I haven't seen this come up in a while. I spent the longest time in Borders the other day trying to pick out some good summer reading choices to take with me on vacation. Anybody read anything good, or different, lately?

There was a huge "summer beach reading" thread a month or so ago. Try searching for it - there were a lot of good recommendations.

Lee Ann

I might have found the post you're talking about, but it is from last year. I'll search it to see if anything catches my interest. Anyone read anything new?

There's definitely one from this year, quite a long one. Try searching for "trashy beach reading".

Thanks, CAPH, I couldn't remember the exact thread title.

Lee Ann

Elizabeth George, Carolyn Hart, Anne Perry, and Elizabeth Peters all have new books out. George is the best.

I have recently been recommending: "Over the Edge, Death in Grand Canyon" Factual book that is not a gruesome as you may imagine. Mostly intriguing...at least to me.

I also recently enjoyed "Devil in the White City" a fact based story about the World Exposition (fair) in Chicago during the 1890's.

The new Harry Potter book comes out in July, and I can't wait.

There's a thread in the top 50 of Europe right now about books.

In summer, I look forward to more fun books. Coming out soon new books from Laura Lippman and Kathy Reichs.

Often before a vacation, I go to the thrift stores and buy books for $.50 each. I found several golden oldies this way, and if I don't like the book, no big loss. I don't mind if they are left at the desitnation.

RUN, don't walk, to buy Jodie Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper." I couldn't put it down........

"Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami. "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Love topics like this! I'm a big reader...here are some of my recent favorites:

Ditto the suggestion for My Sister's Keeper.

Anything by Philippa Gregory (historical fiction)
Anything by Stuart Woods (mystery)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Fun Beach type books:

The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare
Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes
Anything by Jane Green
Anything by Sue Grafton


Upcoming reads:
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Amagansett by Mark Mills
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson

I need to go search for that other thread to see what I can add to my list.

I am working my way through All of Harlan Cobins books, all of the John Grishams that I haven't read (The Broker currently) and I am waiting for Daniel Silva to write a new one, Hurry Up!
I used to like Barbara Delinksy for schmalzy tearjerker reading
I highly recommend Jenny Siler. She has written 4 books, they are all excellent and I am also waiting for her to write another. The last book she wrote was Flashback ( sooo good)

HI,

I haven't seen anyone mention Nevada Barr's books. Her character Anna Pidgeon is a park ranger and her mysteries take place in various national parks around the US. Perfect beach reading (and travel related too!)

Just finished The Kite Runner and recommend it. I put off reading it because I was intimidated by the subject matter but I enjoyed it very much.

E--did you read Never Let Me Go? I've just started it and it's a weird weird story.

One of my favorite "fun" fiction writers is Elinor Lipman, partly because she lives in my hometown and partly because she writes about love so well (and comically.) Three of my favs are The Way Men Act, The Inn at Lake Devine and Then She Found Me.

Patti

Agree with Placeu2--I am currently reading "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson--great read!

Ok, I found the "trashy beach reading" thread. I never would have thought to search for it in exactly that way. Anyway, I'm printing both this thread and that one to take with me when I go back to the store. Thanks Fodorites!

Patti, yes, I did read it, and it is weird! I love the eerily bland tone of it, when combined with the slow revelation of the plot. I hope you like it! FYI, none of his other novels are science fictiony...

placeu2 - We found a copy of "Over the Edge - Death in the Grand Canyon" at a local thrift store and my husband read it on the plane on last year's trip to Southern Utah (including the North Rim). We found the book fascinating too! It sure made us much more careful while taking pictures and hiking! Sharon