Several people have asked me recently to give them a summer reading list, and I just laugh because I have had very little time to read anything lately. Geez, people, you think these books just fall out of the sky??
Seriously, I am totally absorbed in writing book three, and every chance I get I am pecking away on the computer. Not that I don’t like to read. I love it, and think it is vital for a writer to read. But not right now; maybe on my next long flight or cruise.
The last book I read was A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I would definitely recommend, but I have to warn the reader that it is somewhat depressing. Although, it is a novel, it has some very graphic and unfortunately true descriptions of the brutalities faced by women in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is written by the same author as The Kite Runner, which is also very good, but similar in its effect.
I tend to have a range of reading interests, but I can assure you that some books of recent popularity are just not on my list, like vampires and even historical romance. And sci-fi has never been of any interest. So, if I were going to read this summer, these are the paperback novels that would probably be on my list, but not in any particular order. But remember I haven’t read them; they have merely piqued my interest.
- Debbie Macomber’s Summer on Blossom Street—all of her books are very light and usually cheery. Not an intellectual endeavor I assure you.
- Sidney Sheldon’s Mistress of the Game –one of my all time favorite books is his Rage of Angels. If you haven’t read it, you should.
- James’s Patterson’s Run for Your Life—I like most of his books, but every now and then they disappoint.
- Cormac McCarthy’s The Road—I’ve never read anything by him before.
- John’s Grisham’s The Appeal—the names of the author and title say it all.
- Fern Michaels’ Vanishing Act—Most of her stuff appeals to me.
- Anything I haven’t already read by Barbara Delinsky like More Than Friends and Susan Wiggs (The Summer Hideaway)—I haven’t found many of either that I haven’t liked. They are not heavy, but generally well done.
Here’s a handy Amazon checklist. Just click the name of the book and it will take you direct to the Amazon page. Kindle versions can be seen on the individual pages as well.
What’s on your list? Leave a comment and let me know.