Around here, summer reading season is the best time of the year, and WHAT a year it’s going to be! There are so many great books coming out this season, and I can’t wait to share my Summer Reading Guide with you next week.
But I don’t want to wait a moment longer to share this summer’s Book Club picks, the ones we’re reading together in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club.
Book Club is the place where we’re learning to read better, together. We read a monthly selection plus regular classes and educational content that helps us get more out of our reading lives. I’m so excited about what’s in store for the season to come.
Our 2019 summer reading selections
In the past, we’ve read NEW NEW NEW books for summer, but this year we’re putting a new spin on our summer reading selections: instead of reading hot-off-the-press titles, we’re reading books that are a little bit older, so they’re easier to get your hands on—especially for our heavy library users. But each pick has strong ties to this year’s Summer Reading Guide selections.
MAY: • First, we’re wrapping up our spring reading selections with Julie Buxbaum’s Tell Me Three Things. I just zoomed through this novel for the third time and loved it so much, again—and we’re talking to Julie herself on May 29! Her brand-new novel Hope and Other Punchlines is in this year’s Summer Reading Guide.
JUNE: • The Gown by Jennifer Robson. The guide is chock-full of WWII historical fiction, and this wonderful historical novel focuses on the bright spot in Britain’s grim postwar period: Princess Elizabeth’s royal wedding. We’re talking with author Jennifer Robson on June 25.
JULY: • Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. I love and adore this 2005 memoir, and it will be such a treat (pun intended) to read again this summer. (And yes, Save Me the Plums is in the Summer Reading Guide.) Reichl’s story of her time as an undercover food critic is perfect for foodies and students of human nature.
AUGUST: • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Yes friends, we are reading Pride and Prejudice together. In 2019 an astounding number of Jane Austen retellings and interpretations are coming out (helloooo, Summer Reading Guide and MMD bookish content!), so we’re going to visit the original, together. (And then discuss the 2019 versions all. summer. long. #bestlife)
Learn more about the reading world (and YOUR reading life)
Because Book Club is the place where we learn skills to boost our reading lives, we’ll have great educational content all summer long. I’ve dubbed this our “season of experts,” because we’re talking to more than a half dozen people with all different kinds of bookish expertise. They’ll share tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes takes on their corner of the reading world. I’m giddy with bookish anticipation.
This is going to be a great season. I hope you’ll join me and your fellow readers for what I expect will be our best summer yet.
Happy summer, and happy reading!
Anne
P.S. I teamed up with Brandy at Page 1 Books for a special Summer Book Club box. Those boxes sold out in a jiffy, but I’m giving away one more box over on Instagram this week. Click here to check it out.
P.P.S. The guide is going out by email on May 16. If you’re not on the list, sign up here.
36 comments
I couldn’t be more excited for all of this, being part of the MMD Book Club is the best! I’m very intrigued by the ‘season of experts’ and of course I can’t wait to read and discuss Pride & Prejudice with everyone. Yay for summer reading!
I can barely contain my excitement for all this bookish joy!
Calling you a tease doesn’t sound proper, but you sure know how to build anticipation!!
Newbie here! Are the books actually shipped to subscribers? When I clicked on the link, I got an error, then went to the website but it said the Summer Bookclub box was sold out so I’m confused what the subscription is? Sounds so good and want to join in!
Oh no! I’m sorry for the tech woes, how frustrating. The Page 1 box is indeed sold out. You’re on the e-mailing list, so you’ll definitely get the guide when it releases. If you’d like to join the Book Club for our summer reading season, that info is right here: https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com/
30 books on the summer reading list? You just made my day!!
I had the same experience with the link as Kimberly. I also can’t find any link to your book giveaway on your Instagram page…I think maybe I’m a tecchie failure…!
You’re not a failure! It’s going up today.
When I enter my information to get the book list there is an error message: Promise undefined. I can’t get past it.
Oh no! I’ll investigate.
The Gown was soooo good. One of my favorites this year!
I have never read Pride and Prejudice so I am SO excited to finally be reading it with you, Anne!
I’ve already read The Gown and it’s great! 👍😍🙌
I loved The Gown!
I liked The Gown! I’m reading Save Me the Plums (because you mentioned it) now so I’m looking forward to another Ruth Reichl.
I am looking forward to reading more Ruth R – I still smile and tell a story from “Comfort me with Apples”
Very good book.
Garlic & Sapphires is going on my list–thanks!I LOVED The Gown! Here is my review: https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/review-the-gown-by-jennifer-robson/
I was sooooooo hoping to see that Ruth Reichl was visiting. 😂 I am a *huge* fangirl.
Looking forward to the list!
I was beyond excited for Ruth Reichl’s new book, Save Me the Plums, but found it to be absolutely dreadful. Full review:
https://isniffbooks.wordpress.com/2019/04/08/save-me-the-plums-by-ruth-reichl
I agree! I was so disappointed…I had to force myself to finish. I loved her past books and felt so let down.
I wish I had time for all the great author talks this summer! Great list. My Jane Austen Book Club (formed with strangers I met at your Story Shop book signing) read P&P as our first book together. I can’t wait to read the new interpretations.
The Garlic and Sapphire audio book remains one of my most favorite of all time. And as a carpooling mom, that’s saying a lot!
Thanks for reminding me about Ruth Reichl’s books. Does anyone else’s mind return to where they were when they read a favourite book? My husband and I rented a cottage in Door County, WI, on the shore of Green Bay. I still feel the pleasure of sitting on the shaded deck, reading “Garlic and Sapphires,” looking up every now and then to gaze at the lake.
What a wonderful memory! (You’re definitely not alone in your book + location recall. 🙂 )
I am so bummed I missed out on the Page 1 bundle! Next time I won’t tell myself “I have time.” However, I do plan on reading these selections and love the MMD book club environment. Looking forward as well to those 30 titles!!
I think we were all surprised at how quickly they sold out! The instagram giveaway is live now, right here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQCmXpBVt6/
I’m so excited about the season of experts coming this summer & can’t wait for the SRG to be unveiled!
And thanking my lucky stars that I ordered the Page One box before it sold out (I knew it would). The Pride and Prejudice edition that’s included is absolutely gorgeous!! ❤️❤️❤️
Can we join the book club if we can only do 2 of the 4 selections? Slow reader over here. 😉
Of course! The Book Police are not going to come get you if you skip a book. 😂
Can I buy a book club summer membership as a gift for someone else?
What a fun idea! That info is right here: https://members.modernmrsdarcy.com/product/3-month-gift-membership/
Hi Anne,
I’m from Luxembourg, English is not my first language, I’m by far not reading as fast as you guys and I’m not used to talk about books. But I love books and reading and I was wondering if I could join the book club or if I would be totally out of place.
Thank you so much for your answer
Have a great weekend
You won’t be out of place! You’ll actually be in great company.
Ok you talked me into the Book Club!
Is there a promo code for the MMD book club? Ive been an email subscriber for a few year, maybe I missed it??? Thanks!
Thanks for asking. No promo codes right now.