What I’m reading this summer and why

One of my favorite summer reading locations: In my hammock, strung between two trees in a Pennsylvania forest. Heaven.

It’s that time of year again – the summer reading lists are out for 2023, hooray!

But wait. Every year as I peruse the titles and add them to my ever-growing wish list for reading, I feel the old familiar pangs: There are simply too many good books in the world, and not enough time to read them all.

Ever the optimist, I continue piling titles onto my wish list.

Now don’t get me wrong – I do read a good number of books every year. But, it feels like I can never quite catch up. I guess that’s a good problem to have.

I recently finished two books that I absolutely loved: The Longest Race by Kara Goucher and Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman. Yes, there’s a theme – they’re both books about running. More accurately, the state of women’s running.

As much as I loved following Kara Goucher’s running career, I admired her even more once I started reading her books and listening to her story. Her book Strong (which includes journaling) literally changed my life – especially one day in particular right after my 50th birthday as I read and journaled in the sand of Bethany Beach.

But The Longest Race gives me an even greater appreciation for her running career. I honestly don’t know how she accomplished it all, given what she reveals in the book about what was going on in the background. Shame on Nike and male-dominated corporate culture.

I’m mad for her. I’m mad for all women who have to put up with this crap. I’m so tired of men who prey on, exploit and control women, whether it’s in the running space or other areas of our lives.

This theme rolled right into Lauren’s book as well. Kudos to brave women like Kara and Lauren for speaking up and using their voices. Kudos to women who support women.

In the headlines:

My published work for June includes…

“Reaching for the Moon: Luna Italian Cuisine is owner Vito Serradella’s moon shot, bringing a taste of Italy to Mechanicsburg,” Susquehanna Style.

And… my latest “10 Minutes” video for Celebrate Gettysburg includes an interview with Chris Lauer, founder and director of an innovative nonprofit arts organization in Gettysburg. But also starring in the video is a circa-1913 letterpress!

Coming Up: I’m thrilled to have a TON of writing in development right now, including in-depth environmental reporting for WITF and StateImpact Pennsylvania, building on my previous pieces, here and here.

Also on my plate (so to speak!): lots of additional foodie-related articles, an artsy article for Philly MetroKids parenting magazine, articles for a BRAND NEW Central PA magazine (very exciting!)… and (drumroll) my very own first book. Spoiler alerts: It’s running-related. And has a podcast component. Stay tuned… that’s all I can say for now.

What are you reading this summer? Feel free to comment below and share your picks. Happy summer and happy reading!

Next up for me? The running reading theme continues with Des Linden’s memoir, Choosing to Run. Reading books about running is inspirational to me, on several levels. Not only are they fueling my own running, but they’re fueling my writing as well.