May Flowers and June Books
It’s been a rainy spring in Colorado. Between storms, I snuck outside and discovered beautiful flowers blooming in our backyard. What amazed me most was that despite being pummeled by rain, hail, and even snow, they found a way to thrive. I find this to be incredibly inspiring, but maybe I’ve been playing with metaphors too much in the editing trenches…
Lone strawberry blossoms amidst a sea of tiny white flowers.
The lilacs smell as beautiful as they look.
There was a touch of irony when it snowed on these burgeoning blooms mid-May.
These May flowers always signify the start of summer, which means beach reads! Books that sweep you away while you relax in the sunshine, that take you to a whole new world or get you knee-deep in a crazy dramatic mystery. Here are a few of the books I’m most excited to get my paws on in the next couple months:
- Finders Keepers by Stephen King (June 2) — This is the sequel to Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, a murder mystery trilogy following one of the quirkiest trios since King’s own The Drawing of the Three.
- Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella (June 9) — I’m a big Sophie Kinsella fan, especially of her standalone novels like I’ve Got Your Number and Can You Keep a Secret?, featuring strong female protags that are laugh-out-loud funny. When I heard she had a YA book coming out, it made my list pronto.
- Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (July 14) — A rediscovered sequel-esque novel featuring characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, this one is a must. Bonus, it may bring some nostalgia for those high school summer reading assignments.
- Armada by Ernest Cline (July 14) — I likened Cline’s last novel, Ready Player One, to eating chocolate cake. It was pure nerdy fun, and this book sounds right up the same alley.
- Flask of the Drunken Master by Susan Spann (July 14) — I’m totally hooked on Spann’s Shinobi Mysteries, which follow a unique and lovable Sherlock-Watson duo in ancient Kyoto. It’s even more relevant since John and I recently purchased tickets to Japan! *squee*
What books are you excited to read this summer?? What are your favorite beach reads?
What I’m reading: Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
What I’m listening to: Renegades — X Ambassadors
O already had King’s book and Susan’s on my list. I haven’t read anything by Sophie Kinsella yet so I’ll check her out.
Beautiful flower photos!! I really need to plant some lilacs in our yard because I love the way they smell.
Thank you, Pat! Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. I love to bring them inside so the whole house smells like their lovely scent 🙂 I highly recommend Sophie Kinsella, especially if you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted to read!