STIK's Summer Reading List

In our Monday morning (Zoom) team meetings at STIK HQ, we usually take a few minutes to rehash what we watched and read over the weekend. We have all been quickly following each other’s recommendations and even started a book club (S/O to Tessa for her amazing book rec blogs for our inspiration). Since we all realized how much we appreciate each other's recommendations, we wanted to compile a list of some of our favorite past and present reads. For when you want to relax outside or before bed -- take a look at the list of some of the teams all time faves. 

Tory: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena is a serious beach read thriller novel about a couple who’s newborn goes missing while they are next door at their neighbors house. It’s a total page turner - definitely would not recommend this to any new moms out there, as there are some sensitive topics. I read this when my daughter was six months old, which felt like a poor choice in timing, but I still stand by that it was SO good.

Tessa: One of my all-time favorite books is I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. I probably reread it once every year and a half because it's THAT good. It's truly a one-of-a-kind spy thriller...you literally cannot put the book down and it's written in a way that feels so real and vivid. Think Homeland vibes - CIA agent comes out of retirement to solve a gruesome murder, leading him on a journey to stop an international terrorist attack. It is just shy of 900 pages but I promise it's so worth it! 

Meg: When I think of summer reading, I picture a semi-trashy novel that hooks me from the start, has me love-hating on all the characters, and keeps me guessing until the very end. You know - those books that all the sudden drop a HUGE plot twist that you never saw coming. If this sounds like your cup of tea/glass of rosé, I highly recommend The Last Mrs Parrish. Set in an exclusive town in Connecticut, the book follows one lonely woman on her quest to steal her neighbor's handsome and successful husband. While it's not the BEST piece literature, it's so juicy that you'll likely finish it in one day. 

Peter: I just finished (it only took me 6 weeks) Trinity.  It’s a classic historical fiction novel from Leon Uris and chronicles the story of Ireland.  The character development is exceptional and the level of detail just enough to get a true sense of the times.  It’s also a story of man’s inhumanity to man that is very pertinent to all of us now.

Claudia: Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a good ole, classic psychological thriller. I just finished it in a book group with my friends and it was quite the page turner. I don’t want to give away too many details, but it kept me on my toes. Just when you think you know how the book is going to end... talk about a major plot twist. If you’re a fan of Gone Girl, you’ll probably like this one.

Franny: A book that always fills me with the best summer vibes is My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrel. The book is set in the sun soaked Greek island of Corfu where an English family abruptly moves after they decided they had had it with dreary weather. If you are looking for some escapism, this is the perfect book - filled with scenes of lounging on the beach, plentiful fresh fruit, and intriguing wildlife. 

Sarah: Disclaimer: up until the past few months, it’s been a win if I read more than 2 books per year. I’m almost positive that if you’re reading this blog post, you’ve already read or heard of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. However, I found it to be an excellent beach read so if you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend it for this summer. It’s a classic coming of age story set in rural North Carolina with an underlying mystery throughout. I loved that it was an easy, relaxing read, but a page turner nonetheless.

Tell us what you're reading this summer! Share in the comments!