If there's one thing that I love to do that instantly relaxes me, takes me to another world and helps me escape the stress of my day to day life it's reading. Reading is something I just love and something I certainly don't do as often as I'd like but over the past year and a half I have been making more of an effort to crack open the pages of a good book (or sometimes tune in to an audiobook) and take some me time. Summertime is a great season to get in some extra reading. Weekends away at the lake, lazy days lounging at the park and summer getaways can be the perfect opportunity to get in some extra reading. I'm sharing ten books that are on my list (or that I've already read/am in the process of reading) that I think you'd love too and I'd love if you'd share some of your book recommendations in the comments below! I'm always looking for more great reads to add to my ever growing list!

DETAILS: AREA RUG // TOTE / (SIMILAR SMALLER SIZE) // BLANKET // SON OF A TRICKSTER // WARLIGHT

1. Every Last Note Played

So yes, I did do an entire blog post about this book but that's because it's just so darn good! If you're a fan of tear jerkers that hit you right in the feels then you NEED to read this book. Just make sure to have some extra kleenex on hand because chances are you'll probably need it!

2. How Not To Die

If the title doesn't catch your attention I don't know what will! This book came as a recommendation from a fellow book clubber and when Kristina started reading it and told me how much she was loving it too that was all the convincing I needed to download the audio book and get listening! As I write this I'm only four chapters in but I'm already hooked. I love the idea of learning more about how nutrition plays such a vital role in our health and can not only help to prevent illnesses/diseases but also how nutrition can help heal and cure the body!

3. Hunger

This book came recommended to me by my dear friend and bibliophile Aislin and it did not disappoint. Hunger is a raw, honest, emotional and at times difficult memoir by Roxane Gay about her relationship with her body and the history of how she became who she is today. As I'm currently on my own journey of dealing with weight and body image issues this book was of particular interest as I grapple with self love and care through weight loss and the emotions surrounding our oh so complicated relationships with our bodies. I think many of us can relate to at least one of the struggles and emotions that Roxane details in this very personal memoir and this is a great read to provide insight to some of the struggles that so many face that we may not recognize or understand.

4. Because I Come From A Crazy Family - The Making of a Psychiatrist

I'm not gonna lie, this attention grabbing title is 100% the reason I was drawn to this book. I love a good memoir and in this book Psychiatrist Edward Hallowell takes us through his childhood being raised by a family dealing with alcoholism and mental illness. I find these kinds of personal stories fascinating and insightful into learning more about the human experience and what shapes us all. This book is on my must read list this summer!

5. Girls Burn Brighter

There seems to be quite a bit of hype about this book and it sounds like an incredible story of two girls, a friendship, a devastating circumstance and their journey back to one another. If you're looking for a good fiction read this summer, I'd suggest putting it on your list as it's definitely on mine!

6. The Immortalists

This book was a #readwiththeskinny book club pick that I thoroughly enjoyed. It follows the story of four siblings whose lives are changed after a visit to a psychic as children, and how that visit impacted them over the decades of their lives. It's a story about complicated family relationships, living with regret vs living life to the fullest and it's one that definitely kept me thinking about it long after I closed the book!

7. Son of a Trickster

I was fortunate enough to be sent this book by my friends at Chapters and after reading the back cover I'm excited to dive in! This book was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the author is a winner of the Writers' Trust of Canada Fellowship so right off the bat I feel like we're off to a good start before even beginning! This book is the first in a trilogy in a coming of age series about a struggling teenager and the circumstances around him. I can't wait to crack open the pages and get reading! *I'm bringing this one on holiday with me next week!!

8. Crushing It!

I downloaded this audio book and can't wait to finish listening on my vacation next week. I love Gary V and I love to read the occasional business book. I don't read them too often but when I do I find they help motivate and inspire me and every so often it's nice to get a refresher and a bit of a kick in the pants when it comes to your business!

9. KIlling pace

If you're looking for a thriller meets girl power novel that you'll want to power through then this is a great one! I loved reading this female power driven mystery novel that had me drawn into the story right out of the gate. This was a very entertaining quick read and would be perfect to take to the beach this summer!

10. Warlight

Warlight is another book I received as a gift and is a new novel from the author of The English Patient. This is " a mesmerizing new novel that tells a dramatic story set in the decade after World War II through the lives of a small group of unexpected characters and two teenagers whose lives are indelibly shaped by their unwitting involvement." Sounds like a great read to me!

10 Books to Read This Summer