Summer reads means different things to different people, which is why this was a four-part series. We started with mysteries, moved to travel and vacation, and continued with children’s books. We finish the series with books that have women as their target audience. While there could have been many more topics, there four seemed to be the most popular when discussing favored reads among our editorial team.
Of course, these books don’t have to be read by women. However, as a woman who has spent a few summer days lying on the beach, these books would be perfect choices to accompany me on my next trip to the beach.
Holly’s Inbox by Bill Surie
If you ever wanted a peek at someone else’s e-mail, then discover the secrets of Holly’s Inbox!
Written entirely in emails and texts, this novel speaks directly to the Facebook generation, who are used to learning and gossiping about their friends through messages rather than actually talking to them.
Holly’s Inbox provides unguarded access to heroine Holly, making her realistic and relatable, as you can picture yourself in her shoes, obsessing over how to phrase a message or waiting for a response. Readers will also be surprised to discover that Holly Denham is the funny, quirky product of a man’s imagination! Author Bill Surie has created a novel that reads like the personal correspondence of a woman who is navigating her new relationship with her boyfriend and gossip at the office, with each snippet of information revealed through Holly’s frequent exchanges with her best friends, her well-meaning but delusional parents, shifty brother and Internet-savvy grandmother.
Perfect on Paper: The (Mis)adventures of Waverly Bryson by Maria Murnane
Waverly Bryson is a successful businesswoman in her late 20s who almost has it all: a dream job in sports PR, two best friends, and a bar where everybody knows her name. What she doesn’t have is a ring on her finger. And after being ditched at the altar, she’s in no hurry to get one. Besides, plenty of other issues keep her busy, including her wayward father, a new rival at work, and an ever-nagging fear that her life not turning out as she thought it would … or should.
To stay sane, Waverly makes a habit of jotting down “Honey Notes,” self-deprecating bits of single-girl humor that she hopes to one day develop into a line of greeting cards.
Here are two examples: Front: Can’t face the dating scene after a breakup? Inside: Honey, hit the bar, and hit it hard. Beer goggles are the lonely girl’s Cupid.
Front: Ever feel like you know nothing at all? Inside: Honey, congratulations. At least you finally know that.
As Waverly stumbles back into the dating scene (no stalkers or jean shorts, please), her personal and professional lives threaten to collide. Perfect on Paper reminds readers that everyone has had a bad date (or twelve), and that at times we all need a best friend to say, “Honey, you are not alone!”
