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May 29th, 2008
11:03 AM ET
Summer reading listThough I really don’t get any more time to read in the summer as I do in, say, February, there’s something about the idea of “summer reading” that prompts me (and, judging from the countless stories out there, others) to make up foolhardy lists of all the books I plan to immerse myself in over the next three months. 
The irascible Lewis Black has a new book out.
 So here’s what I plan hope to get to before Labor Day appears, knowing full well that this list will last about as long as a chill in August: – “The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America,” Thurston Clarke (Henry Holt): I cried when I finished Evan Thomas’ RFK biography, and I expect to feel the same sadness when I get to the end of this new book about Kennedy’s ill-fated 1968 campaign. – “Nixonland,” Rick Perlstein (Scribner): Perlstein’s book about the splintering of America, and its exploitation, should be a sobering bookend to “Last Campaign.” – “The Enchantress of Florence,” Salman Rushdie (Random House): I hope to get the chance to interview Sir Salman when he comes to Atlanta in July to talk about his new novel, a romance set in the 16th century. – “The Salterton Trilogy,” Robertson Davies (Penguin): I loved Davies’ Deptford Trilogy when I read it several years ago - particularly the amazing “Fifth Business” - but I haven’t returned to the late Canadian author. I hope to rectify that oversight. – “Armageddon in Retrospect,” Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Putnam): Vonnegut’s final book is a collection of unpublished stories, many set during the waning days of World War II he described in “Slaughterhouse-Five.” – “Me of Little Faith,” Lewis Black (Riverhead): The Comedy Central curmudgeon is fiercely entertaining on the air. Will he do the job on the page? (His first book, “Nothing’s Sacred,” worked pretty well.) – “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Mark Twain (Bantam): Each summer, my book club reads a classic. I haven’t picked up either of these books in years; I hope they hold up. (Incidentally, I highly recommend Ron Powers’ brilliant 2005 Twain biography, “Mark Twain: A Life.”) If I can maintain my usual book-a-week pace, I should have time for a few others. David Sedaris’ new collection? John Szwed’s Miles Davis biography, “So What”? To paraphrase “Jaws” Chief Martin Brody, I'm gonna need a bigger list. What’s on your shelf for the summer? - Todd Leopold, CNN.com Entertainment Producer |
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I have just started reading "This Republic of Suffering, Death and the American Civil War" by Drew Gilpin Faust. 620,000 soldiers died in this horrible war, and this book addresses what happened to these bold men who gave their lives for "the great cause" and the disposition of their bodies.
My great great Uncle William Hand, who fought on the side of the North, who was a New York City native, he lost his life at the Battle of Mary's Heights in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A letter from the War Department to my family states as follows: "We regret to inform you that Mr. Hand died valiantly, his head was blown off by a cannonball and he died instantly."
My ancestor was buried in a mass grave in Fredericksburg along with all the other "Yankees." How did I find this out? Several years ago, I went down to Fredericksburg to try to get information about William Hand. As I went into the Visitors Center, i asked the guard how I could find the remains of my ancestor. "Well, was he a Yankee or a Confederate?" "He fought on the side of the North" said I. "He's buried in a mass grave" said he!
A great book, I highly recommend it!
how we are hungry-dave eggers
slaughter-house five-kurt vonnegut
napalm and silly putty-george carlin (also, brain dropping)
middlesex-jeffery euginedes
Currently, reading 'Library at Night' by Alberto Manguel. I take it on the deck each night at dusk and read a couple of chapters. It makes me want to revamp my own library, take out all the college paperbacks and look to more relevant things. His take on the place of a 'library' in one's life is very illuminating.
"Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. Read it now, thank me later.
lately I've been selecting a classic author and reading all of his or her major works. by the end of the summer, I'll be done with:
dombey and son
pickwick papers
tale of two cities
Water for Elephants is an amazing, gripping story and Middlesex is brilliantly written. Pillars of the Earth will entertain you for days. Enjoy!
Hardrok Stiff and Into Thin Air by Thomas Zigal
the Lasy in the Palazzo
Peace by Richard Bausch
Thiteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Resistance by Owne Sheers
Skeletons at the Fest by Chris Bohjalian
Angelica by Arthur Phillps
and i just finished Pariah by Thomas Zigal....a five-star who-done-it with a ghost
This is ultra-light reading: The Shopaholic Series, or anything by Sophie Kinsella. Jennifer Weiner is also lots of fun. Summer reading to me means something I can read and still be interrupted by all the kids home from school!
