If you have been reading my blog posts for awhile you know I love to read and recommend new books. You also know I have struggled with staying healthy, lowering my blood sugar and losing weight. So I thought I would combine the two topics and give you my go to summer reading list, and mention a few cookbooks that are helping me with my health goals.  

First, if you haven’t read this one do it now.  The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert. It’s by far my favorite book written by a Wisconsin author! This one is all about food, food we Wisconsin folks love. It takes place in Milwaukee and is very well done. She has written a few others, her newest one takes place in Door County and is called The Simplicity of Cider.  I really enjoyed this one, but the first one is my favorite of the three. 

Do you love reading about summer in far away places? If so, Elin Hildrebrand’s new book The Identicals is a must read. It features twin sisters who live on two great summer destinations, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Elin’s descriptions of the two locations is perfect and makes you want to be there with the characters and pull up a beach chair. Also new this summer is Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer. This one features a librarian on the island of Nantucket. She is rebuilding her life and learning how to move on from her divorce. Again, I am fond of anything that takes place in a summer location and I was delighted by this one.  

Have you jumped on board the John Sanford train yet? If not, you really must check out his latest book Golden Prey. I think it will make you go back and start the series over again. Golden Prey features detective Lucas Davenport…and this one made me remember why I love the series so much to start with! It was action packed and full of surprises. If you like to read series in order, start with his first book Rules of Prey.  

Looking for a new romance author? I recommend Sarah Morgan as well as RaeAnne Thayne. Both write delightful contemporary romance novels. Sarah Morgan’s are set in New York City, and I really enjoy reading about big city life. The first one in her latest series is called Sleepless in Manhattan. RaeAnne Thayne’s books are set in the small town of Haven Point, and are full of charm. Start with Snow Angel Cove. Some people scoff when I tell them I love Nora Roberts, but seriously she tells a good story. Her latest Come Sundown was exceptional! This one had all the romance I love from Nora Roberts as well as a great deal of suspense. I also have been drawn to Western Romances lately, and this one fit into that category.  

Lastly I have some cookbooks to recommend. I have been on a quest to lose weight and there are several cookbooks we have here at the library that have helped me! I joined Weight Watchers this spring and have lost 16 pounds so far. I highly recommend the Weight Watchers Family Meals book, great for anyone who wants to eat healthy and needs to take kid tastes into account. Also two other cookbooks, Skinnytaste and Skinnytaste: Fast and Slow. This second one is great for busy families, and I think I will use it a lot in the fall! This author also has a blog and a Facebook page. Everything I have tried from her is delicious, and it has helped me sneak a few vegetables into my boys. Really good. My current favorite is the Turkey Stroganoff Meatballs. 

Let me know which recipe you try that you love! I love trying new recipes. What are you reading this summer?