Another Austin Summer

It's June, which marks my third summer back in Austin, and also the start of 90+ degree days and slightly cooler nights. I'm not complaining (yet). The heat reminds me of that great moment in Atonement (movie, not book, in this case) where Leon says, "What do you say, Cee? Does the hot weather make you behave badly?"

The heat does bring a little bit of mischief, even if it's just staying out a bit later due to those extra daylight hours, sneaking out for gelato once or twice... a week and slightly smaller clothing to combat the increasing temperatures. In a few weeks I'm sure I'll be hiding indoors, thanking my lucky stars for air conditioning. But for now, I'm going to picnic like my life depends on it. And eat more gelato.

Birthday Cake Macaron and Topo Chico from Walton's Fancy and Staple.
Birthday Cake Macaron and Topo Chico from Walton's Fancy and Staple.

What I Read 2013

I'm finally updating what I've read for 2014, so I decided to move 2013 over to a post instead. I'm sure I'm missing a few, but this will at least give me a good idea of my literary journey for the last year. Any standouts? I have to say, for sheer joy of reading it, I loved The Night Circus. Other favorites include The Name of the Star and the Ruby Red trilogy. Any recommendations for this year?

Fiction:

  • Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

  • Mao II by Don DeLillo

  • The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

  • The Magicians by Lev Grossman

  • The Magician King by Lev Grossman

  • The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Young Adult:

  • Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

  • Cinder by Marissa Meyer

  • Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

  • The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

  • The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

  • 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

  • The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

  • The Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

  • Fallen by Lauren Kate

  • Torment by Lauren Kate

  • Passion by Lauren Kate

  • The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

  • The Elite by Kiera Cass

  •  The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

  •  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

  • Defiance by C.J. Redwine

  • Deception by C.J. Redwine

  • The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

  • Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

  • The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

  • Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross

  • The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

  • The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

  • Ruby Red by Kerstin Geir

  • Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Geir

  • Emerald Green by Kerstin Geir

Memoirs:

  • MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche