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No matter if you're thinking about law school, currently preparing to apply, or packing your bags to head off to law school this fall, get ready to grab your iPad, Kindle, Nook, or library card and gather the essentials for a relaxing afternoon of summer reading! (And if you prefer to purchase your books on Amazon, support Ms. JD by starting your Amazon shopping at www.amazonsmile.com and designate Ms. JD as your charity.) 

For the applicant

• If you're in the early stages of looking at law schools and just starting to research the application process, The Ivey Guide to Law School Admissions: Straight Advice on Essays, Resumes, Interviews, and More by the former Dean of Admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, Anna Ivey, provides a solid overview of the admissions process. 
• In Law School Lowdown: Secrets of Success from the Application Process to Landing the First Job, Ian Scott offers his guidance on the full spectrum of the pre-law and law school journey, from navigating the application process, to finding success in law school and ultimately landing your first job.
• Although there are countless resources available to help you develop your personal statement, sometimes it's easiest to learn by example. In 55 Successful Harvard Law School Application Essays: What Worked for Them Can Help You Get Into the Law School of Your Choice by The Staff of the Harvard Crimson each essay is followed with a brief commentary explaining what the author did well and where there is room for improvement.  

For the soon-to-be 1L

• Get the inside scoop on law school from Ms. JD's 2013 Fellowship class with Ms. JD Fellows Present: Acing Law School! And take a look through Ms. JD's Pre-Law Prep Guide and Blog for more insider information on law school and life as a lady lawyer. 
• One L by Scott Turow is a classic pre-law read that tells the story of Turow's first year at Harvard Law School.
• If you're already thinking about law school finals, Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul can help you begin building your academic strategy. 

For career excellence

• What does it mean to be a woman in the legal profession? What challenges do we still face today? Dive into the current dialogue on gender in the profession with Best Friends at the Bar: What Women Need to Know About a Career in the Law by Susan Smith Blakely or deepen your knowledge of women's legal rights with Women and the Law: Stories edited by Elizabeth M. Schneider and Stephanie m. Wildman. 
• The Partner Track: A Novel by Helen Wan is a fast-paced novel that explores sexism and racism in BigLaw. To keep up with diversity news, check out On Being A Black Lawyer, On Being A Hispanic Lawyer, and On Being A Lawyer of Color. 
• Recharge this summer with Women Who Don't Wait in Line: Break the Mold, Lead the Way by Reshma Saujani. Reshma's book combines inspiration and research with practical applications for pursuing your ambitions. 
• In case you missed it, Arianna Huffington recently released a book, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder, sharing her insights on how to tackle work-life balance. Wondering how to manage stress in law school? The Alabama State Bar has a guide to help!

If you have your own summer reading recommendations, leave them in the comments, or share them with us on Twitter by tweeting @msjdtweets with the hashtag #msjdprelaw. And don't forget to take a break this summer and pick up a book just for fun! 

About the Author: Laura Bladow is Ms. JD's Programs Manager in addition to being a passionate pre-law woman. Have questions about law school or pursuing a career with a JD? Leave a comment below or tweet @msjdtweets & @laurabladow with the hashtag #msjdprelaw and engage with our community! Looking for more pre-law resources? Check out Ms. JD's Pre-Law Prep Guide as well as the pre-law section of our blog!