As summer comes in full force, the Lilja team is looking forward to sunshine, warmer weather and great summer reads (of course)! Take a look at what we’re reading and recommending this season. Maybe you’ll be inspired to pick one of these up, too!
Alicia DeMatteo: “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
This book's main character is a little Marvelous Mrs. Maisel-y in her ability to charge forward in pursuit of her happiness and career, at a time when women should be singularly focused on husbands, kids and such. While plenty of comedic moments ensue, there are also situations that take you deeper into the characters and their evolution. Consider it a beach read with a little extra depth!
Holly Fritz: “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry
There couldn’t be a more fitting title for a summer read. This story follows two best friends as they try to make amends by taking a summer trip together — just like they used to — after not speaking for two years. Between the present-day Palm Springs excursion and flashbacks to their other adventures, you won’t have to plan any of your own (but I’d still recommend booking that flight).
Samantha De Leon: “Diane Arbus: Portrait of a Photographer” by Arthur Lubow Lubow recounts the life of Diane Arbus, a renowned and influential twentieth-century photographer. Lubow's extensive research and insightful interviews reveal Arbus’ wild and charismatic personality, while also shedding light on her struggles and life as an artist. This biography is rich in detail — some disturbing and graphic — which makes the reading experience all the better. After I finished this book, I wondered what it would have been like to be captured through Arbus' lens.
Kate Lohnes: Revisit one of your old favorites!
Over the past few summers, I've enjoyed rereading the classics that defined my teen years. I've worked my way through “The Great Gatsby,” “Little Women,” “Emma,” “Sense & Sensibility,” and “Pride & Prejudice.” So, instead of a new book, might I suggest an old one? True classics read differently at different stages of your life, providing you with a new experience while enjoying some comforting nostalgia, too!
