Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Summer Reading

I love summer reading – it’s like ice cream on a hot day without the calories! I move from genre to genre, somehow always coming back to the mystery or the suspense/thriller category, though. There’s just something about trying to figure out whodunit, while sitting in the shade of an oak or maple tree, even a shade umbrella, that relaxes me. I don’t consider summer reading the time for fluff either – I love books and reading at any time, but somehow, the relaxation of summer means it’s okay to spend an afternoon reading.

Right now, I have a couple of books on the go. I just finished the newest Elizabeth Peters’ offering A River in the Sky and, as always, enjoyed it. I also recently read Michelle Moran’s Cleopatra’s Daughter. Tried and true – I’m reading James Rollins’ Altar of Eden on my iPod Touch. Just getting started on this one, but I can always count on the perfect summer read from this author.

I’m waiting for the new James Patterson and Maxine Paetro Women’s Murder Club novel – The 9th Judgment. I love this series (and wish the tv series had lasted longer). I also like how Patterson works with other authors – can you imagine the career boost (even if you’re already successful) of working with Patterson. It’s a guaranteed sale to the publisher and lots of sales, and thus royalties. I’m not sure how the collaboration works, but it would be fantastic to have the opportunity to work with an author like Patterson who has the process down to a fine art when it comes to writing, marketing, publicity, etc.

Anyway, what are your favorite summer reads that you’re either already indulging in or looking forward to reading?

5 comments:

Liz said...

I just finished listening to "River in the Sky." Did you find it hard to go back in time, so to speak, to earlier days, before Nefret and Ramses were married, etc.? I have to admit I found it VERY disconcerting at first, but after a while I adjusted. And I enjoyed the book.

Am currently reading The Deadfall Project by Brett James, who write sand directs movies, so knows a thing or two about plotting and action. An ex-CIA agent is trying to save the world and defuse a bomb and a war, racing across France with his ex-wife. Lots of secrets, lots of underhanded dealings, plus an old-school spy dealing with modern terrorism. Very fast-paced and enjoyable.

I'm also looking forward to the latest John Sandford "prey" book, am eagerly, eargerly awaiting the audio of the Julia Spencer-Fleming book, "One Was a Soldier," and am thoroughly enjoying listening to an audiobook that I only found out about because they recommended it at the end of "River in the Sky." It's by David Hosp, whom I'd never heard of before then. I'd tell you the title, but truthfully, I can't remember, because I just grabbed the only one available at our library. I think it's "The Betrayed."

That's my list for the moment! And I love, love love summer reading too.

Terry Odell said...

I just picked up Laura Griffin's backlist after reading Untraceable.

But I don't classify my reading by season. I just read.

Helen Ginger said...

Right now, I think my next read will be Shadow of Betrayal by Brett Battles. Haven't started it, but it looks interesting.

Helen
Straight From Hel

Libby McKinmer said...

Oh, boy -- thanks! You've all helped add to my To-Be-Read pile.

Re A River in the Sky -- yes, I did have to adjust to Nefret & Ramses' relationship. We'd all cheered so long for them to be married, it felt "odd" to go back, so to speak.

Morgan Mandel said...

I like that bit about ice cream on a summer day. Somehow I don't get those cravings for ice cream in the winter, but at this time of year it's a different story.

I hope to get some more reading in over the holiday weekend.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel