Happy Tuesday! It’s almost the end of the month, so I am sharing the books I read this month and what I am currently reading. I am linking up with the Share Your Shelf ladies – Joanne, Marilyn, Tanya, and Jenn – so be sure to check them out on Thursday for other great bookish posts.

 Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen ☀️☀️☀️☀️
**2025 Sunshine and Books Summer Beach Read**

I loved this book. Carl Hiaasen is one of my favorite authors and this is a classic Carl Hiaasen. There are crimes against nature, crazy Florida man type characters, sarcasm, and the bad guy gets what is coming to him.

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I loved this book, too! Zeke and Lexi meet at a bar and head home for a one night stand. The home is a houseboat that both Lexi and Zeke think belongs to them. Their neighbor in the arena tells them the houseboat isn’t tied up as they are stumbling home, but a small misunderstanding leads to no one tying up the boat and Lexi and Zeke adrift at sea. They are alternately friends and enemies, discover so much about themselves, and have some interesting adventures. It was a great summer read and another great book from Beth O’Leary.

Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin

I’ve read a few of Gretchen Rubin’s books and I really liked this one. It would be a great high school or college graduation gift. It is full of advice and reminders for young adults as they head out on their own. I really enjoyed it and thought it gave some good reminders to focus on important aspects of work, friendship, family, and taking care of yourself. I got it from the library, which was perfect. I enjoyed the book, but don’t need to own it.

Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind by Nate Bargatze (audio) ☀️☀️☀️☀️

I first heard Nate Bargatze when he had a Netflix special and told the joke about the school calling the dad to find out what bus his daughter should ride home. I thought he was hilarious and I still do. I listened to this book and I am glad I did. It was funny! Full disclosure: I listened to it on 1.3x because Nate does not read quickly. If you like Nate’s standup, you should read or listen to this book!

Just Beachy by Wendy Wax

I was excited to see that Wendy Wax had a new book out this year. I was even more excited when I realized it was 10 Beach Road adjacent. When Sydney is fired from her longtime acting gig, she heads back across the country to stay with her family for a bit. It’s a good thing she does because her grandmother is moving into a new house in Florida and has plenty of room for a roommate. The book has a beautiful setting, a mystery surrounding a famed painting, an indie bookstore, friendship, and some romance. It is a great summer read!

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

This is not at all what I was expecting based on the title, but I thought it was great. I have liked every single Colleen Oakley book and this one is no different. Jane and Dan have been married for 19 or 20 years and Jane decided that this is the right night to tell Dan she wants a divorce. When terrorists come in and take over the restaurant, Jane cannot believe it. It is eerily like the plot of the book Jane wrote years ago. The book did not sell many copies so it is quite a surprise when the evening’s events follow the book. Jane and Dan alternate narrating the chapters and I enjoyed hearing both points of view as they figure out this traumatic evening. I wouldn’t call this a beach read, but I do recommend it all year long.

Currently Reading: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Currently Listening: Lion Down by Stuart Gibbs (kids audio)

You can always checkout what I’ve been reading on my Books 2025 page. I have all of my yearly reading pages linked here if you want to see what I’ve been reading for the last 7 years.

I only read six books this month. While it is a good reading month, it is not a usual July for me. I spent a lot of time coaching (and loved it), but I am hoping to lock in (as the kids say) to my reading in August. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!

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