The desire to become a reader and member of the #Bookstagram community hits annually about June. You may remember my short-stint of summer reading in 2021 (before moving downtown and having a lot more to do). I enjoyed it for the most part, but I was bored of love stories, meet-cutes, and other romance-driven storylines. Sigh. We get it. I found myself giving an eyeroll to fictional characters I met along the way.
But then 2022 happened. In an attempt to stop doom scrolling, I returned to reading. I’m not really into any new TV, summer entertainment is notoriously terrible (I hate reality love shows which is apparently the only summer TV genre.) and I had to find something to stop myself from being online and taking in the world’s problems, find myself in a spiral downward and then expected to peacefully get 9 hours of rest after looking at the little screen of doom.
My colleague is a voracious reader, frequently posting her latest book(s). I reached out to her for suggestions. She turned me onto mystery/suspense/thrillers to my absolute delight. “Oh yeah… I forgot there are other types of books than romance ones.” I went online and reserved as many of her recommendations as I could, thus kicking off the summer 2022 reading season. They did not disappoint. I incurred my first summer sunburn because I was trying to finish An Anonymous Girl in one afternoon. Worth it.
Summer Reading List Favorites
I think it’s obvious, but all of these are mystery or psychological thriller books. If you want romance, I got nothing.
Now, whatever time typically spent watching TV or scrolling before bed is now reading for 30 minutes (or a late night binge if it’s a Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen book). Although I am still having to actively remember not to doom scroll, it’s been better! I’m not alone in this either. I chatted with an online friend who said she also had picked up reading because it offers a reprieve from the oppressing weight of the current news cycle.
And one more note about reading it’s free if you’re through your local library. I cannot say enough great things about being able to check out a book and be taken back to that childhood joy of walking through the library doors and wondering what awaits. (They really need to bring back summer reading programs, but for adults, right?) Now I’m less inclined to aimlessly wander, I’m there to pick up my holds, but it’s so cute to see others getting to experience that joy I felt.
P.S. I am taking recommendations! If you have a favorite author or book you think I’d like, you can comment or send me a DM!
P.P.S. If you’re in Chicago and have a book club and are accepting new members, I’m interested!
Mary
Yes to reading thrillers and suspense in the summer! I’m not sure I’d survive without my library seeing as books aren’t anywhere near being cheap.