On Friday, I'll be packing up all of my things and new dress code clothes and heading off for school ... I have lots of mixed emotions. This summer was great, just like always, and I loved being able to relax and spend time with my family and friends. I focused on quality time - being all there, wherever I was.
I went to a lot of places without my phone.
I saw a lot of sunsets and boats and fish.
I got to spend two full months with my favorite people ever.
I got to spend a lot of time relaxing on the beach and reading some good books.
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| my sister took this photo during a storm a few weeks ago and I LOVE it |
Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I don't get to do much (for pleasure) during the school year. If I had to pick my favorite type of book, I'd have to say the cute little love stories that always have a happy ending. Hand me a Nicholas Sparks book and you'll be my best friend.
I also love World War II stories and nonfiction books about mental health, sports performance, self-improvement, and all that good stuff. The more you read the more you know, you know? :)
This summer, I read eight books of all different genres - here are my thoughts on them!
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris
I loved this book. It's based on the true story of a man that was taken to a concentration camp and forced to tattoo numbers onto incoming prisoners. His bravery and willingness to put his life in danger to help others is so admirable and the story was so well-written.
The Salt House
Lisa Duffy
Such an easy and fun read for the beach! It took me two days to finish it because it was so interesting that all I wanted to do was read it. The Salt House is about a family that has lost their young daughter and is trying to adjust to the new normal while the outside world moves on.
Into the Raging Sea
Rachel Slade
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris
I loved this book. It's based on the true story of a man that was taken to a concentration camp and forced to tattoo numbers onto incoming prisoners. His bravery and willingness to put his life in danger to help others is so admirable and the story was so well-written.
The Salt House
Lisa Duffy
Such an easy and fun read for the beach! It took me two days to finish it because it was so interesting that all I wanted to do was read it. The Salt House is about a family that has lost their young daughter and is trying to adjust to the new normal while the outside world moves on.
Into the Raging Sea
Rachel Slade
(For school) Unless you're into shipping/cargo ships/history/life at sea, I can't say this would be the first book I'd recommend to you. I really liked the story and found it interesting to discover the flaws of the crew that made the ship sink, but it was 350 pages, which I found to be a little too long to keep my attention.
We Were the Lucky Ones
Georgia Hunter
This is one of those books that makes you stop and appreciate just how amazing your life really is and reminds you that all of the problems you will face are so, so small. It tells the stories of children and their parents during World War II and where they escape to in search of safety. My mom read it and said it was one of the best books she's ever read... it's definitely in my top 10, too.
(For school) This was much more interesting than Into the Raging Sea. While I'd never pick this up and read it on my own, I did find it interesting. It explains how true dilemmas put two "right" values against each other and that's why it can be so hard to come up with a solution. This book provides examples of situations that really make you think (What would I do if this was my life?) and, though it is dry in some patches, is okay in my book (haha get it?!)! I think it's something everyone should read, even if you skip a few parts!
#GirlBoss
Sophia Amoruso
Such a good book for all those hustlers out there looking for good tips on how to start a business, be a good employee, or just learn the more about how they can make their life a little bit better. GO READ IT, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
Mind Gym
Gary Mack
LOVE!! EVERY athlete should read this. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. It's so crazy what your mind is capable of and I don't think you'll fully understand it until you read this. Anyone with low self-esteem, self-doubt, or fear that you're "just not good enough" - this is for you, too!
The Woman in the Window
A. J. Finn
Let's put it this way - it's 427 pages and I finished it in ONE day. I couldn't put it down. It was so addicting and thrilling and scary that I knew I couldn't go to bed without knowing what happened. The Woman in the Window is about an alcoholic woman with agoraphobia that spies on her neighbors and thinks she witnesses something bad happen. I could go on and on... it's SO good!!!
I hope that this post gives you a few ideas about what to read next + let me know in the comments of a book you recently read and loved!
stay on the sunny side,
MEG
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