'The View' co-hosts share their favorite books of summer 2022
The co-hosts flip through the books that they're dipping into this summer!
Summer is the best time to unwind and get lost in a good book, or a few!
All week, the "The View" co-hosts will share their summer reading list in a series called "The Ladies Get Lit," showcasing their favorite books to read, as well as some audiobooks. Read on for the co-hosts' favorite books to kick back and relax with, and get lost in a story that will take you anywhere you want to go.
ANA NAVARRO’S SUMMER READS
”Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzalez
Olga and her brother, Pedro, are New York City hot shots. Pedro is a popular congressman representing their Brooklyn neighborhood while Olga plans the weddings of Manhattan's power players. Their public lives seem charmed but behind closed doors things are less rosy.
While Olga struggles to find a love of her own, their estranged mother comes barreling back into their lives. Set against the backdrop of New York City and the months leading up to Hurricane Maria, this story examines political corruption, family strife and the American dream.
The book is being turned into a TV series.
”Violeta” by Isabel Allende
Written in the form of a letter, this book takes you through the life of Violeta, the first girl in a family of five boys. She takes the reader through the great depression, the fight for women's rights, the rise and fall of tyrants and two pandemics.
This coming of age story recounts heartbreak, passionate affairs, poverty, terrible loss and immense joy.
JOY BEHAR'S SUMMER READS
"Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli" by Mark Seal
"Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli" by author Mark Seal is a riveting, behind-the-scenes account of the making of the iconic film, "The Godfather." The author conducted interviews with director Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, the late James Caan and even a few anonymous sources.
The creators of the film had to contend with the real-life mob members who were subjects of the movie, and they didn't always agree with the content. The studio also didn't want Marlon Brando or Pacino to star in the film, but Coppola "went to the mattresses" for them.
For anyone interested in filmmaking, Hollywood history and even the story of organized crime in America, it's a fascinating read.
"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb
Nearly 30 million Americans take a seat on a therapist's couch, and some of these patients are therapists themselves. Author Lori Gottlieb -- who is also a successful psycho-therapist -- wrote the memoir "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" to explain why people do self-destructive things and how to stop them.
When she experiences a personal crisis, the tables are turned and she enters therapy herself. As she delves deeper into the lives of her patients -- a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a 20-something who can't stop hooking up with the wrong men -- she discovers that the questions they're struggling with are the very ones she's now presenting to her own therapist.
SARA HAINES' SUMMER READS
"Interrupting Chicken" by David Ezra Stein
Sara's son, Caleb, loves to be read the book, "Interrupting Chicken," by David Ezra Stein. The story is about a chicken who can't stop interrupting his papa while being read some of his favorite bedtime stories like "Hansel and Gretel" and "Little Red Riding Hood."
But what happens when it's this little chicken's turn to read a story to his papa? Will the tables turn? Will he learn a lesson other than those of the storybooks he's reading? You'll have to find out for yourself!
"It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover
In Colleen Hoover's novel "It Ends With Us," Lily moves to Boston after graduating college to start her own business and falls for Ryle, a gorgeous neurosurgeon.
Everything seems too good to be true, even if Lily finds herself to be the exception to Ryle's "no dating" rule. As she questions this new relationship, she can't help but think about her first love, Atlas.
Read the book as soon as you can because the much anticipated sequel, "It Starts With Us," comes out in October.
SUNNY HOSTIN'S SUMMER READS
"A Frog Named Earl: A Tale of Adventure, Courage, Friendship and Acceptance" by Earl Trewin
Earl Trewin wanted to write a children's book about overcoming physical challenges and accepting one's differences. So he wrote "A Frog Named Earl," a story of determination, hope, acceptance and friendship.
The main character is Earl, a frog who does not jump like other frogs. When he goes on a quest to find a wise owl who helps all creatures with challenges, he makes new friends who are unique just like him.
"Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD" by Jason Kander
In 2017, former intelligence officer, Jason Kander, was preparing a run for president. When he entered his bid for mayor of Kansas City, he was headed for a landslide victory.
After 11 years battling PTSD from his service in Afghanistan, Jason was seized by depression and suicidal thoughts. He dropped out of the mayor's race, out of public life, and finally sought help.
In this memoir, readers learn of Jason's struggle with the most painful moments of his PTSD. Through his eyes, readers learn of impact this undiagnosed illness has on his family as they see him go through treatment and gives hope to many.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG'S SUMMER READS
"Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence" by Ken Auletta
Ken Auletta wrote a New Yorker profile on a man who was at the height of his powers 20 years ago: Harvey Weinstein. The profile exposed his volatile and violent behavior toward some of his employees and collaborators.
Back then, there were rumors that Weinstein was a sexual predator, but he denied claims when confronted. Years later, Auletta shared his reporting notes with Ronan Farrow and finally revealed the truth about Weinstein.
For this book, film stars, Miramax employees and board members, old friends and family -- including Weinstein's brother -- spoke to Auletta at length. Even Weinstein himself responded to his questions from prison.
"Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel" by Shelby Van Pelt
Following her husband's death, Tova Sullivan worked the night shift at the local aquarium. Keeping busy always helped her cope, which she's done since her 18-year-old son mysteriously vanished on a boat more than 30 years ago.
For Tova, talking to the aquarium's sea creatures was easier than talking to humans. When she became acquainted with a giant octopus living at the aquarium, she realized it knew more than anyone, and it helps her find out what happened to her son.
"Charlotte Sophia: Myth, Madness and the Moor" by Tina Andrews
Prior to her father's death, Princess Charlotte is told a family secret in Germany: She was of African descent. In order to marry well, she's forced to hide her ethnic coloring under makeup for years.
Charlotte has the opportunity to be the potential wife for the newly crowned King George III, but what happens when the king is in love with someone else who he is forbidden to marry, or when Charlotte is forced to give up her one true love to marry the king?
The book is filled with lust, betrayal, politics, murder and madness.
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