Orpah Magazine had a list of 27 books for summer reading in the latest issue. Now, I have nothing against Oprah books, but I gotta say that reading doesn’t have to be so…serious.
So, thinking some of you probably agree with me, here are some of my picks:
How to Knit a Wild Bikini, by Christie Ridgway. In the interest of full disclosure, she is my very good friend, but also in the interest of full disclosure, she’s an intelligent, sexy comedic writer with a lot of pizzazz.
The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger, which I read when it first came out and adored. I’m mentioning it because my eldest just read it and was as demolished and haunted by it as I was. If you’ve never read it, oh baby, I’m jealous.
Miss American Pie, A Diary of Love, Secrets, and Growing Up In the Seventies by Margaret Sartor. Because I did. And because if you did, you know that song was played 4310 times every single day, to the point that every word is engraved on your heart. I haven’t read this one yet, but I’m going to.
The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen. Because Garden Spells is one of the best books I’ve read in five years, and I have been saving (carefully) this one, but now I don’t think I can wait one second longer.
Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos, because it is heart wrenching and beautiful and funny and you will like it. Trust me.
Your turn: what should I put on my list? I’ve got some seriously long flights to fill.
I read The Time Traveller’s Wife last summer and I loved it. It was very interesting to get the sciency-ness and the love story interwoven. Thank you for this book list, I am so on it! m
I’ve just started reading Abide With Me by Elizabeth Stout, and I think it’s one you’d enjoy. I’ve also got Miss American Pie on my wishlist–looks like the perfect summer book. Oh, and I want to read that one about the woman who entered all those contests in the 50s (I think) and supported her family on the winnings.
Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my favorite books.
Garden Spells sits in wait on my bedside table; I’ll start it as soon as I finish the gripping The Stolen Child.
For great women’s fiction, how about Marsha Moyer’s The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch?
For a blend of women’s fiction and fantasy, I lovedlovedloved Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest.
Happy reading!
I’m reading the Sugar Queen right now and I just love, love, love it. It’s a wonderfully magical read. Unbelievable yet totally believable.
I’ve read Garden Spells and also loved that. The next to be read book is Nice to Come Home To, by Rebecca Flowers.
Teri, I have wondered about Daughter of the Forest. I’ll put that on the list.
Hey, hb. Saw that your blog is gone, but I can at least see you here. 🙂 Come back often.
Gabrielle, tell us about the Strout when you finish.
Peggy–isn’t Sarah Addison Allen just a delight?
Oh, and I forgot one that’s on my TBR pile: Church of the Dog by Kaya McLaren
Hello Barbara. Your web site is a peaceful pool for me after a couple of hours thrashing around passionate political blogs.
I was blown away by Richard Russo’s “Bridge of Sighs”. It’s about who leaves the hometown for the wider world and who doesn’t and where youthful choices lead us late in life. Masterful writing, my eyes burned from reading it
long after a decent bedtime.
The Sugar Queen just blew me away. I loved it and I’m saving my pennies to buy the next novel. Actually Barb, she reminds me a bit of you. No wonder I liked it so much!!
Have you read Joyce Carol Oates “Middle Age”? I read it probably last summer and it haunts me still. I know your aversion to Richard Russo but “Bridge of Sighs” was wonderful and disturbing and rich all that the same time.
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” is on my list as is Kris Radish’s “Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA”. I like Kris. She’s light but deep at the same time. Maybe good for summertime when nothing should be too deep.
My mother is a big fan of Kris Radish, too. I’ll look for the JC Oates. Haunted is a good word.
I have been reading the Geography of Bliss, and it is a delight. I’m saving The Sugar Queen for the flight home Thursday.