When I was asked to write this post, I have to admit I did a little happy dance at my desk. Combine the cystic fibrosis community and books -- two of my favorite things? Yes, please! And this list was born: five summer reads I can vouch for myself.
The Assistants by Camille Perri
When a group of executive assistants at a media company come up with a get-rich-quick scheme to pay off their student loans, things spiral out of control -- fast, and with an outcome they never anticipated. Perri's debut novel (and recently released in paperback) is the perfect summer read: fast-paced, addictive, and fun. I devoured it in two days, a feat for me, and I am urging everyone to add it to their TBR (to-be-read) list. It's the perfect book for your beach bag, to pass the time while in the hospital, or to just make you feel good.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Set in the 1970s, Everything I Never Told You follows the Lees, a Chinese-American family living in a small Ohio town. When tragedy strikes, secrets are revealed, throwing each of them into chaos. Trust me, the less you know, the better. This was one of my favorite books of 2015. Fans of contemporary family dramas will be hooked from the first page. (Psst, her upcoming book, Little Fires Everywhere, comes out in September and sounds every bit as gripping.)
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Whether you're going on vacation or not, The Vacationers is the perfect read for summer. The Posts are off to Mallorca in celebration of their 35th wedding anniversary and their daughter's high school graduation. When they decide to bring along family friends, they don't realize they're also bringing along a whole lot of drama. This story will have you laughing, rolling your eyes, and feeling all the feels.
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
At just 63 pages, Dear Ijeawele, a letter Adichie penned to her friend on how to raise a feminist daughter, packs a punch. In her 15 Suggestions, Adichie, known for Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, includes gems such as, “Your feminist premise should be: I matter. I matter equally. Not 'if only.' Not 'as long as.' I matter equally. Full stop.” Known for her ability to approach controversial subjects with grace and honesty, this short book should be on everyone's list. (New parent in your life? This is the perfect gift.)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I'll admit -- I'm not a huge science fiction reader. So when a friend suggested I read Ready Player One, my first instinct was to smile politely and move on. But in the interest of stepping outside of my comfort zone, I decided to give it a go -- and I'm glad I did. Cline's novel takes place in 2044, where our world looks much different thanks to a global energy crisis. As an escape from their dystopian society, people turn to OASIS, a virtual reality simulator. We follow Wade Watts on his adventures to find an Easter egg hidden inside this game. If sci-fi isn't your thing, I recommend you give it a try anyway (and if you do, let me know what you think!).
Want to see what else I'm reading? Follow me on Instagram at @kathareads.
