Summer is here, and we’re diving into our favorite summer reads on this week's episode of "Of Sound Mind and Spirit"! 

Join us, hosts Lisa Jones and Shelly Kelly, as we dive into our favorite reads, from thrilling mysteries to inspiring spiritual books. Whether you’re lounging on a tropical beach or enjoying a staycation, we've got the perfect book recommendations to keep you company.

   - Shelly's interest in history and likely reads: short history of Sicily, epic adventure about the American West.

   - Lisa’s enjoyment of the Baztan trilogy and books inspiring TV shows like "Shetland" and "Vera."

   - Shelly’s upcoming reads: mystery novel set in Calabria and "Save Me the Plums" by Ruth Reichel.

We share personal stories, reading tips, and even some hilarious reading achievements (trophy-worthy, of course!)

🏆 Don't miss out on the valuable insights and bookish humor!

SNIPPET FROM THE SHOW:

12 Books Challenge: “I do a twelve books challenge every year where I invite twelve friends to recommend to me a book that they’ve read and loved and I have not read it.”  - Shelly Kelly

👉 Have a favorite summer read or an incredible reading tip? Share with us in the comments or connect with us on social media. 

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**Book Recommendations**

Chick Lit - Irene Hannon – her ⁠Hope Harbor series⁠

Beach Reads -  ⁠Jenny Colgan⁠ – the Bookshop on the corner, The Christmas Bookshop, Little Beach Street Bakery, Bookshop on the Shore…

Escape Read - ⁠Kristin Hannah's books⁠  ⁠https://amzn.to/3Ve3S2d⁠ 

Vacation Spot - The Baztan Trilogy by Delores Redondo ⁠https://amzn.to/3yPhwkI⁠ 

Book Set where I’d like to Visit:

⁠The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia⁠ – coming out in July! By Juliet Grames

A Short History of Sicily by Santi Correnti  Short chapters broken out by inhabitants – Ancient Sicily, Greek Sicily, Roman, Arab, etc.  (86 pages)  OUT OF PRINT

Self-Improvement - Your CORE Strength: A Young Woman's Go-To Guide to Eating, Exercise and Empowered Health by Amy Connell   ⁠https://amzn.to/3VvraSz⁠ 

Based on TV Shows 

The Vera Stanhope Mystery Series by Ann Cleeves ⁠https://amzn.to/4ebZo4u⁠  the basis for the long running “Vera” tv series 

The Shetland Island Mystery Series by Ann Cleeves – the basis for the “Shetland” tv series on PBS.  ⁠https://amzn.to/3VdjHpz⁠ 

12 Books Challenge -  ⁠Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl⁠   - a Goodreads award winner, this book is about food writer and restaurant critic – when she became the editor in chief of Gourmet magazine.  

Learn Something

⁠Throne of Grace: A Mountain Man, An Epic Adventure and the Bloody Conquest of the American West⁠.  adventurer Jedediah Smith and the Mountain Men who explored the American frontier  (collaborative team of Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. 

Favorite book not read in a while - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery ⁠https://amzn.to/4e3FA3v⁠ 

Classics to Reread (or read for the first time)

Any book by Ernest Hemingway ⁠https://amzn.to/3X6c3jy⁠ 

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens ⁠https://amzn.to/45gjzu7⁠ 

Inspirational/Learn Something

⁠This Present Paradise -  Claire Dwyer⁠.

Pray for Us: 75 Saints Who Sinned, Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to Holiness by Meg Hunter-Kilmer ⁠https://amzn.to/4e3FA3v⁠ 

Other Books Mentioned

⁠No Two Persons – Erica Bauermeister⁠ – if you haven’t read this yet, highly recommend.

⁠Natalie Jenner⁠ -  Everytime we say goodbye – just came out.  Post war Italy (10 years) and lots of healing from the past, refugees, wartime memories, and lost loved ones.

Popular Fiction - Cormoran Strike Novels (crime fiction) by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) ⁠https://amzn.to/4aVkxNE⁠