Considering that last summer I didn’t read one book from start to finish, this year I’m on it, and no repeats!  The weather here has been questionable and I’m still waiting for summer to officially start, but I’ve kept the whole theme alive taking journeys in my mind via the books to a warmer, sunnier climate.

Very good enjoyable reads this summer include The Beach House  and Swimming Lessons (the sequel)  by Mary Alice Monroe.  They take place at a beach town in the low country of South Carolina.  While the storyline is primarily about a mother-daughter relationship along with their friends, some old, one new and in trouble, along with the trials and tribulations including a hurricane,  personal as well as various family crisis, death, loss, and bouncing back.  The underlying theme is about loggerhead turtles and their whole life and reproductive cycle.

Both reads are enjoyable and worth reading. 

Author: Judy Blume

This is basically a story about 2 girls who became unlikely friends in elementary school.   One is quiet and reserved, has a sibling with a disability and parents who are conservative, cold and distant. The other is beautiful, independent and gets away with outrageous behavior, has divorced, unconventional, wealthy parents and a sometimes quirky older brother.  Every year for six years,  the girls go to the summer house in Martha’s Vineyard where they share a variety of experiences, romances, worries, and emotions. Together, they work through their difficult family relationships, boyfriends, and other challenges as only best friends can. The magical possibilities that only summer provides make this a fun read and reminds me of the days of summer break. I pretty much try to read it every summer and each time it’s as enjoyable as the first.