One of the many reasons summer is my favorite time of year is the fact that while enjoying the view of Lake Michigan, I can also catch up on my reading. Yes, with re-runs on TV and little at the box office to grab my interest lately, it’s time to turn the pages of some books that have been sitting on my nightstand for months. I chose all of my beach-lounging choices because they discuss the intersection of real life, faith, and/or pop culture from a smart and fresh perspective.

(If any Idol Chatter readers want to add some suggestions to my summer reading list, feel free to leave them in the comments box below!)

1. “Working on the Inside: The Spiritual Life Through The Eyes Of Actors“: If you want to know what celebs like Liam Neeson, Kristin Chenoweth, and others really think about God , this book is an inspiring read. Author and journalist Rett Blaney does an amazing job of discussing the spiritual significance of mixing faith and art in some intriguing discussions with some A-list stars.

2. “The God Factor“: This book is another series of interviews that examines the spiritual lives of public people from politicians, sports stars and actors. A variety of faiths and cultural backgrounds are represented in this book as the journalist Cathleen Falsani. Interviews an eclectic group from Muslim basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon, novelist Anne Rice, and musicians Annie Lennox and Melissa Etheridge. (You can read an excerpt of it here.)

3. “Faith & The City“: If you’re a twentysomething who’s still making those tricky transitions into full-blown adulthood–like moving into your first apartment or searching for the career path that will make you happy–you will be able to identify with this “chick lit”-style book. While not quite as amusing as Bridget Jones or Carrie Bradshaw, Jennifer Ruisch’s memoir about her life in Chicago after college is a fun, fast read that covers everything from sex to faith to the spiritual desire for lots and lots of donuts. (You’ll have to read the book to understand that last part).