For not-as-light, how about The Kiterunner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, or One Thousand White Women.
Read every book by Augusten Burroughs. He's fantastic!
The Shack by William Young
I read all things by Jonathan Kellerman, Janet Evanovich, Mitch Albom an Faye Kellerman. They are my top favorite authors.
I can not wait to read James Frey's new book, Julie Andrew's new book, and Girls Like Us!!!!!!
My all time, favorite books are:
Helter Skelter (about the Manson Murders)
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Up the Down Staircase (I reread this book every year)
Mila 18 (by Leon Uris)
The Stand, by Stephen King (a masterpiece, imho)
Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer
Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels by Toni McGee Causey
Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart
The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara
The above are on my immediate list. After that, I have a mountainous to-be-read pile that I can pick from depending on my reading mood (light, dark, silly, suspense, etc.)
Books I'm planning to read:
1. Fast Food Nation by Eric Scholsser
2. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
3. The World According to Garp by John Irving (read The Cider House Rules last year, it was amazing!)
4. Atlas Shrugged by Ana Rynd
6. The Deathnote Series (gotta read some manga)
Four Queens by Nancy Goldstone
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas Foster
The Singular Mark Twain by Fred Kaplan
The World WIthout Us- Alan Weisman
Sense and Sensibility- Jane Austen
The Stand- Steven King
I'm eclectic. 🙂
Just discovered Harlan Coben...will read anything by him. Also, Nora Roberts, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Kathy Reichs, Jodi Piccoult.
Candy Girl – Diablo Cody
Catch up on James Patterson
Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Just finished :
"Rhett Butler's People" by Donald McCaig. This book details the time and characters of Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind" from the prospective of Rhett Butler. As one who couldn't stand Scarlett at the end of "Gone With the Wind", it was nice to revisit the characters that I did enjoy!
Plan on reading:
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews
Ladies of Liberty by Cokie, Roberts
Devil May Care (James Bond 007 Series)
by Sebastian Faulks, Ian Fleming
and, of course, no summer reading would be complete without at least on James Patterson and Clive Cussler!
summer is for light reading at the beach
To Kill a Mocking Bird – Harper Lee
Fried Green Tomatoes – Fannie Flagg
Beach House – James Paterson
anything from Janet Evanovich
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – good book, easy to read
New:
The first two books of Nora Roberts newest Trilogy – "Blood Brothers" and "The Hollow".
"The day I ate whatever I wanted" – Elizabeth Berg
Rereads:
The three sisters trilogy – Nora Roberts
"Emma" – Jane Austen
"Midsummer Night's Dream" – Shakespeare
"Mists of Avalon" – Marion Zimmer Bradley ( I've reread this every summer for 16 years, except the one that TNT mutilated it on screen )
And who knows how many more of the many gems in my bookcase...
money's tight. It's a reread summer 🙂
I am going to read all summer "Chick Lit" classics. If you are like me, please enjoy the book, The Bachlorette Party!!!! Funny, Sexy and perfect for those over 35, 40.....
so i guess im the only one who reads poetry anymore? why do books in general or in the summer have to be easy? UGH grrr.....
Currently reading, "In the Company of the Courtesan" by Sarah Dunant. I loved "The Birth of Venus" so chose to read this one too. It's very good since I love historic novels. A little spicy too, so it's a good summer read for the pool and beach.
The Lyre of Orpheus is my favorite Robertson Davies book. Next would be What's Bred in the Bone. GREAT READS!
Anything by Dean Koontz!!! I just finished Odd Hours and I want more!!! If you're a Dean Koontz fan, you will understand!
Jane Austen works (I 've only ever read Emma)
Germaine Greer – I have never word a word but the media sexism during the Democratic race have inspired me to learn a bit about the women's movement roots.
I am a voracious reader and my list is shaping up like so:
The End of Mr. Y (S. Thomas)
Armagedon in Retrospet (Vonnegut)
The Human Stain (P. Roth)
Amsterdam (I. McEwan)
Scarlett (S. Lawhead)
"A Good and Happy Child" by Justin Evans
Very scary stuff! Will be made into a movie soon.
