Silver Lining: great books to read this summer

For me, a good summer read can be almost anything, with a few caveats.

First, it can't be super dark, dreary or depressing. I like to save my dark and brooding books for the darker, brooding months in the winter. Summertime reads should be at least moderately uplifting, bright, or happy.

Second, it has to be a book you can read in short segments. Lots of times, summer books are listened to one chapter at a time on a car trip, or read in short bursts on the beach.

Third, I really like it if the book takes place somewhere warm or summery. It's just easier to imagine sweltering afternoons or warm night breezes when you're currently experiencing similar weather.

Here are a few books to read this summer. They're all fantastic!

A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman, 2014

The main character's object of desire is to end his own life, but it's not nearly as dark and dreary as it seems. This is a sweet and quirky book with a funny main character and the kind of awesome neighbors we can only dream about having.

We Were Liars
E. Lockhart, 2014

This is a suspenseful YA book that's perfect for the summer. It's literally set on a summer getaway island, in the wake of a family tragedy that the main character has blocked from her memory. It's all about first love, first mistakes, and secrets that are too painful to forget - or to remember.

What Alice Forgot
Liane Moriarty, 2010

This book has lots of ingredients for a great summer read. It's mostly bright, fun, and happy, and reads along nice and quickly. It's also easy, so if you need to put it down at a moment's notice, you'll be able to pick it back up without a problem. It's about a woman who temporarily loses the last 10 years of her memory.

The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver, 2005

This book is about the family of an evangelical missionary who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959. The language used to describe the jungle is absolutely amazing, and you'll be pulled in to the crazy adventures and complicated family dynamics. The jungle has never seemed so swelteringly hot or action-packed.

The Help
Kathryn Stockett, 2009

Talk about a perfect summer read! The setting is nice and warm. The plot moves quickly and the characters draw you in, and it's a very empowering book. If you haven't already read this, or if it's been a while since you read it, go ahead and treat yourself. You won't regret it.

The Rent Collector
Camron Wright, 2010

This book is fresh, original, and interesting - in fact, the main character lives in poverty in an actual burning garbage dump in Cambodia. The sweltering setting is absolutely perfect for summer, it's short and sweet, and I love the message about friendship and literacy.

What have you been reading and loving this summer?

I'm in a major book rut - send me some good titles!