Pack your Handbag with these great Summer Reads

By Raquel Franco

Every summer you have to intellectually stimulate yourself in some way, right? Or at least indulge in a shameless piece of chick lit. Here are some of the best summer novels that will have you curled up laughing and/or crying.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume:
Two best friends cope with first loves, sexual experiences, family problems and all that becoming an adult can bring.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch
Astrid Magnussen is left to survive on her own at thirteen after her strikingly beautiful and neurotic mother poisons her ex lover.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson have the perfect summer romance until fate rips them apart. Allie returns to Noah after several years and even though she is engaged she begins to have those same feelings she once had for Noah and now she must choose.

The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin
Nanny has just landed a dream job sitting for sweet little Grayer. Nanny may have celebrated too soon when she finds herself being the mommy in his life and cleaning up the pieces of a broken marriage.

While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
The past has just walked back into Jo Becker’s life and turned it upside down. Jo now, after all these years, has to confront it.

The Autobiography of Vivian by Sherrie Krantz
Left battered and bruised Vivian Livingston is now picking herself up of the ground and moving to the big apple to start her life over again.