1. A Land As God Made It - the subject is the Jamestown settlement
2. Postively Main Street - Hunteresque account of traveling to Bob Dylan's hometown
3. The Book Thief - have been told I need to read this one
4. American Spinx - Jefferson
5. Washington's Crossing - account of Trenton and Princeton
6. Born in the Country: A History of Rural America - Ongoing preparation to write my family's history.
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard. I'm not much for history but loved this story of Theodore Roosevelt's great exploration trip down the River of Doubt in the Amazon.
i think i am just going to stick with HALO 🙂
The next Stephanie Plum novel by Janet Evanovich, Fearless Fourteen. Finished Charlaine Harris's From Dead to Worse. And I am working my way thru Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye series. Just fun reads.
One of the best books I have ever read is The Path of the Heart by William and Joy Jenkins!
After reading "The Other Boleyn Girl," we've decided to go through the works of Philipa Gregory:
"The Boleyn Inheritance"
"The Virgin's Lover"
"The Constant Princess"
"WideAcre"
"The Favored Child"
"Meridon"
I am beginning my summer reading season off with some African literature that a professor friend of mine recommended. I just finished reading Chinua Achebe's THINGS FALL APART and am now working on SO LONG A LETTER by Mariama Ba.
I would like to pick up MEIN KAMPF and read it again. I read it 16 years ago (when I was 15 almost 16). and I would like to read it again balanced against my life experiences and knowledge of historical context that I have learned over the years.
As far as bestselling/mass fiction, there is nothing out there I'd really like to read right now....
Anything by Augusten Burroughs is terrific!
"A Wolf at the Table" is the newest read.
"Dry" or "Running with Scissors" are both comedy and human tragedy at the same time. Delicious!
Planning on some light summer reading:
any thing by Jimmy Buffett
The Appeal–Grisham
Some suspense novels by J.A Jance
Currently rereading "flowers for algernon" for the 3rd time. This is the most moving book I've read in my life and the only to make me tear up. I can't believe I never discovered it in high school.
Check out first time author Laura A. Hooper's new novel at http://www.rosebudstalker.com
One of the best books of the summer!
The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Neffenegger). This book is a great summer read. It's a funny, romantic journey that you can't put down.
I am reading Stephenie Meyer's books: "Twilight", "New Moon", "Eclipse", "The Host" and finally "Breaking Dawn" when it is released in August
I love historicals. Any thing!!! Pre-17th century,most interesting. But then again, I'll read just anything. When my child was small, I read to her constantly. And when she was about five, she could read for herself. My point is, when a child can't read, a child cannot learn, so parents, do yourself a favor with your summer reading. Include books for your child and READ to them. It will be good for you, as well. Besides, what can it hurt, you may learn something, too. Incidentally, that little girl that I read to so many years ago is a lawyer.
Anything by Carl Hiassen (local Miami author, also has a column in the Miami Herald)- his books are hilarious, highlighting the insanity that is South Florida. "Stormy Weather" is my favorite so far.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein)
The Road (Cormac McCarthy)
Taxi to Tashkent (Tom Fleming)
Flawed Giant: LBJ and His Times (Robert Dallek)
"Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz
"Brother Odd" by Dean Koontz
"With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" by E. B. Sledge
"The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" by Francis Collins
"Ghosts Among Us" by James Van Praagh
Books I would highly recommend:
Pillars of the Earth/World Without End (Follett)
the entire Clan of the Cave Bear series (Jean Auel)
The Color Purple (Alice Walker)
The Time Traveler's Wife (Audrey Neffenegger) (read it before the movie comes out!)
The Stand (uncut version) (Stephen King)
Bag of Bones (Stephen King)
The Oil Age is Over: Deal With Reality or Reality Will Deal With You (Matt Savinar)
On my list for this summer:
The Prophet's Way (Thom Hartmann)
Walking Your Blues Away (Thom Hartmann)
anything about Peak Oil that my boyfriend thrusts upon me *L*
Currently Reading:
Where In The World Is Osama bin Laden (Morgan Spurlock)
And as someone above said, the library is awesome!! All those free books just make me want to swoon!
Nice to Come Home To – by Rebecca Flowers
I'm rereading all of Peter Robinson's books with his character, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. I've read them all over time, but now have collected them and will do them in order.
I recently discovered author Denise Mina. Her books take place in Glasgow, Scotland.. I liked the Garnet Hill Trilogy.
Politically: The Nine, The Commission, Obama's books, and Senator Lincoln Chafee's new memoir. Sports – right now my husband is reading a book about Terry Francona by Michael Holley and I'm on Mike Lowell's book. Both very good, especially if you're a Red Sox fan.
Lots of good reading out there for the summer of '08.
Summer is for sizzlers- "Big City, Bad Blood" by Sean Chercover and "Hardcore Hardboiled" Edited by Todd Robinson. I'm really looking forward to Lee Child's "Nothing to Lose", and Chercover's "Trigger City" which I hope come out soon.
Evidence of Things Unseen Marianne Wiggins
Water for Elephants Sara Gruen
Persepolis Marjane Satrapi
Longitude Dava Sobel
Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes Cathcart and Klein
American Bloomsbury Susan Cheever
Just finished The Bielski Brothers by Peter Duffy, On the Road and Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs
The God Principle by John Rekesh is one of the best books I have ever read. It changed the way I looked at life.
My book list
1. Treasure Island
2. Breaking Dawn (go to stepheniemeyer.com to learn more)
3. The Host (again stepheniemeyer.com)
4. Inkheart
5. Shadow Children series by Haddix
6. Narnia books
These are all books that anyone can get into and enjoy.
"The Richest Season," By Maryann McFadden
Coming out next week from Hyperion.
ANYTHING BY HARRY TURTLEDOVE AND ROBERT CONROY'S 1900,1861 AND 1945. Micheal Dobson and Douglas Niles books
Breaking Dawn
The Shack
Redeeming Love
Any new Janet Evanovich or James Patterson books
Couples by John Updike along with Heartburn by Nora Ephron are my standard summer reading. New books include The Big Why by Michael Winter and Air above Water by Elizabeth Hay.
New Prey book by John Sanford
New book by Nevada Barr
Dreams of my father -Barack Obama
Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama
The Tipping Point – Malcom Gladwell
Catcher in the Rye – J.D Salinger
Death of a revoluntionary , Che Guevera .
The Art of War
Rose that grew from concrete .
OBAMA 2008- 2016
If i get the time between jobs and college courses I plan on reading quite a few books.
1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
2. The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (again) by J.K. Rowling
4. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
5. The Marshall Plan to Novel Writing
6. Ranger's Apprentice book 3
7. Ranger's Apprentice book 4
8. The Wizard Heir
9. Pillars of the Earth
And whatever else may pop up along the way. The list is ambitious.
"The Giver" by Lois Lowry- Amazing Book!!!
"Night"- Elie Wiesel (not for those with a sensitive stomach, but still highly reccomended for those interested in the Holocaust)
Wicked
The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
By
Gregory Maguire
into the wild, jon krakauer
yiddish policeman's union, michael chabon
the maltese falcon, dashell hammett
torso, brian michael bendis
a modern world, michael chabon
how we are hungry, dave eggers
the road, cormac mccarthy
One of the best books that I've picked up in the last year is an independent called "Toilet Bowl Soup: Redneck Tales from the Armpit of America" by Mike Adams. This book is hilarious and I take it with me every time I travel. There is a website http://www.toiletbowlsoup.com
Letters to a young therapist
Eat, Pray, & Love
And whatever else falls into my lap
I just read "Swine Not", Jimmy Buffett's new book – quick, enjoyable read. Janet Evanovich's new one coming out soon, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett has been waiting in a pile of others. I may finally get to that one. I also am awaiting the arrival of Bobby Murcer's autobiography "Yankee for Life". I ordered it this week and am a HUGE Murcer fan as well as a lifelong NY Yankees fan
Summer is fiction.
It's the light and easy beach reads. The books that you can keep in your car or in your bag and mix them up several times without missing to much in between.
I love the lists already posted.
Who said reading was a thing of the past?
Looks like a lot of people are still enjoying a good read.
Janet Evonavich 14 is my must.
Last thirteen years I read all the old ones again and then donate them to local libraries or book drives to get them out and shared with others.
Remember to pass on a good book to others.
Hell, pass on a bad book to others. Someone else may like ?
"Water for Elephants"
Anything by James Patterson....he is amazing. (Make sure that you read the Cross series ...very excellent.)
When Janet Evanovich's new book comes out ....my entire family will be reading it this summer!
I just started the Stephanie Myer series....good so far...something totally different, but very good.
Probably be reading some of the classics such as Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austin as well.
I hit return by accident on my previous post. I mean to also mention Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, which I plan to read when it hits paperback in July.
The new Bond novel, Devil May Care
Golden Compass
The Book of the Damned: The Collected Works of Charles Fort (He was the original real-life Fox Mulder back in the early 20th Century)
And I'm also about 2/3 of the way through a years-long project to read the complete Simon Templar "The Saint" mystery series by Leslie Charteris, so there will be more of those read over the summer, too.
Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes was a great read, I am looking forward to reading the Barbara Walter's memoir as well as James Patterson's upcoming novel, SAIL.
Blood Noir-Laurell K Hamilton
Blue Smoke and Mirrors-Elizabeth Lowell
Tail Spin-Catherine Coulter
Death Angel-Linda Howard
Cry Wolf-Patricia Briggs
Tribute-Nora Roberts
Heart Fate-Robin D Owens
Meliting Stones-Tamora Pierce
I am currently reading "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet, and have to say that it is an incredible read!! So on my list for the summer is the sequel "World without End". I am quite excited that when I am finished with this book that I have another one to jump straight into.
Can't wait to get my hands on the new comedic caper by Toni McGee Causey. Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not-exactly) Family Jewels is in bookstores this week.
Her first book, Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day was my favorite read of last year. I think I fell off my couch about ten times from laughing too hard during reading.
You can check out the author's site:
http://tonimcgeecausey.com
Also LOVE Lisa Lutz, The Spellman Files.
And anything by Harlen Coben and Robert Crais that I haven't read already.
Patricia, I spent a summer reading AnaisNin, DjunaBarnes when I was 18, and it changed my life. Don't miss Nin's exquisite diaries.
Brian: Wish we could sit and talk about Gertrude Bell together. Don't miss one I'm reading right now, too:
A Winter in Arabia by Freya Stark
Other reads in my pile: the Wretched of the Earth and Black Skin, White Masks, by Frantz Fanon, a psychiatrist in Algeria during the war, his theories and reflections on being black, being traumatized by revolution, and the methods of revolutions.
Naguib Mafouz, Palace Walk–a trilogy, political fiction, Egypt, 1920s
Al Sadr–new book just out
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, schitzy/funnyabout New Orleans, fiction discovered posthumously by Walker Percy, won Pulitzer–amazing writing not to be missed by lovers of The Big Easy!
Anybody with even a vague interest in wine should read "The Billionaire's Vinegar" by Benjamin Wallace. I just finished it and it is so well written that it reads more smoothly than even the best fiction and is very researched.
The Appeal
The Other Boleyn Sister
The Appeal – John Grisham
1. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
3. Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks
4. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
5. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
6. Einstein by Walter Isaacson
7. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
8. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
9. The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
10. The Andromeda Strain by Michel Crichton
The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden. I know some book club members that had an advanced copy and loved it. Officially comes out next week.
Whatever catches my eye. Can't wait to find out what that is!!!
Arthur Schlesinger's "The Imperial Presidency," "The Thousand Days," "Robert F. Kennedy and His Times;" Richard Hofstadter's "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life;" all of Robert Caro's three-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson, "The Years of Lyndon Johnson," Jeff Shesol's "Mutual Contempt" (a re-read, now that I've read a biography of Lyndon Johnson. Just having Robert Kennedy's life's perspective wasn't enough to fully comprehend Shesol's analysis the first time through.)
Incidentally, I read Evan Thomas' biography of , and it certainly moved me to tears. "Nixonland" and Thurston Clarke's “The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America” are on my list, if I have time.
Obviously a very politically and historically oriented crop of summer reading for me.
you have to check out Barry Eisler's series of books about John Rain!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED all of them....
You can go to BarryEisler.com to get more info...
I read a book a week. The following are upcoming planned reads:
Nortre Dame vs the Klan by Todd Tucker
Adirondack French Louie by Harvey L. Dunham
Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhin Venkatesh
Ike: An American Hero by Michael Korda
Lincoln Unmasked by Thomas DiLorenzo
The Real Lincoln by Thomas DiLorenzo
Slipknot by Linda Greenlaw
On Liberty by John Stewart Mill
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
The Diana Gabaldon 'Outlander' series is excellent, though each book tops 800 pages so don't plan on accomplishing much else while immersed. No matter, fans of "Herself" LOVE big books! I can also HIGHLY recommend Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and sequel "World Without End".
The Road
"Snuff" by Chuck Palahniuk
Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry
The Andromeda Strain, which I am fairly certain I read back at age 11 or something, but have completely forgotten by now
Russian Prison Tattoos and the Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia
I'm also planning to reread all the Edward Eager books I've not picked up in years, and a thousand other things along the way.
Anyone who hasn't read Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer yet should put that on their list, along with the film.
