My Summer 2024 Reading List

As I write this, we’re already more than a week into summer, so I’m assembling my list a bit late but confident I can enjoy these books in the remaining months before school-year craziness ensues. Yes, I, um, may still be working through prior summers’ lists, but goals are supposed to stretch us. Right?


Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner

Cole and Laila are Just Friends

Blurb: Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet have been best friends their entire lives. Cole is the only person (apart from blood relatives) who’s seen Laila in her oversized, pink, plastic, Sophia Loren glasses. Laila is always the first person to taste test any new dish Cole creates in his family’s restaurant . . . even though she has the refined palate of a kindergartener. Most importantly, Cole and Laila are always talking. About everything.

When Cole discovers a betrayal from his recently deceased grandfather that shatters his world, staying in Adelaide Springs, Colorado, is suddenly unfathomable. But Laila loves her life in their small mountain town and can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. She loves serving customers who tip her with a dozen fresh eggs. She loves living within walking distance of all her favorite people. And she’s very much not okay with the idea of not being able to walk to her very favorite person.

Still, when Cole toys with moving across the country to New York City, she decides to support her best friend–even as she secretly hopes she can convince him to stay home. And not just for his killer chocolate chip pancakes. Because she loves him. As a friend. Just as a friend. Right?

They make a deal: Laila won’t beg him to stay, and Cole won’t try to convince her to come with him. They have one week in New York before their lives change forever, and all they have to do is enjoy their time together and pretend none of this is happening. But it’s tough to ignore the very inconvenient feelings blooming out of nowhere. In both of them. And these potentially friendship-destroying feelings, once out in the open, have absolutely no take-backs.

Why I want to read it: I kinda hate the cover, but I’ve heard lots of good things about this book. I’ve only read one book by the author, and I didn’t much care for the main character, so I want to give the author another try.

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Summer YA Reading: Blink and We’ll Miss It

For decades now, our family’s summers have been marked by visits to the local libraries. It used to be Books & Babies, Book Buddies, and Chewsy Readers programs with added visits for summer performances and activities.

My children have grown and the pandemic ended many of our beloved summer reading activities, but these months still mean reading and racking up the books read to increase chances of more summer rewards. I’ll never tire of the return trips from the library when the usually raucous ride is silent as everyone but the driver delves into their new book.

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Summer Book Club: In Pieces by Rhonda Ortiz

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, I’ll be facilitating a Catholics Read book club meeting. We’ll be chatting about Rhonda Ortiz’s debut novel, first in the Molly Chase series, In Pieces (Chrism Press).

This historical novel set in colonial Boston, while a romance, has wide appeal. There are rogues, spies, gossipy hens, and crusty sailors. More than that, there’s a lot to contemplate on duty, marriage, family, faith, dignity, conscience, and the pursuit of truth. Those are the kinds of things I hope we’ll talk about. And whatever YOU want to discuss!

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Catholic Teen Books Summer Reading Bingo

Looking for a simple summer reading program for yourself or your teen? Catholic Teen Books has you covered. Read a book in each of three broad genre categories to get a bingo, then enter to win! (See the bingo card below.)

Choose from among the nearly 100 books listed at CatholicTeenBooks.com. Categories can be found under the menu tab “Books,” so you can easily see which categories a title might fulfill.

When you’ve got a bingo, enter online. At then end of summer, one winner will be chosen by random to win $50 in books! See all the details and find the entry form at CatholicTeenBooks.com.

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My Summer 2023 Reading List

My annual summer reading post. Am I setting myself up for failure? I have more obligations than I’ve had in summers past, and reading time is more limited. Let’s look at my track record.

  • 2019. I read 2 of 10 books. Yikes.
  • 2020. I read all 6 books on my list. Yay, me!
  • 2021. Boom! I read all 6 books. Again.
  • 2022. Only read 2 of 6. A measly third.

Well, let’s hope I can return to my 2020-21 greatness.


A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

A Girl Called Samson

Blurb: In 1760, Deborah Samson is born to Puritan parents in Plympton, Massachusetts. When her father abandons the family and her mother is unable to support them, Deborah is bound out as an indentured servant. From that moment on, she yearns for a life of liberation and adventure.

Twenty years later, as the American colonies begin to buckle in their battle for independence, Deborah, impassioned by the cause, disguises herself as a soldier and enlists in the Continental army. Her impressive height and lanky build make her transformation a convincing one, and it isn’t long before she finds herself confronting the horrors of war head-on.

But as Deborah fights for her country’s freedom, she must contend with the secret of who she is—and, ultimately, a surprising love she can’t deny.

Why I want to read it: It’s been a long time since I read an Amy Harmon book, and her popularity seems to have exploded since then. I trust her with this story, and I’ve seen great reviews from readers whose opinions I respect. I’m ready to be swept away by this historical novel.

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