Summertime and the Livin’s Easy

booksSummer is just around the corner *throws confetti* which means:

1. Fabulous new book releases! Which inevitably leads to a reading tan line (you know, that little bit of our neck that never gets any sun because our noses are constantly buried in a book).

2. Seeking asylum from the heat in a cool movie theater and reveling in the latest book-to-movie adaptations.

Books I’m most excited about (in order by release date):

  • Small Town Spin by LynDee Walker (April 8) — I can’t wait to dive into the third installment of the Headlines and High Heels Mystery! If it’s anything like the first two, it’ll be an expertly-crafted mystery with a fun main character.
  • Plus One by Elizabeth Fama (April 8) — This story just sounds breathtakingly beautiful. In a society divided by night and day, a night-dweller falls in love with a ray.
  • Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor (April 17) — The final book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. While I wasn’t entirely satisfied with Days of Blood & Starlight, I still can’t wait to read the conclusion, even just for Taylor’s gorgeous writing.
  • The One by Kiera Cass (May 6) — I can’t wait to see what mysteries unfold in the final book in the Selection trilogy, but more importantly, who America and Prince Maxon choose.
  • The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (June 19) — The second Cormoran Strike mystery written by JK Rowling. I LOVED her first mystery with her endearing detective Cormoran and his trusty sidekick Robin. It was just plain entertaining with the magical flare of Rowling’s writing.
  • Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton (June 24) — The sequel to one of my favorite rom-com reads, Wallbanger. I can’t wait for more of Clayton’s laugh-out-loud humor and to see what Caroline, Simon, and Clive the cat are up to. Bonus, the third book’s coming out in September!
  • Landline by Rainbow Rowell (July 8) — After last year’s Eleanor and Park and Fangirl (I highly recommend both books), I’m beyond excited to read Rowell’s next release!
  • Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins (August 14) — The final book in her trilogy of companion novels that started with Anna and the French Kiss (one of my all time favorite books). Perkins is the queen of contemporary YA romance, making this the perfect ending to a great summer’s worth of reading.

Slide2Movies I’m most excited about (in order by release date):

  • The Fault in Our Stars (June 6) — I’m a huge John Green fangirl so will most definitely be there opening day with a box of tissues.
  •  The Giver (August 16) — I can’t wait to see how they adapt Lois Lowry’s beautiful novel, perhaps by playing with color a la Pleasantville.
  • Maze Runner (September 19) — I wasn’t a huge fan of this book, but I’m curious to see how they adapt it and, random connection, the adorable little boy from Love Actually plays Newt in the movie.
  • Gone Girl (October 3) — Gillian Flynn’s twisted, entertaining story is getting a new ending, written by Flynn herself! Add David Fincher as director and Ben Affleck starring as Nick and this is sure to be a hit.

What books and movies are you excited for this summer?

What I’m reading: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

What I’m listening to: The Shins — No Way Down