Fiction:
"The Garden of Last Days" Andre Dubus III – I'm surprised this book hasn't gotten more press considering the success of "House of Sand and Fog." If this this is as good as that one, then it's an amazing book.
"A Good and Happy Child" Justin Evans
"So Brave, Young, and Handsome" Leif Enger- Enger's earlier "Peace Like a River" is a beautiful book; I'm sure this will be wonderful as well.
"Mister Pip" Lloyd Jones
Nonfiction:
"Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein
"The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation" Drew Weston
"The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives" Leonard Mlodinow
"Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets" Sudhir Venkatesh
I'm halfway through Amanda Rio, by Steven Donahue, a book about domestic violence. Not too many people know about this book, but I strongly recommend it. So far, it's been terrific.
An American Tragedy – Theodore Dreiser
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven – Sherman Alexie
Jacob's Room – Virginia Woolf
Three Lives – Gertrude Stein
Days of Obligation: An Argument with My Mexican Father – Richard Rodriguez
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
**I also have a few plays by Henrik Ibsen I'd like to read...if there's time
Finally getting to: Schulz and Peanuts – a bio by David Michaelis
Child 44 – Tom Rob Smith
His Excellency – George Washington – Joseph Ellis
The Promise: God's Purpose & Plan For When Life Hurts – Fr. Johnathan Morris
just a few to name a few
The Book Thief – by Markus Zusak
The Power of One – by Bryce Courtenay
Girls Like Us – about the lives of Carly Simon, Carole King and Joni Mitchell. Started this one and it's very interesting.
Finishing the Stephanie Plum Chronicles by Janet Evanovich
Looking forward to "Lush Life" and a new biography of Willie Nelson.
Michael Morshed's debut novella, "No Room for Innocence". It's about three 20 something's trying to make their way through a current day that is on the cusp of societal change. Petty theft, mobsters, bar drinking, girlfriends and infidelities, it's packed with relatable emotions and cuts deep to what it means to be human these days. Great illustrations in it too! A good quick read.
March by Geraldine Brooks
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Read People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Monrths and Beyond
The Emperor's Children (trying to finish this never-ending snoozer; not a recommended read)
Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution
Fallen Founder: The KLife of Aaron Burr
Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations
When You Are Engulfed in Flames (Sedaris)
The 13th Tale
If I have time, I will likely throw in some Hemmingway
World War Z – Max Brooks – Again
The Zombie Survival Guide – Max Brooks
Monster Nation – David Wellington
Autobiography of a Face, by Lucy Grealy. I just finished Truth and Beauty, based on Grealy's life, and cannot WAIT to read her story.
and re-reading David Peterson's On The Wild Edge and Pete Fromm's Indian Creek Cronicles – a classic
Finish Eat, Pray, Love
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming
The Road by Cormac Mccarthy
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman -
real uplifting stuff!
Number one book this summer I cannot wait to read: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer! I have it marked on my calendar and can't wait to get my hands on this one!
"Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weller. If you are a baby boomer, you will love the behind-the-scenes stories about Carole King, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell. Very interesting reading.
1. "William Clark: Indian Diplomat", by Jay H. Buckley (actually, I'm over halfway through with this one right now... an interesting book that offers no apologies, merely explanations for how one man implemented American policy towards the Native Americans from about 1815 to 1836)
2. "George Washington's Secret Navy", by James L. Nelson
3. "Built to Move Millions: Streetcar Building in Ohio", by Craig R. Semsel
4. "The New York, Westchester and Boston Railway: J. P. Morgan's Magnificent Mistake", by Herbert H. Harwood Jr.
The Heroin Diaries is a great read-it's a look into the drug world through the eyes of the taker. It's a great non-committal read, easy to follow, yet totally foreign to a non-drug user. I grew up in the "just say no" generation. Jodi Pouchoult is always a great choice, always a page turner.
Finishing up:
For Whom the Bell Tolls – Hemingway
Troubled Sleep – Jean Paul Sartre
On the list for the rest of Summer:
Lolita – Nabokov
The Sun Also Rises – Hemingway
A Moveable Feast – Hemingway
The Sound and the Fury – Faulkner
100 Years of Solitude – Marquez
No present author can stand up to the likes of Fitzgerald or Hemingway, which is unfortunate.
I recommend everyone read The Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. This is a true story about the lost of lives of some of the bravest men that ever walked the face of this earth. This book has changed the way i view life, and changed what i view as a challenge. I have NEVER in my 35 yrs been so deeply touched by a book. Everyone i've shared this story with has the same response. Please read, i promise, you won't regret the time it takes.
well i have my books in order on how i want to read them
1. The Right Hand of Evil- JOHN SAUL
2. SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS
3. VANISHING ACTS
Try "The God Principle " by John Rekesh. It is an excellent book.
Confessions of an Economic Hitman (NY Times Bestselling fictionalized memoir about how the global economy is linked to corporate economic forecasting). I can't put it down.
Next up is of course McClellan's memoir.
Voices of Autism the healiing companion : a volume of real stories
about the disease. Reading this collection gives comfort to families
coping with some very difficult times. Profits from the book will be donated to The Healing Project, a not-for-profit organization.
The only one I'm trying to get to for certain is The Omnivore's Dilemma. Luckily, my city expanded the library budget to enable each branch to open six days a week instead of five–so now I can go on Saturdays (if it weren't open on the weekends, it would be useless to me). I just run into the library once a week and pick up what strikes me at the time. It's a nice suprise every week!
I'm finding lots of wonderful stuff published "on demand" (amazon.com and others offer such services to new authors), perfect for light "summer reading." Just finished a nifty sci-fi/ghost story called "Quantum Acres" by Gregory Zeller ... scary, exciting, funny fun!!
"Roots" by Alex Haley
"Robert Kennedy" by Evan Thomas
"This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Night" by Elie Wiesel
The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden. It comes out next week - I can't wait!!!!!!
The Salterton trilogy isn't as good as the Deptford trilogy. The second book (Tempest-Tost) is some fun, especially if you've ever worked in amateur theatre) and the third book (A Mixture of Frailties) is excellent, as Davies always is when writing about artists (in this case, a budding opera singer). However, the first book (Leaven of Malice) isn't great. (I may have the order of the first two books wrong–either way it's one very good back, one OK book, and a not so great book).
On the other hand, Davies' Cornish trilogy starts with a not-so great novel (Rebel Angels) which does finish with a fabulous sexual perversion. But both of the next two books (What's Bred in the Bone, Lyre of Orpheus) are excellent. It might be a better second choice after the Deptford trilogy.
already read:
on the road
reading these this summer:
the god delusion
the monkey-wrench gang
zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance
hopefully i can get to a couple of kurt vonneguts before the end of summer
Murder at the Bad Girls Bar & Grill by N.M. Kelby
Infected by Scott Sigler
Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. by Chelsea Handler
Odd Hours by Dean Koontz
Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughn
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
"Can't Stop, Won't Stop: The History of Hip Hop"
Slash and the Heroin Diaries.
These books are a tremdous read and an intense look into the lives of two of the most hardcore rockstars of our time.
Check these out if you love to ROCK!
The entire Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I've read them before but absolutley have to read them again before the fourth and final book comes out in August and the first movie in December. I highly reccomend these books to anyone.
Other books: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and a few others I have yet to stumble across.
The Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia Drake.
Important books!!!
Global Brain – Howard Bloom
On Combat – Dave Grossman
I like reading adventures.
Anything by Clive Cussler and I can't be bothered.
Every 5 years or so, I reread To Kill A Mockingbird.
Such an amazing piece of American Lit. And a pretty good movie as well!
Summer means escaping, so the more fun the book the better.
Saved by Jack Falla
Outrage by Dick Morris
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
Henry and June – Anais Nin
Nightwood – Dijuna Barns
The Lover – Margueritte Duras
Glenavaron – Lady Caroline Lamb
Ladies of Grace Adieu – Suzanna Clark
John Adams- David McCullough
I'm with Resheda and her friend. I plan to read all Jane Austen plus other books written about Jane or sequels to her originals! I will take Austen books with me when I travel to France and Spain this summer.
Rosebud Stalker by Laura Hooper. Great book for a first-time author, but can only be purchased online at her website: rosebudstalker.com.
I'm looking forward to her next one!!
It's going to be a full-time job just to keep up with the books all my favorite authors are releasing in the next few weeks: Ruth Rendell, David Sedaris, Marian Keyes and Janet Evanovich all have books coming out. I've also recently discovered the adorable "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith, so that should keep me busy for the rest of the summer!
I'm a self-confessed non-fiction junkie. I cannot wait to read Scott McClellan's revealing account of his time as the press secretary in the Bush White House.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly sounds intriguing to me as well.
