By Robyn Clanton

Summer is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year. From the longer days, dinners on the patio, to the morning walks, I’m a fan of it all (except for the ridiculously high humidity and heat days, but I even forgive those, typically ?).

With the slower pace of summer comes one of my other favorite traditions: summer reading. I’m not sure when the trend of “summer reading” began, but I’ve always been a fan. While I confess to being an avid reader year-round, I love nothing more than the idea and experience of reading poolside or comfortably in the shade. In this spirit, I’m taking the opportunity to focus our conversation around book recommendations by sharing a few of my own favorite recent and all-time favorite reads, as well as inviting you to share some of your own. My hope is that this will also inspire you and your family to share more book chats with one another, in turn encouraging all the readers in your home to get lost in a book of their choosing!

I’ll also give a quick plug for incorporating audiobooks. These certainly qualify as books in my opinion and can often be a good way to invite more reticent readers into the process.

Now, for a few recommendations:

• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. If this author decided to write cover materials for cereal boxes, I’m sure that I would read them. I love how he crafts a story, and this novel is still my all-time favorite of his works. I remember during my first read being about a hundred pages into the book and still unsure about the plot, but enjoying every page immensely. It’s a testament to his storytelling. If a novel is too much, try reading one of his short stories, such as “The Bootlegger,” which is equally as engaging.
• Finding Me by Viola Davis. This audiobook is read by the author and is beautifully told. Her story unearthed a myriad of emotions in me and left me in love with Viola Davis as a person, in addition to my already deep respect for her as an actress.
• The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Set in Washington, DC, during the McCarthy era, I found this book both entertaining and fascinating. Historical fiction is one of my favorite ways to explore history, and this book highlights parts of the narrative that is often overlooked.
• By Any Other Name by Jodi Piccoult. I suggest combining a reading of this book with a visit to the newly reopened Folger Shakespeare Library near Capitol Hill! This read centers around the lives of two related writers who are centuries apart but battling gender norms, with one living in the Victorian era and a contemporary of William Shakespeare. I spent hours researching the history of many of the characters in this one!

Now it’s your turn! I invite you to share a few of your favorite reads, or to challenge yourself to discover a new one this summer. If you or a family member has a book to share, send it our way at office@thinkingorganized.com. Happy reading! ?