Packing has given me a great opportunity to dig through our accumulated book collection, and in the process I’ve came across some novels I dearly loved and have read several times in the past. Three of them brought back such fond memories of their contents that I immediately added them to my “to be read” stack again. If you’re looking for some great summer reading, here are three stellar choices, along with a thumbnail review of each.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon - One of the best novels I’ve ever read, period. Friendship, love, social awkwardness, Salvador Dali, and the golden age of comic books all rolled up into a delicious pie.

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - The movie Simon Birch is very loosely based on this book, which actually tells a tale of how a friendship between two complete opposites at a Christian boy’s school eventually causes one of them to grow up and question almost everything in his life, particularly his faith.

The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle - I’ve loved so many novels of his (World’s End, Talk Talk, and especially The Road to Wellville), but this one was perhaps the best - a train wreck story of rich California liberals meeting face to face with impoverished illegal immigrants. It’s interesting on a pile of levels and a very fast and rich read, like everything Boyle writes.

Give each of these a shot - they’re all tremendous.

And now, for some personal finance…

Extended Travel Abroad For The Young Nickel makes a very compelling argument in favor of having a young person spend some extended time abroad, particularly between high school and college. I wholeheartedly agree (@ five cent nickel)

Cash Vs. Credit Card: Gas Stations Charging Different Prices Some gas stations have begun to charge more for using a credit card, essentially passing on the credit card processing fee to the customer. Nice. (@ consumerism commentary)

Which Investments Are Best For A Roth IRA? Ever wondered how you should invest money that you put into a Roth IRA? J.D. spells it all out for you here in a great lil’ compilation article. (@ get rich slowly)

The Simple Dollar Retro: Three Money Lessons My Grandfather Taught Me This was an incredibly enjoyable article for me to write. I got to reflect on a person who had an incredibly powerful impact on my life, retell some of his wonderful stories about his life, and realize that there were a lot of great lessons in them. And no, the picture there is not actually my grandfather, just a classic painting I’ve always liked that seemed appropriate.