Beach Reading 2017

by Jennifer Yarbrough

​During summer the weather gets warmer, the days get longer, and things take on a slower and more relaxed feel.  It just makes sense that this is the season of leisurely reading.  Here are a few great titles to check out and one that looks like a promising Summertime page turner. 

Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (And Everything In Between)  
Lauren Graham

Where and When to Read:  Perfect for any summer activities, the pool, the beach, the airport.  A fun, quick, and easy read!

What to Expect:  …when you’re expecting.  Ha!  Ha!  Had to put that in there for those of you that watched the Gilmore Girl’s Sequel and were all, “WHAT??!?”  Back to the subject at hand, Talking As Fast As I Can, expect to feel like you have scored yourself an awesome coffee date with Lauren Graham and she is sitting next to you sharing fun, interesting, sometimes awkward bits of her life, her career and herself with you.  She starts pretty much at the beginning of her acting career (hotdog suit, anyone?) and takes us through the first run of the Gilmore Girls and then the series Parenthood and back again full circle to the much anticipated and much loved Gilmore Girls Sequel that aired last Fall.  The last portion of the book dealing with the Sequel contains entries from her journal as the show was shot.  It’s fun and sappy and sentimental all at the same time to view the taping through her eyes.  And you know what else…she also lets us know how she feels about those last four lines. 

Favorite Quote: 
While the book is written in Lauren Graham’s comedic style, she effortlessly sprinkles bits of wisdom throughout.  Here is a favorite bit:

“I guess what I’m saying is let’s keep lifting each other up.  It’s not lost on me that two of the biggest opportunities I’ve had to break to the next level were given to me by successful women in positions of power.  If I’m ever in that position and you ask me “Who?”  I’ll do my best to say “You” too.  But in order to get there, you may have to break down the walls of whatever is holding you back first.  Ignore the doubt and just keep going, keep going, keep going.”

Only Love Today:  Reminders to Breathe More, Stress Less, and Choose Love by Rachel Macy Stafford
Where and When to Read:  This book is organized by Season—Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.  Each season contains short vignettes that are sometimes poems and sometimes personal stories.  I like to start off each day by reading one of the short, but poignant entries and then contemplating the message throughout the day.

What to Expect:  Through her own personal stories, Rachel Macy Stafford, explores what it means to focus on simply choosing “Only Love” Today.  She shines the light on the things that are important, relationships, connections, and authenticity and kindly shows us how to let go of perfectionism and self-doubt.  One of the great things about this book is that it doesn’t have to be read from front to back, but can be read in any order—by topic or by “Season.”   I suggest starting with Summer and reading an entry a day.

Favorite Quote:

“The world might try to tell you that you don’t fit in.  I beg to differ; I think you are the missing piece.”

What I’m Reading Next:

Camino Island
by John Grisham

I am excited to read John Grisham’s latest which is set right here in Florida!  A 30something writer finds herself in the middle of a mystery involving the literary black market and a set of stolen F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts.