Summer Reading: Fit4Mom offers book recommendations for moms, from moms

This is about the time of year when I'm searching around for a good read for a family summer vacation or a long afternoon at the pool. Fit4Mom's book club members share some favorites.

Posted 12:35 a.m. Jun 13, 2017 — Updated 12:35 a.m. Jun 13, 2017

This is about the time of year when I'm searching around for a good read for a family summer vacation or a long afternoon at the pool. Here's what I'm looking for: Something light, but not too light, serious, but not too serious.

So, I'm thankful for Fit4Mom Midtown Raleigh's recent blog post, which shared some book recommendations from local moms, who participate in their programs, which include workouts, playgroups and even a book club, which meets monthly. (Fit4Mom also will be offering a free workout at our Friday, June 16, event at North Hills).

So what are they reading (beyond "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," Junie B. Jones and anything about Paw Patrol)?

Here are some of their picks:

"Americanah," by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. "Serious, life-changing, thought-provoking novel."

"The Rosie Project," by Graeme Simsion. "Lighter. Funny. Still great."

"Girls' Weekend," by Cara Sue Achterberg. "It's about three moms who are friends and they plan a weekend away."

"Beachcombers" and other books by Nancy Thayer. "Great for summer!"

"Poisonwood Bible," by Barbara Kingsolver; "When Breath Becomes Air," by Paul Kalanithi; and "Off Balance," Dominique Moceanu's memoir. "I love historical fiction and memoirs."

"All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr. "I'm such a nerd that we made the town one of our stops when we visited France last year!"

"Daring Greatly," by Brene Brown; "A Manual for Cleaning Women," short stories by Lucia Berlin; "Gifts of Imperfection," by Brene Brown; and "Elephant Company: The Inspiring Story of an Unlikely Hero," by Vicki Constantine Croke. "I'm sort of in a non-fiction place right now."

"Big Little Lies" by Liane Moriarty. "And the subsequent HBO series, SO GOOD!"

Lexi Graves mysteries by Camilla Chafer. "They are a quick, easy, fun read. I just finished the most recent one!"

"The Power of Habit," by Charles Duhigg; "The Circle," by Dave Eggers; "Magnolia Story," by Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper;" "The Handmaid's Tale," by Margaret Eleanor Atwood; and "The Nightingale," by Kristin Hannah. "I'm a sucker for books turning into movies."

"A Man Called Ove," by Fredrik Backman. "My favorite book of 2016. Heartwarming, great characters, compelling story."

Any Harry Potter book, by J.K. Rowling. "I will read any Harry Potter book, any time. I have a real affinity for the boy who lived."

And, next up for the Fit4Mom Book Club: "Nights of Rain and Stars," by Maeve Binchy and "The Talented Mr. Ripley," by Patricia Highsmith.

What are you reading this summer?

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