Summer Reading

[cheapdiva]

As mentioned on another thread - I am a HUGE fan of the printed word. Books, magazines, newspapers . . . ever since I was a little kid I'd read anything and everything. I am passionate about books.
Let's talk books!

Currently I am tearing through "The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Steig Larsson, the second of the "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series. I saw the "Dragon" movie (the Swedish version, an American one is in production) before reading the book. The "Fire" movie opened here last week and we plan on seeing it this weekend BUT I would not see this one until after I finished the book. Started it last Thursday and will be finished tonight - it IS as good as everyone said.

Next up - Richard Russo's (one of my absolute favorite's) newest book.

[mac78]

I am not one to sit and read, I just can't find the time. Does reading educational books count? My daughter Ashley used to read a lot, the whole Harry Potter series, Twilight, she spent hours and hours reading. I did start a book on Princess Diana a couple days ago my neighbor bought at a garage sale.

[Lynzee]

The Little Princess finished first grade last year and there was a requirement that each first grader read 20 books during summer vacation, so I am being read to this summer. We're currently reading, "Junie B. Jones is Almost a Bridesmaid". :D

[vintage girl]

I am a very very big fan of Stephen King, Danielle Steel, and Robin Cook. And of course I am completely addicted to those cheap little romance novels that can be read in a couple of hours. I got hooked on them years ago when I found a huge box at a garage sale for free. We were heading out on vacation the following day and figured they would be good to read while laying by the lake while hubs fished. I have been addicted ever since. I think it is because you don't have to think, you just relax and enjoy. Hubs has been making fun of me for years about my "cheesy" romance novels. I also love horror and mystery novels. I buy a lot of books at my local used bookstore and also from the library. When I am done, I donate them back. It is funny that you mentioned your passion for reading since you were young CD. I spent all my summers every single day at the library. I dreamed of growing up and being a librarian. I adore reading. When I open a book I am in another world. It is sad that over the past couple years I have gotten away from reading. Last night when I got home I pulled out one of my romance novels and sat outside until after dark reading. Even the dogs just layed there and relaxed. It was heaven:)

[Lynzee]

I am a huge fan of Stephen King! I also love Dean Koontz, Clive Cussler and Patricia Cornwall. I used to read all the time--always had a book with me wherever I was--but I never seem to have time anymore. I really think I need to change that.

[MaryK]

I love to read. I just finished "How Starbucks Saved My Life".
Just started Jodi Picoult's "Change of Heart".

MaryK

[shabbychick]

I am one of the luckiest people in the world in that my job as a school librarian requires me to read. I know, what a burden! :D I read lots and lots of young adult novels, many of which are as good as, if not better than, the books written for adults. Last summer I sped through the Twilight novels (loved them!) and have been busy keeping up with the worlds of vampires and zombies ever since. I've read most of Scott Westerfeld's books, which are great sci-fi romps. I do read adult books (aside from the professional reading I have to do). I love mysteries. I used to read a lot of Patricia Cornwell, but she has just gotten too dark for my tastes. I love anything by Aaron Elkins, particularly his Gideon Oliver mystery series. He's a local author and just wonderful. I have loved to read all my life. I can remember my parents reading us poetry when we were little tiny kids and then reading those books by myself as soon as I was able to read. As a consequence, I never thought the classics were too hard or too boring and can still remember being anxious to get far enough along in school to read Shakespeare. There is tremendous value in taking time to read great literature to kids when they're still too young to even think about being intimidated by the fact that they don't really understand it. I am never without a book. I carry books in the car in case I decide to eat out so that I'll have something to read, and I am always either reading a book or reading at the computer during meals (not good for weight control, I know, but a habit I can't break). I don't think I could survive without books!

[cheapdiva]

So glad there are readers here! I have started a reading list on my itouch. I stopped buying books a couple of years ago when finances were tight and went back to the library - one of my most favorite places on earth!! (Libraries and hardware stores, what could be better?!)

Now I just request books online and then pick them up when my local library sends me an email saying my book is in. It's great because I can just run in and get my book while I am headed home at the end of the day or out running errands for work.

Keep those suggestions coming!

[yarborough house]

I read Jodi Picoult's My sisters keeper at the beach. What an amazing book - had me the whole time. I rarely get time to read much with all the kids, the furniture painting, cooking, cleaning and well breathing. That last one takes all the extra time I have :) But when I do start a book - I am bad because I sit down and read till it is done. It overtakes me and all else falls to the side.

[Breezy]

I just started reading "Rentless" by Dean Koontz. I also enjoy books by Mary Higgins Clark. Both Clark and Koontz are excellent suspense authors and I've read several books by each of them.

[RoseMary]

I just finished Koontz's The Darkest Evening of the Year. I like Dean Koontz novels, but tend to get a little 'creeped out' when I read them. I never read two of his in a row:p. Right now, I'm reading a romance and then will read probably read another suspense type novel.

[rubyslippers]

Hello everyone,

I have had a rough summer; I had surgery on a tendon in my ankle and am in physical therapy all the time trying to get ready to start the school year. I am teeming with a zillion ideas for my little house I will share with you throughout the fall, but in the meantime,THE ENGLISH TEACHER IN ME CANNOT BELIEVE I MISSED THIS THREAD!

I have a MUST read for you Maria: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is outstanding. This summer, while recovering, I read a few romance and mystery novels with a little vampire thrown in here and there. However, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society wormed its way into my heart as one of those "real" books I will remember for awhile. You will love this one.

Cheers everyone ... happy gardening and reading in these final hot and hazy days of summer! :)

[chyna]

Breezy
Relentless is an excellent book. I can't really think of what book I'm on, I breeze thru books so quick that I can't even keep track. :o I loved the library as a kid, just devoured Nancy Drew. I'm reading magazines at the moment until I find another book series.

[Breezy]

Tanya - have you read Lightning by Koontz? I really enjoyed that book.

RoseMary - what did you think of The Darkest Evening of the Year? I haven't read it yet and was wondering what you thought of it.

[RoseMary]

Breezy~I liked The Darkest Evening of the Year. I read Breathless right before it, and really thought The Darkest Evening was better. I still have Relentless on my shelf and haven't started it, yet.

I looked up the book that Jenny, aka Rubyslippers, mentioned and it sounds like a very good read.

[rubyslippers]

Hello, As many of you know, I love to read everything. I teach the classics all the time; so, I sometimes get bogged down in things that are too literary and not enough fun. With that said, The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society is my favorite "surprise" book of the summer. It is known as an epistolary novel. This simply means that it is a lot of letters back and forth between the characters. This is not a form of writing I usually love; however, by about page 20-ish, you are generally caught-up with the story. In some ways, it reads with the warmth and accessibility of a blog. It is a very sweet and thoughtful story. It is not "light" reading because it addresses difficult themes, but it is told with a very sweet angle and tells the story of a small community. There is a lot of "cottage-style" friendship and warmth in this book. I encourage you to check it out of the library!



http://www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Peel-Society/dp/0385340990

[chyna]

Yes I have read Lightning, I think I read it before Relentless and as usual enjoyed it. I really like his Odd series, it is goofy yes supernatural. And who doesn't love ghost dogs. :p