Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What books do you wish would be made into TV shows or movies?

I'll have you know, this is kind of a double-edged sword with me. I love a good movie and show, but I love a good book, and when an adaptation is made, you always run that risk that, perhaps, the visual interpretation just won't measure up, you know? That said, I never stop wishing (or imagining) about my favourite books being made into films and movies. The following, in my humble opinion, would just be amazing. And awesome. Yeah, I'd die.

A. If you haven't read Code Name Verity yet, I swear you're missing it. It's one incredibly powerful read, and I think it's one of those books that could translate perfectly onto the big screen with the right cast. 

B. This series is a bit of a hot-button issue with me, as you'll probably know if you've been following this blog for a while. I loved how it started, but I hated how it finished. I can almost guarantee it would be amazing as a TV show though...we'd get to know the characters so much more. 

C. I'll bet dollars to donuts that 99% of you haven't read The Last Silk Dress. It's probably my favourite historical fiction of all time - and I read it long before I started blogging. This book would be so, so, so awesome as a movie. With Orlando Bloom. Obvs.

D. I don't know about you guys, but the Gossip Girl TV show bugged the bejeesus out of me. The Daughters series is vaguely reminiscent of it, but without all the trite, socially demeaning drama of the show. I think it would make a wonderful, sweet and fun show. 

What about you? What books do you think would make great films or shows?

Title: Rules of Summer
Author: Joanna Philbin (Twitter)
Publisher: Poppy
Publish Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

Meet two 17 year-old girls living in the same beachfront mansion in East Hampton for the summer, one “upstairs” (the daughter of a very blue-blooded family) and one “downstairs” (the niece of the family’s housekeeper.)

Isabel is the privileged daughter who’s used to having guys fall at her feet. Rory is the no-nonsense girl from a small New Jersey town who’s always been the friend, never the girlfriend. Besides becoming each other’s unlikely allies, both Rory and Isabel have a summer romance that will change their lives.

Isabel and Rory couldn't be more different. If you think about it, their lives are polar opposites. Rory has had to grow up too fast and care for her mother, who is far more concerned with her own dating life than she is for the well-being of her daughter. Isabel is a pampered princess, and she wants for nothing. When Rory accepts a position in the Hamptons for the summer as "the help," she's prepared for the work, and she relishes the chance to get away from her home life. But Isabel and Rory's lives are meant to connect for a reason, and these two girls might just happen right when they need it most.

I'm not a stranger to Joanna Philbin's writing. Her Daughters series was fun, light and intoxicating, and while it's fairly unheard of, I really enjoyed it, which is big for someone with a general aversion to contemporary. Rules of Summer happened upon my reading pile at exactly the right moment. Offering a sweet, summery escape that whisks the reader away to a beach-side town where excitement, first loves and finding oneself is all just a part of vacation, this book is the quintessential summer read. Lighthearted and decidedly fun, Rules of Summer is a breath of fresh air.

After a string of so-so books, I really needed a break from what I consider to be a tired and slightly off paranormal and dystopian market right now. Rules of Summer seemed like the perfect fit...and I was right. There's a beautiful simplicity to this book that honestly speaks to me. When a contemporary novel doesn't push itself to be some awe-inspiring tale, but rather promises you sweet, fun and real-life romance, I think that's when a novel can truly succeed. Rory and Isabel were actually both likable characters, which I was quite surprised about. Rory was a very self-sufficient character, in large part because of her upbringing, or lack thereof. There was a gentle sincerity to her character, and an undeniable toughness that we gradually see slip away as the novel progresses. Isabel was the one I expected to be the trickier of the two, and in some ways she was, but not in the way I thought. She is a carefully-crafted facade, and her passive-aggressive demeanor masked a sort of fragility and vulnerability that was refreshing. The romances both girls experience are tender and progress naturally, though I will say I'd hoped there would be more of a balance, but we got a bit more from Isabel's storyline than we did from Rory's. The writing switches deftly between the characters' viewpoints, and the transitions are seamless, which was a highlight for me, as well. And, well, we get a great, nicely wrapped-up ending, which is perfect for a read like this.

All in all, Rules of Summer was a fun, beachy read for me and, once again, the author has me sold on her writing style. Yes, it's a bit melodramatic and predictable at times, but it's done well, and it's done in a manner that's not at all presumptuous. I give this a 4 out of 5, and I recommend it fans of YA, especially those who enjoy light, summery contemporary books. 

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.