly only see my 4 and 5-star recommendations here.

Now for some reviews! This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few of my favorites from the summer:

Taste by Stanley Tucci - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of my favorite books so far this year! I loved listening to Stanley Tucci’s description of growing up in an Italian-American family, his name-dropping, and the descriptions of the dishes he described. I didn’t want this one to end, and I’ve felt a new inspiration to find joy in the kitchen — especially when pasta, cheese, and red wine are involved!

Still Life by Louise Penny- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The best way I can describe this series is: Sherlock Holmes meets Stars Hollow? Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series has been on my “to read” list for years, and I finally read the first installment last May. I read two more over the summer, and they keep getting better. Luckily, I have 15 more of these treasures and hopefully more on the way. These are a great choice if you’re looking for something light and fun.

Invitation to Solitude and Silence By Ruth Haley Barton - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m slowly reading Ruth Haley Barton’s Sacred Rhythms but wanted to dig deeper into the spiritual practice of silence and solitude (a practice I need to be reminded of repeatedly). Barton’s honest telling of her own experiences with is encouraging and practical. If you’re interested in incorporating a solitude practice, this is a great place to start!

Abuelita Faith by Kat Armas - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kat Armas weaves together stories from her family and those of little-known (or talked about) women in the bible. Her writing is beautiful and smart, and her message is crucial. It challenged me to consider the overlooked women in my own life, as theologians, asking the important question of “why not them”? She writes: “What if the world’s greatest theologians are those whom the world wouldn’t consider theologians at all.”

Hello Molly by Molly Shannon - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of my favorite genres (if this is even a genre) is celebrity memoir, and Molly Shannon’s does not disappoint! I loved her honest storytelling from childhood and hilarious recounts from her days on SNL. I honestly wasn’t familiar with Shannon other than a few of her SNL characters, like Mary Catherine Gallagher, but it didn’t matter; I loved every minute of it. For an extra treat, go for the audiobook, read by the author.

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My kids always try to get me to read what they are reading, and I rarely do. I love when we read aloud together, but usually, I can’t bring myself to spend time reading their books when I could be reading my own! All that to say, I finally read one of my oldest son’s favorites. This is the first book from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. It’s no Harry Potter, but I enjoyed it and loved sharing in the fun with him. (The movies are seriously lacking, but I was thrilled to see Stanley Tucci play a small part since I was listening to Taste around the same time! And yes, I heard that Disney has some new adaptations in the works!)

What about you? What were your favorite reads this summer?