Summer reading is by far my favorite. Actually beach reading is by far my favorite, and I read four books while Aaron and I were at the beach in early June. It's just the best reading I can think of. Ocean waves in front of you. Sun on your face. Drink with an umbrella in it in your hand. Perfection. Here's what I read this past month.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. (description from Amazon)

I liked this book. It kept me turning the pages and wanting to know more. I am fairly certain this book was written for the teen section, but I still think adults can enjoy it. As you know, there' s a movie out from this book now. I have still not seen it, but as soon as the kids are back in school this is on my to do list – rough life, right?

My friend Annie Downs wrote about whether or not you and your teens should see this movie. Check that out HERE. Also — small plug for the HAPPY HOUR PODCAST, but Annie will be one of my guests in August.  She's super funny and you will love her.

BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey 

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty onSaturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon — from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.
Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy. (description from Amazon)

This book has only been recommended to me 1.4 billion times and finally I did it. If you enjoy anything Tina Fey has done you will enjoy this humor. I laughed out loud on the beach – again, only thing better than reading on the beach is laughing through a book on the beach!

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCER'S STONE (BOOK 1) by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny. (description from Amazon)

I know, I know, I'm the last person on the planet to read these books. Our oldest son is just now old enough to start reading them, and as I told you before I really like to read books my kids are reading, so I'm in. I actually LOVED this book and if I would have had the second one on hand I would have gone immediately to it.

POPULAR: BOYS, BOOZE, AND JESUS by Tindell Baldwin

Tindell describes her book: “My heart is for teenage girls because my story is much like so many of theirs. I was just a girl who made a lot of mistakes. I was a girl who had sex before marriage and then had a broken heart. I was a girl who did drugs and drank to fill the void that was deep in my heart. I was a girl who was desperate to be popular. A girl who, like so many others, didn’t know the dark side of sin. So my aim is to reach teenage girls, and through an honest account of my darkest sins, show them what they are up against. My heart is that teens would hear my story and flee to Christ. My greatest desire is that God would be glorified above all else.”  (description from Amazon)

Goodness gracious do her and I have such a similar story. I felt for her when reading because I have walked this path, but I also rejoiced so much because I have also experienced the same grace from God that she has. Great book for teenagers to read.

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. (description from Amazon)

Once again, the last one in the world to read these books. I really liked this one. It took me a while to get into it, but by the last 100 pages or so I couldn't stop. I'm ready for the next book, but I have actually picked Harry Potter #2 over this #2, so we'll see when I get to it.

I actually really like to read books before movies, and so I picked this up so that I could see the movie. Guess I'll be seeing this movie after school starts as well! I need a movie buddy, who's in?

That was all for June. Looks like June was the month of teen books for me! If you have a teenager they have  probably read these books way before I have.

What are you reading this summer? If you've read Divergent, did you like? Should I keep going? Movie good?