It’s officially summertime here in Chicago. The days are long and the heat is up and I’m going to be filling my July with fun, easy beach reads. I’ve never lived this close to a beach before (hey Lake Michigan!), so I’m excited to pack up some snacks, a mini bottle of wine (shhh) and a good book and spend a few hours each week lounging in the sun. If I’m being honest, I’ll read the majority of these on my iPad because 1) my bookshelves are stuffed to the gills and I’m being threatened with divorce if I try to cram any more in them and 2) e-checking out library books is MUCH more convenient than actually trudging all the way to the library. Plus, it’s a little bit like Christmas when you wake up to an email that one of your “On-Hold” books is ready for download! However you plan on reading your books this summer, make sure you check out (or buy or borrow) these four titles.

The Girls by Emma Cline :  This novel, loosely based on the Charles Manson phenomenon, promises to be creepy yet seductive, a lot like Manson himself. As someone who listens to probably too many true crime podcasts, I can’t wait to dive into this one.

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub : A story about college friends moving through life together, this one hits home for all of us that are watching our adolescent relationships blossom and change as we mature.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler : Another “coming of age” novel, this one follows one girl’s journey into terrifying and exhilarating adulthood in NYC. I’m excited to break into this one as I try to navigate an adulthood journey of my own in Chicago.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson : I always try to read at least one non-fiction book per month (bonus if it’s true crime-related), and this one fits the bill. A look into the life and tragedy of Rosemary Kennedy, this book takes a look into the private life of one of the nation’s most famous families.

Happy reading!