In earlier posts I’ve talked about how much I love the work of local authors Gigi Amateau and Meg Medina. Now it’s their turn to share the books they love through their Girls of Summer reading list. This isn’t your dreaded school reading list with titles that make young readers cringe and hide the books until a week before the school year begins. Instead, the list is full of strong female characters in engaging stories. Some titles, like Girl Stolen by April Henry, are compared to pieces of cake, those delicious treats we enjoy guilt free.
Visit the website to read Gigi’s and Meg’s reviews of each book, share your thoughts, find more information on the reading list authors, and get to know the list’s lovely curators. Starting July 8, every Friday you’ll find interviews with the list’s authors.
Book lovers have been buzzing about the list all day on Twitter and Facebook. A friend who’s on a cross-country road trip right now called me to say she saw the announcement on Facebook and would I please send her the list since she won’t have internet access at her new place. We’re talking about reading the list together. I’ve already ordered my copy of Huntress by Malinda Lo from Fountain Bookstore and look forward to reading it on the beach during my family’s upcoming vacation. Though well out of my teens, I am still a girl of summer.
Experience the live launch of Girls of Summer on July 28, when Meg and Gigi partner with James River Writers to bring authors Steve Watkins, Valerie O. Patterson, and Rebecca Lauren to Richmond for a night of bookish talk and fun. Meg and Gigi will moderate this awesome panel and give away all the books on the Girls of Summer list to one lucky winner.
When: July 28, 2011
When: Thursday, July 28, 2011
Where: Children’s Museum of Richmond 2626 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Tickets support James River Writers: $10 online; $12 at the door; students $5
See the Girls of Summer website for more information on the live launch and other news. I look forward to seeing you on July 28 and happy reading!
River City Fiction 
Hi! Thank you so much for posting about Girls of Summer. Meg and I had such a great time making list and reading all of the books. We’d love to hear about other awesome strong-girl books, too. It was tempting to make the list, like, 100 books long. Thanks, again!
By: Gigi on July 5, 2011
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