Now that we’re nearing the middle of August, there’s only a few weeks left of lounging lazily and tackling that stack of new reads. So with one last long weekend on the horizon, here are our picks for the season’s best books and why you need to check them out.
Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
A pop culture phenomenon prior to the highly anticipated film, Stockett’s fictionalized account of segregation in 60s-era Mississippi has earned praise from its readers thanks to its realistic characters and heart-wrenching narrative. Thus, while the movie’s been cited as a heartwarming take on an undoubtedly painful time, the book will likely prove why movies “ regardless of great casting “ always seem to pale in comparison to their literary predecessors.
Title: Normal Gets You Nowhere
Author: Kelly Cutrone
Not that you have to be reminded, but if you want to kick butt and take names in this up-and-down environment, sometimes it helps to have a cheerleader in the form of a great book and narrator. Delving into business, relationships, friendship and even self-help, you’ll quickly be reminded by Kelly stole The Hills and why we need more Cutrone in our day-to-day lives. (Just remember that if you have to cry, go outside.)
Title: Bossypants
Author: Tina Fey
You’ve had since May to pick up this gem, so if you’re still lacking the trials and tribulations of a one Tina Fey in hardcover form, it’s probably best to end your summer on a hilarious and inspiring note. No drama, no embellishments and the sass that’s made us love her since writing for SNL, Bossypants is the book to read when you want to quote something relentlessly (and make your friends laugh).
Title: One Day
Author: David Nicholls
Fine, so this might not be a literary masterpiece, but if you’re in the market for some old-fashioned romance before getting psyched up for a new Jim Sturgess/Anne Hathaway flick, you might as well go for a mystical adventure of a love story told over time (30 years, specifically), when the guy and the girl meet for one day every year. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve probably wept, but if not? Now’s the time to get that Kleenex box ready and wonder why we all loved The Time Traveller’s Wife so much in the first place.
