'Big Bang Theory' actress shares her summer reading list

In this latest installment of CNBC's summer reading series, "Big Bang Theory" actress and real-life scientist Mayim Bialik, who just got nominated (again!) for an Emmy, offers up what she's reading for the summer.

As an actress, author and mother of two, finding time to read is difficult — but necessary! I tend to read on the beach, at home when the kids are asleep and on long flights in between talks and personal trips. I recently used some down time on the 15-hour flight to Israel and back to catch up on some of the books listed below.

Denise Herrick Borchert

Mayim Bialik

After Birth

By Elisa Albert

My writer friend, Matthue Roth, recommended this book because it features a style of conversation only certain kinds of parents want to hear: the dual love of child and hatred of the changes to one's brain and psyche and life when that blessed child comes. It's dark, dark comedy but there are touching revelations about parts of parenting many people are afraid to share about.

Happy Wives Club: One Woman's Worldwide Search for the Secrets of a Great Marriage

By Fawn Weaver

Fawn Weaver traveled the world to find out why and how people keep their marriages happy and chronicled her findings in this book. Although I am divorced, I appreciate the institution of marriage and respect Fawn's journey and scholarship.

Living a Life That Matters: From Nazi Nightmare to American Dream

By Ben Lesser

I have gravitated toward WWII biographies ever since I studied the Holocaust in Literature for my minor at UCLA. I never tire of hearing amazing stories of personal triumph, and this book sounds like it's going to also be enlightening and inspiring.

The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning

By Maurice Lamm

Maurice Lamm is one of the most respected authors on Jewish topics, and this was recommended to me by my Rabbi as the sort of classic definitive explanation and exploration of why and how Jewish culture handles death and mourning. My father passed away in April, so this is timely for me.

The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh

By Thich Nhat Hanh

This is a tiny book full of the most brilliant writings collected from this Zen Buddhist monk. Eric Kaplan, author and co-executive producer on "The Big Bang Theory," turned me on to Thich Nhat Hanh when my dad was sick, and his writings remind me of the source of serenity that we all have in us and need to learn to harness.

Commentary by Mayim Bialik, an actress best known for her starring role in the 1990's sitcom, "Blossom." She currently appears on the CBS comedy series "Big Bang Theory"; she has been nominated three times for Emmy awards and twice for SAG and Critics Choice Awards for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler, the girlfriend of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). She is also a published author, mother of two boys, and a spokesperson for DeVry University and Texas Instruments. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @missmayim.

More from the CNBC summer reading series:
Thrillers? Romance? What Wall Street's reading this summer
Want to live like Ivanka Trump? Check out these books
How does a New York Ranger relax? With Hemingway