Mini-Rambles: Summer Reads (Rachel)

Since it's summer, I've been reading way more books than usual. In June, I read 19 books, and so far in July I've read about 11 books. This is especially exciting considering the fact that January through May was a really bad reading time for me. I was only reading about 5 books a month, which is half of what I consider my "normal" reading routine at 10 books a month.

Anyway, so since I've been reading so much, I've been having a difficult time keeping up with my reviews/rambles. There are just so many that need to be written! So today I'm going to be doing a few mini-rambles of books I liked, but don't really have that much to say about. I don't want to try to stretch out my opinions into a full-length review when I could just say everything that needs to be said in a paragraph.

This little collection of books is made up of what I think are great books for the summer. They're all fun and easy reads that can be read on the beach in a single sitting. I'm not head-over-heels in love with any of these, but I did enjoy my experience reading them and I think they're worth picking up.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Goodreads summary
How My Summer Went Up in Flames is a fun road trip book. I don't know about you guys, but I have never not enjoyed a book about a road trip. The main character is sent on a road trip with three teenage boys as a way to get out of town and away from her ex-boyfriend, who's filed a restraining order against her. It's a kind of ridiculous but hilarious premise that's so much fun to read about. The characters visit some of the most random and quirky places in the United States on their road trip, and it's an entertaining journey. There is a little bit of romance in this book as well, because what's a road trip without a some romantic tension? If you're looking for a fun and light summer read that doesn't require too much emotional investment, I recommend giving this a chance. I flew through this book in one or two sittings, and it's the perfect book to read by the pool on a hot summer day.


Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
Goodreads summary
Two-Way Street is another fun road trip book. It's told from the alternating point-of-views of two characters, and the story alternates from the characters on the road trip after they break-up and the characters a few months earlier, when their relationship was just beginning. This format was a really interesting way to tell the story, and I especially liked getting to know the perspective of each of the characters. These two characters find themselves on a road trip to school together, something that was arranged before they'd broken up, and they can't get out of it now. The two of them are awkward and uncomfortable around each other, and it's really interesting to watch the story unfold as the reader learns about what happened to get them to the point they're at in the present. The characters are two people you can't help but root for, and as I was reading, I kept hoping that they would find a way to work it out and be happy together. I read this whole book in a few hours, because it's one of those stories that I was unable to put down after reading the first page. Again, if you're looking for a fun read for the summer, I recommend this one.


This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Goodreads summary
This book is not about a road trip, but it does take place in a small Maine town during the summer. When one character accidentally sends an email to the other character, the two continue emailing each other and form an entirely email-based relationship. But plot twist: the guy is a famous actor, and his new movie is filming in the girl's small town. The two of them meet in real life, and, well, stuff happens. This is What Happy Looks Like is a light and fun read that I got through in one sitting, even though it's relatively big at just over 400 pages. I was unable to resist the appeal of a cute summer romance, and this book was so entertaining. I especially love the setting: a little town in Maine full of tourists on vacation and locals who all know each other. It reminded me a bit of Stars Hollow (any Gilmore Girls fans out there?!) because of the charming small-town vibe. I was also intrigued by the movie star angle. It was fun to read about a celebrity in comparison to a totally normal girl in a small town. I didn't love this book as much as Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, but it was still quite good. If you enjoyed her other book, I think you'll like this one too.

Please let me know in the comments what you think of this format. I'm thinking of doing collections of mini-rambles a few more times this summer, just so I can try to keep up with all the books I've been reading!

I hope you're all having a wonderful summer filled with awesome books! Have you been reading any fun summer reads? Please let me know! I'm always in the mood for a recommendation. :)