Summer Reading: 10 Books to Read Before Labor Day

"There's nothing I love more than sitting on the beach with a good gut-busting LOL-inducing book. Reviews say that David Sedaris' latest, Theft by Finding Diaries (1977 - 2002), has hints of darkness in it, but is ultimately hysterical—similar to many of his other works."

- Nikki Ogunnaike, ELLE.com Senior Fashion Editor

Staud shirt, $145,staud.clothing.com; Topshop pants, similar at Topshop.com; Erickson Beamon earrings, $343, ericksonbeamon.com; Carrera sunglasses, nordstrom.com

"I'm naturally an obsessive. From the Kardashians to the Royals, it's almost problematic how in tune I am with the goings-on of certain humans I've never met. The Stars in Our Eyes promises to explain why celebrities fascinate us and what it means to be famous today. Hopefully after reading, I'll understand my own fascination, and maybe even feel a little vindicated from the haters."

- Emily Tannebaum, ELLE.com Social Media Editor

Chromat top, $107, chromat.com; Jil Sander Navy trousers, similar at jilsandernavy.com; Bonheur earrings, $82, bonheur.com; Carrera sunglasses, $149, nordstrom.com

"A teen becomes an apprentice to an idiosyncratic cultural icon and documents it all in a book that's at once memoir and work of fiction. Apprenticed to Venus: My Secret Life with Anaïs Nin is my idea of a dream summer read. Tristine Rainer, the author, chronicles her relationship with Nin, a literary scenester and feminist revolutionary, who schooled her in sex, alcohol, and how to have a career as a writer. The book is as smart as it is utterly wild; the highest praise I can give it."

- Mattie Kahn, ELLE.com News Writer

Rouje camisole, $100, rouje.com; Diane von Furstenberg skirt, $228, dvf.com; Carrera glasses, $179, nordstrom.com

"Maybe you can't judge a book by its cover, but I definitely want to Instagram this gorgeous one. The fact that it has the juiciest description ever—'the suspenseful and heartbreaking story of a family ripped apart by secrets;'—is even more reason to throw Home Fire in my beach bag this summer."

- Gena Kaufman, ELLE.com Social Media Director

Longchamp romper, similar on longchamp.com; Carrera glasses, $173, nordstrom.com

"Marcel Proust is the king of over-thinking things. I doubt I'll ever read any of his dense novels or essays, but I'm sure his letters, collected in Letters to His Neighbor, are amusing and have just the right dosage of Proustian banter to take my mind off whatever is happening on my phone."

- Mariel Tyler, ELLE.com Photo Editor

Cinq a Sept dress, $345,intermix.com; Erickson Beamon necklace, similar at ericksonbeamon.com; Carrera sunglasses, $149 ,nordstrom.com

"As the daughter of an immigrant father, the cultural divides that can exist within families is always on my mind. I love stories that explore questions of home, a central theme of Refuge. How do we relate to the homes of our parents, especially if they aren't ours? How do we build homes when we haven't left the olds ones freely? These are questions I ask myself all the time, and I'm always looking for how others have answered them."

- Jaya Saxena, ELLE.com Staff Writer 

Brock Collection dress, $842, modaoperandi.com; Mounser earrings, $195, barneys.com; Carrera glasses, $179, nordstrom.com

"As someone who can't say no to taking on multiple side projects a year, busy-ness is a concept I'm familiar with and fascinated by, especially living in New York City.  What makes the Japanese concept of Ikigai (the happiness of being busy) attainable and even an important key to living longer? Can't wait to read to find out!"

- Mia Feitel, ELLE.com Senior Designer

Carrera sunglasses, $149 ,nordstrom.com