Summer 2022: What to Read and Watch 

It’s finally summer tomorrow! We have some book and TV show recommendations to make the season even more enjoyable. Tell us your plans for the season and what you plan to read/watch. We hope you can sit back, relax and enjoy your summer.

Books to Read

1. Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Who doesn’t love food? For Stanley Tucci, like most Italian Americans, food is a big part of their heritage. Christy can speak from experience. Tucci discusses his childhood, young adult years and his career, which took him all over the world. He also shares food and cocktail recipes so the reader can join in on the fun. If you enjoy cooking (or eating), Tucci takes you on a great culinary journey from New York City, to Rome, to the Icelandic countryside.

2. Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill

If you’re a fan of both cooking shows and romantic books, Love from Scratch has to be on your summer reading list. It’s about two recent high school graduates doing a summer internship in Seattle at a food-focused TV network. It’s fun, romantic and a good summer beach read. You won’t want to put the book down and you might need a snack to keep yourself from getting too hungry.

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid 16: Big Shot by Jeff Kinney

You might be surprised to see a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book on our list. Don’t be! We’ve read every book in the series and anticipate the new releases. These books make us burst out laughing from Greg Heffley’s antics. In this installment, Greg’s mom wants him to start playing sports. Greg suggests basketball…and quickly regrets it.

4. The Counselors by Jessica Goodman

One of summer’s most highly anticipated YA mystery released on May 30th. We recently bought this book and can’t wait to read. It’s about three best friend who work at an elite summer camp, only to find a body of someone they know in the lake. Desperate to know the truth, these friends have to figure out who they can trust. If you want a dark summer read, Goodman’s mysteries can keep you guessing.

5. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

We haven’t read Book Lovers yet, even though it’s on our TBR. Nora loves to read books, but she’s nothing like her favorite heroines. Nora’s spending a summer in Sunshine, North Carolina with her younger sister Libby, who desperately needs a trip. There she keeps bumping to Charlie, who is nobody’s idea of a hero. Can these two bookish young adults make a summer romance work?

TV Shows to Watch

1. Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

If you’re obsessed with travel like us and want to learn more about Italy, let Stanley Tucci be your guide. Tucci visits the different regions of Italy to highlight the unique culture and food scene throughout the country. One of the best parts of this show is that he meets with locals to really experience the charm of the different regions. It’s not super touristy and viewers can learn a lot about this country known for food and fun.

2. How I Met Your Father

We know that How I Met Your Father has mixed reviews. But we want to start by telling you we’re big fans of How I Met Your Mother, except for the ending… We were skeptical when we heard about the new show. It won us over right away though. First of all, the show is very millennial. We mean, there’s Hilary Duff and Josh Peck.

The show follows six New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s as they navigate their careers, dating and friendship. Give this show a chance and get ready to laugh. There are some fun easter eggs from the original.

3. Locke & Key

If you’re into paranormal horror, we can’t recommend Locke & Key enough. When the Locke siblings discover the keys after moving to Massachusetts, they seem exciting. But everything gets dark and complicated quickly. There are people out there looking to take the power of the keys and they want the Locke family gone.

The third and final season releases on Netflix in August, so it’s the perfect time to start bingeing the first 20 episodes. Get ready for a wild ride.

4. Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever topped Netflix when it first released two years ago and we’re getting ready for season three in August. Meet Devi, an Indian American girl who is just trying to find her way. Devi’s goal is to get a boyfriend and have a better high school experience. But school, guys and friendships are complicated when you’re 16.

Devi may make a lot of mistakes, however, she is a likable character. She can be selfish at times and does some crazy things, but the viewer knows she has a big heart and just wants everything to be okay.

5. Emily in Paris

Emily in Paris is fun, silly and not that realistic, but that’s what makes the show so enjoyable. Emily Cooper moves to Paris for her marketing job and quickly realizes she’s a fish out of water. She doesn’t speak French and making friends is difficult. Until she meets Mindy, an au pair, and her hot neighbor Gabriel. She finally settles into this new life, only to make a mess of everything. If you’re looking for a hilarious show set in an amazing city, follow Emily’s journey on Netflix. We’re ready for season 3!