Summer is the perfect time to find a little extra time to slow down and unwind. Whether you’ll be on the beach or in your favorite lazy chair, a good book is the perfect addition.  To help you pick just the right one, we pulled together our first summer reading list with some of our favorites.

Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand

Based on a remarkable true story of Louis Zamparini, who survived an airplane crash in the South Pacific during WWII and became a prisoner of war in Japan.  This book continues to transfix readers all over the world.  Read this story of courage and resilience before it hits the theaters this Christmas.

The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt

Donna Tartt, famous for The Secret History, won a Pulitzer Prize for this page-turner. The book follows a young man who clings to art from New York to Las Vegas, and Amsterdam, after he loses his mother in a terrorist attack.

The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd

This one centers on slavery and women’s rights. Sue Monk Kidd, best known for The Secret Life of Bees, creates a moving story based on a real life slave Hetty and her wealthy reluctant owner Sarah.

Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

You may have read J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece while in high school, but read this short and powerful story again. It’s a brilliantly written coming of age story of Holden Caulfield and his disdain for phonies, which as an adult you may eerily recognize in your real life.

Love Life, by Rob Lowe

If you’re a fan of one of the most handsome men on the planet, you’ll love every page. It also includes very insightful accounts of what acting in Hollywood is really like.

Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg

This book encourages women to be more ambitious and confident in the workplace. It also explains how we can grow in our careers and balance our personal lives.  It’s an important read for women looking for a manual on how to do it all.

And the Mountains Echoed, by Khaled Hosseini 

Best known for The Kite Runner and A Thousand Spendid Suns, Hosseini has written a series of short stories about two siblings and a variety of other characters all touched by Afghanistan.  The result is an emotionally gripping novel only Hosseini could write.

Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim, by David Sedaris

This timeless read of short stories can be enjoyed alone, or better yet, share the fun and read it out loud to friends and family.

Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

Amulet is an awesome graphic novel series of a young heroine named Emily Hayes.  It’s really for kids, but adults cannot get enough of this series. Hurry to read all five books, the sixth installment is due in August.

Peter Beard, by Nejma Beard

Photographer Peter Beard is known for adventure and New York Bohemia. This book chronicles his diaries and collages of Africa, African wildlife, and his jaunts with international super models and rock stars.