I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, but since starting work in the publishing industry my to-read list has grown exponentially. To the point where I don’t think I’ll ever be able to possibly read everything I want to – not unless I marry rich and move to my own private island (with wifi and UPS delivery, obviously)(and my dog)(and a full staff because really? who has time for laundry when there are books to be read).

Enough daydreaming. I’ve chosen my top 10 summer reads and I’m determined to finish them all. By Christmas.

What’s on your to-read list this summer?

1. The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Imposter – Contrary to what some may think, having a crushed ice maker built into the front of the refrigerator does not a Rockefeller make. But really, who doesn’t want to live like a Rockefeller? Also, his glasses are super cool.

2. Marriage Confidential: The Post-Romantic Age of Workhorse Wives, Royal Children, Undersexed Spouses, and Rebel Couples Who Are Rewriting the Rules – Studying up for next time. Clearly.

3. Effie: The Passionate Lives of Effie Gray, John Ruskin and John Everett Millais – A Victorian socialite? An unconsummated marriage!? A scandalous love triangle!?! Sign. Me. Up.

4. Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef – I know the culinary world is super trendy as of late, but I can’t pass up a good food inspired memoir. It’s always been one of my favorite genres.

5. The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie – I distinctly remember reading all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books in 4th grade. I also distinctly remember deciding that I was an indoor-girl after reading that the Ingalls sisters played ball with a pig bladder.

6. What Alice Forgot – Alice thinks she’s 29 years old, happily married, and pregnant with her first child. Alice is really 39 years old, a mother of three, and in the midst of a nasty divorce. That’s one hell of a hangover.

7. The First Husband: A Novel – I swear I’m not picking these titles on purpose. Everywhere I go this book is being recommended to me, so I feel obligated to add it to my list in case it leads me to some earth-shattering revelation.

8. Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me (A Chelsea Handler Book/Borderline Amazing Publishing) – I like Chelsea Handler just enough to find her mildly amusing. I’m relying on her editors and Photoshop to pull me through her latest book (because lets be honest, if you saw Chelsea Handler on the street you would think she’s one rough looking broad).

9. Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein – A navel-grazing Pulitzer Prize winning playwright and screenwriter turned fag hag (I say that with a twinge of jealousy – I need some more gays in my life)? Let the shenanigans begin!

10. Maine – A dysfunctional family, a lovely summer cottage in Maine, and gallons of vodka. Sounds delightful.

Honorable mentions:

• The Truth About Unicorns – A reprint, but it’s never to late to learn what is up with those damn unicorns.
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Read the book so you’re prepared when the movie is released as I suspect it will trump the page.
• Skippy Dies: A Novel – RIP Skippy. He dies on page 5, so this isn’t what you’d call a spoiler.

Affiliate links within! I’m going to be rich! I’ve purchased all these books myself, so I feel confident in my recommendations.