Believe it or not, some of the best books I've read over the last couple of years have been featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report. They select some of the most articulate and fascinating authors to feature. (Better than some of the soppy stuff Oprah chooses.)
1) Re-reading "The Dark Tower" by Stephen King
2) Raymond Feist's new book
3) George RR Martin's new "A Song of Ice and Fire" Novel – when it comes out
An unfinished life (about the life of jfk)
The greatest generation-Tom Brokaw
Eat, Love, Pray
My list may be a bit different from what others have posted thus far... I am a high school teacher and read things that I can put on my classroom shelf and recommend/relate to my students. However, all of these books are splendid for adult readers as well since it takes us out of that 'real world' landscape and into smaller problems and bigger joys:
1. Breaking Dawn (Stephanie Meyer) **This is the highly anticipated 4th edition of the Twilight Series - I highly recommend the entire series! These books are receiving high acclaims by both teens and adults all across the world (PS. I am in love with Edward just like all other female readers of this series!)**
2. The Looking Glass Wars (Frank Beddor)
3. Lock and Key (Sarah Dessen)
5. Peter Pan (J. Barrie)
The Unexpected and Fictional Career Change of Jim Kearns, by David Munroe, a funny and totally identifiable memoir of an average guy; The Outsider by Albert Camus and the Amber Series by Roger Zelazny.
Stephen King's Dark Tower series and related books.
I believe summer reads by definition should be something light, not mentally taxing, and something you don't mind getting wet, sandy, or covered with sunscreen at the beach
I'm starting with Candy Everybody Wants by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Varney the Vampire by James Malcolm Rymer (who wrote Sweeney Todd) and The Haunted Palace by Mrs. Yorke (1801).
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
"Absolution Denied" looks like a great mystery from a new writer named Jeff Reindl. I think it will be a great summer read.
Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey
Note of a Dirty Old Man by Charles Bukowski
The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin
The Cowboy and His Elephant by Malcolm MacPherson
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts (this one should take most of the summer!)
John Adams – about a third of the way through and this is great. After watching the miniseries I needed more and this book is providing it.
The Hobbit – reading for the umpteenth time, now with my 9-year old daughter.
"Spencer Hurley and the Aliens". Reading it to the kids. It's a new novel series for kids. It's about a brother and sister that get abducted by aliens.
Read The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat.
I applaud you for choosing Twain. I suggest reading Puddnhead Wilson instead of Tom Sawyer; it's actually a better complement to Huck Finn.
1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
2. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
3. What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and Their Trainers by Amy Sutherland
4. Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
5. America: The Last Best Hope V.1 by William J. Bennett
6. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
"stop the madness" by amy goodman and david goodman. it's a horror story, especially the librarian part and the Patriot Act parts. it's like a lost script of Rod Serling's.
chilling.
http://www.timbullard.com
I'm reading all of E.M. Forster's books this summer. Nerdy, I know, but he's an author I managed to avoid all through college. I feel guilty about that, especially after loving Zadie Smith's "On Beauty" so much (it's based on Forster's "Howard's End"). Started with his first, and I'm loving it so far.
All of the Harry Potter books!!!
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" by Jean-Dominque Bauby. An incredibly moving story about the former editor of French Elle who suffered a stroke leaving him completely paralyzed with the exception of one eyelid. His physical therapist created a communication system – certain letters corresponded with a winking pattern. Using this system he penned this masterpiece about his life.
Why you try "100 Great American Novels You Should Have Read but (Probably) Didn't"? Great selection of overlooked and lesser known American novels from the past 200 years.
"Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea." This book by Chelsea Handler, host of Chelsea Lately on E, is one of the most humorous books I have read. She is to the point and honest with all she has to say with being funny and sometimes going over the line which makes it that much better.
"The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin – an account of the formation of the Federal Reserve by a group of early ultra-rich.
Since this is the 100th birthday year for Ian Fleming, I am reading all of the original 007 James Bond novels in order of publication. I am also looking forward to "Devil May Care," the new 007 novel by Sebastian Faulks that is supposedly written in the original Fleming style.
A friend and I are reading Jane Austen's collection this summer. Both of us recall reading a few in high school but neither of us retained much.
The Golden Notebook
The Darkest Child
A Clockwork Orange
What is the What
The Grapes of Wrath
"All We Ever Wanted Was Everything" by Janelle Brown. About a family blowing up in the excesses of the dot com boom. Sounds hilarious and sharp and getting really good reviews.