Right now I am reading the Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood (the movie was alright, but did not do the book justice). I also just finished reading Little Alters Everywhere which is by the same author.

This summer I've also read The Summons by John Grisham and Cane River by Lalita Tademy.

Another vote for Bel Canto. I'm just starting Attonement and it's already taken over! I, long ago, read "Yellow Raft in Blue Water" by Michael Dorris. It is a great beach book! Try short stories by Lorrie Moore or anything by Laurie Colwin.

Whoops...almost forgot any short stories by Ellen Gilchrist. And..for serious but inspiring reading "Fugitive Pieces"..sorry forgot the author.

Harry Potter--was absolutly wonderful! My husband hasn't read any of the books, but is going to, since he has no idea what my sister and I are talking about.

Little Alters Everywhere and Ya Ya Sisterhood--great books, movie didn't come close to how great the book is.

Nanny Diaries--more sad than funny. I couldn't stand the way the parents treated the nanny or the child.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood--great books about teen girls coming to age.

Any of the Callahan books by Spider Robinson--si-fi that take place in a bar, and the patrons who save the world.

The Devil Wears Prada--just got it, and I'm saving it for my vacation. I hope it's as good as the reviews I've read.

Chicken Soup for the Soul--I have nurse's soul and sister's soul, both have moved me to tears.

I cant think of any more, even though I was just at the book store.

^ My parents got me Chicken soup for the teenage soul when I was in high school and I thought it sucked. Then I read C.S. for the Pet Lovers soul my freshman year in college and I wet the pages I cried so hard

Golly, Paul, don't you know that Hillary didn't even write her own book. She essentially admits that on the acknowledgement pages. To be fair, few of these political types do. Moynihan did. Ex-Sen. Paul Simon did. Buchanan and Nader write their own books. But Mr. Morals, William "Mr. Vegas" Bennett, has his books ghost-written. General Powell's was ghosted. Limbaugh and Hannity (who might have a hard time writing a coherent paragraph) had their books ghosted. Tom Brokaw's book on the "Greatest Generation" was ghosted.

Just finished Kitchen Confidential and I think it qualifies!(Anthony Bourdain)I think I will pick up his mysteries and see if they are as entertaining. I wish Dianne Mott-Davidson would write some more of her series (Death by Chocolate, Killer Pancake ,etc). They are light and the recipes are great.

I'm starting the 5th Harry Potter tomorrow. My 2 kids each read it in about a day and a half. My son finished last night and passed it on to me. I'm putting off starting it until the weekend, because I'll likely stay up past my bedtime and mess myself up for work otherwise. I think if I read it at the beach, I'd never go into the water.

Just finished reading, "Seabiscuit, An American Legend." Good book.

I am currently reading, "Secret Lives of Bees." Good so far.

For a quick read anything by Nicholas Sparks. And if you are going to the Keys or Florida, anything by Shames or Hiiasen.

That's Carl Hiaasen sorry for the typo.

I just finished Three Junes and enjoyed that. I'll second Seabiscuit. I thought that was fantastic. Also just read Queen Noor's autobiography. It provides a very different perspective to our recent mideast history.

James Patterson's Beach House!

A very guilty pleasure book: Butterfly by Kathryn Harvey
I admit I blush in parts but once you get past some of the "scenes" teh plot is very intriguing and It is hard to put down....

I also love all of Sydney Sheldon's books, they always make for great Summer reads! He hasnt put out a book since 2000, if anyone knows of an author like him I'd love to hear it!

Enjoy!
Carib_Ruby

Birdie, did you enjoy Queen Noor's autobiography?

Gee, HuwMorgan... thanks for the insight - yes, I did know some of what you told me, but some of it was news as well. Sounds as if you enjoy a good read at times.

I would bet my right ankle that Queen Nor did not write her autobiography.

Beach Music by Pat Conroy. Been around a while, but a great read.

One more here, who just finished Bel Canto and loved it. Next is the new Harry Potter book and after that....Travellyn, tell me more about the Evanovich books. I'm intrigued.

Jette, Janet Evanovich writes mysteries about a character named Stephanie Plum, who is a bumbling bounty hunter with an interesting crew of friends. The stories are hilariously written, not at all deep, and the humor is often quite bawdy. Her books always make me laugh out loud, but it's usually about a sexual situation, or has language in it that I wouldn't want to read aloud to my kids.

The books are numbered. The first is One For the Money; the last one I read was Hard Eight. You don't want to skip around because each book builds on the previous ones, and you'll mess up some surprises if you read them out of order.

Richard North Patterson - good mystery/lawyer books...
Like Maeve Binchy books - easy and interesting reads
One of the most memorable books I've read lately is "Prodigal Summer" by Kingsolver-it was absolutely beautiful and an easy read too!
Wally Lamb has a few - I Know this Much is True and another one....

applejaxs, I loved Kitchen Confidential so I picked up Bone in the Throat (one of A. Bourdain's mysteries) and it was so-so.
Just got back from a short trip and read The Sheltering Sky and Nanny Diaries. Sheltering Sky is a classic and very good for travelers. Nanny Diaries was funny but depressing. Very fast read, which is not always good on vacation (since you can't lug too many books with you!).

I'd also like to recommend any of Bill Bryson's books. Very funny and many are great for people who like to travel.