I cannot count the number of people who have asked me for summer reading recommendations this year—and it’s only the second week of June! After I give the names of a few favorites, I’ll always ask . . . “Now you tell me what book you seriously couldn’t put down.” That’s the kind of book I want to read in the summer.
This week we’re giving away four books in categories ranging from true crime to Southern fiction to suspense. All are perfect for summer reading.
- People Who Eat Darkness is Richard Lloyd Parry’s probing look into the disappearance of Lucie Blackman in Tokyo.
- In Porch Lights by Dorothea Benton Frank, a daughter comes home to Sullivan’s Island, SC, to reconnect with her mother.
- Lost opportunities, found art, stories both true and false—these ideas bind the disparate threads of Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins.
- Set in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jon Steele’s The Watchers is a haunting and suspenseful thriller about an American call girl, a British private eye and Marc Rochat, the bell ringer at the city’s cathedral.
Do you want to read these books? Here’s how you can enter to win them . . .
TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the name of a favorite book for summer reading.
CONTEST DETAILS: One winner will be chosen by random.org from among entries received by 5 pm CST on Friday, June 15. The winner will each receive copies of the four books mentioned above. Prize must be shipped to a North American address, and Rhode Island residents are not eligible. (Full contest rules here.) Good luck!
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ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Sharon! She’s looking forward to reading The Expats and Maine this summer.
Thank you to all who entered! Contest is now closed.
The Children’s Hour by Marcia Willett
any Jackie Collins book.
I’m catching up on favorite series. Currently reading Nevada Barr’s The Rope.
Looking forward to reading The Expats and Maine
Loved Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. Enjoy.
My favorite summer reading books are by Elin Hilderbrand.
Elin Hildebrand is always good for summer reading!
I love to read Elin Hilderbrand books in the summer, as they are always set in Nantucket! Great beach reads.
Dottie,
Summerland is coming out this month. Can’t wait.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
I love books sent on the shore so anything by Elin Hilderbrand, Dorothea Benton Frank. I’m really looking forward to Gone Girl.
Jaws has got to be one of the best time summer reads.
When I was younger, I read a book called Baby (I think that was the title), about a woman who left her child with a family in a small, seaside vacation town. The story was wonderful, and the setting was beach, beach, beach–first full of tourists, then through the winter, then full of tourists again. It was perfect summer reading, and I’d love to re-read it, but since I’m uncertain of the title (and author), I haven’t been able to find it. I remember the cover, though!
Maybe you’re thinking of the book by Patricia MacLachlan about a baby that is abandoned and taken in by a family that has recently lost their infant son.
I turn to the classics: Tolkien or Stephen King!
Donuts for Amy
I like to do a Harry Potter reread. It’s summer, so it’s all about fun!
Beautiful Ruins is at the top of my summer reading list!! (http://mermama.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-summer-reading-list.html)
There have been sooo many. Most recently, The Art of Racing in The Rain. Not only was I enthralled, it stays in my mind and hopefully always will. My birthday is in three days!! A good reason to be selected, yes??
I am currently reading Plum Island, the first in Nelson DeMille’s John Corey detective series.
Anything by Dorothea Benton Frank is a perfect summer read–I’m eagerly awaiting Porch Lights.
Currently I’m reading Beach House Memories by Mary Alice Monroe, and it’s perfect for the beach, too.
Dorothea Benton Frank
Maine by. J. Courtney. Sullivan was great!
My indiscriminate reading habit follows me into the summer, so no favorites. Currently reading “Fashion” by NJ Stevenson.
Could be a novel tomorrow.
THE UNSEEN by Katherine Webb, SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness, ALONG CAME A DUKE by Elizabeth Boyle, RESCUE ME by Rachel Gibson, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB by Melanie Benjamin.
Anything by Elin Hilderbrand
Not being an organized reader and being one to jump at whatever catches my fancy at the moment, this is a hard question. This summer I will, hopefully, tackle the last book in the Jean Auel Clan of the Cave Bear series. I bought it when it first came out, but I’m so hooked on mysteries that I’ve pushed it aside. Once I get into it I know I’ll love it, then be sad when I finish it.
Anything by Sharon K. Penman makes a fantastic summer read. Thanks for a fun giveaway!
I haven’t read a really good page-turner in awhile. I always check out the recommended reading lists for new and really interesting books to read.
The Stand, by Stephen King!
I enjoy reading feel-good, real-life stories and there are plenty of those in Rick Reilly’s Hate Mail from Cheerleaders.
One of my favorite summer reads was Lonesome Dove.
My all time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. Currently reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and it’s my current favorite.
Favortie beach reads are books by Pat Conroy, Anne Rivers Siddon, Dorothea benton Frank and other stories set in the south. Or a good mystery.
I love reading Sarah Dessen or Jenny Han books during summertime. They [almost] always take place AT or NEAR beaches anyway! As someone who lives inland, I get to live vicariously through these characters.
My favorite summer reading are “can’t put it down” books that I can stay up reading late into the night because its summer vacation and no work tomorrow! Harlen Coben definitely fits, just finished The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani which was excellent, looking forward to Dorothea Benton Frank’s latest and Mary Kay Andrew’s as well.
Bonnie Jo Campbell ” Once upon a River” Great coming of age book and a modern female Huck Finn. Wonderful Book!!!!!!
Bonnie Jo’s “Q Road” is wonderful, too.
Definitely have to read the Fifty Shades of Grey series…..I didn’t want to put them down!!!!
My next summer read will be Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews.
The night circus by Erin morgenstern.
Jackie Collins and Nora Roberts
Any suspense or thriller will do. Most recently I devoured Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn in two days…
The Game of Thrones series by George RR Martin.
I’m looking forward to The Inquisitor’s Key by Jefferson Bass and A Deeper Darkness by J.T. Ellison.
I turn to classics in the summer. This year’s list includes The Country of the Pointed Firs, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Walden (every summer), and the Anne of Green Gables series.
Classic mysteries by Agatha Christie, suspense novels by Tana French, or novels set in the south by Pat Conroy.
Each summer I always manage to read the newest releases by Dorthea Benton Franks and Mary Kay Andrews. This year I’m participating in our library’s adult summer reading program, a book bingo where you read 16 (or 32 for the ambitious) different books. I enjoy this because it challenges me to read outside my comfort zone. So far I’ve finished The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans (book on the “new” shelf), The Cove by Ron Rash (your choice), Nightwoods by Charles Frazier (book with the word “night” in the title) and have started The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry (book by a male author) and Robert Parker’s Lullaby by Ace Atkins (detective novel).
What a very cool idea!! 32 books over a summer would be quite ambitious for me, but I’d happily try to hit 16 with those challenges..
I am very curious about the book bingo you are participating in. Could you post more about it? How are the 16 (or 32) books selected? I’d love to challenge myself to this, and don’t have an adult summer reading program at my library!!!
Little women!!
I have enjoyed Jane Green’s books, such as Dune Road, for some light summer reading!
Summer is usually when I pull out my stack of books that I got at used book sales, $5 for as many as you can carry. That way I don’t feel so bad when I drop it in the pool or get it full of beach sand.
My first official summer read of 2012 was The Expats by Chris Pavone – could NOT put it down. I’ve promised my niece I’ll have read Catching Fire by the time we both get back from our vacations so we can finally talk about it. In general, summer’s a good time for anything by Anne Rivers Siddons, Claire Cook, Beth Harbison or Claire LaZebnik.
My favorite summer reading is water for elephants. Great love story!
Epic Fantasy – like any of the Song of Fire and Ice series.
I’m happy to see Dorthea Benton Frank’s new book being offered because any of her books are great beach/summer reads.
Summer reading is always a pleasure. A favorite novel which is memorable for summertime is East of Eden.
I have started to read the Hamish MacBeth series by M.C. Beaton. Easy to read, enjoyable mysteries set in Scotland
Letter from a Stranger bt Barbara Taylor Bradford
Just starting “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern and can’t wait for “Shadow of Night” by Deb Harkness to come out!
I am reading The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman right now. Would love to win some books!
I read GONE WITH THE WIND in summer and I plan on reading it again this year. I also love reading something by Luanne Rice, Ann Rivers Siddens, Dorothy Benson Frank and clever gripping mysteries, gothic and Regency romances.
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Caleb’s Crossing
I am currently reading/enjoying The Snowman by Jo Nesbo.
“The Inquisitor’s Key by Jefferson Bass.
Brand new Body Farm mystery combining forensics, the Catholic Church, and intrigue. Great read!
I am reading Jaws by Peter Benchley. Can’t beat that. LOL. It’s the perfect summer read and although I laugh about it… it’s really well done.
Just finished The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani. If I can’t make it to Italy this summer, this will help ease the pain.
I can’t think of just one favorite book, buy I like Kate Carlisle’s bibliophiles Mystery series, especially if you love books
I try to reread at least 2 classics each summer.
I just finished “The Road to Grace”, the third book in the “Walk” series by Richard Paul Evans. The only disappointment was that I have to wait until 2013 for the final novel in this series – but I’d highly recommend reading the first three for some great summer reading! They are, in order, “The Walk”, “Miles to Go”, and then “The Road to Grace”. It’s the story of a man coming to terms with the unexpected loss of the love of his life by walking across the country. Very well written and very hard to put down!
The Devil in the White City
I this one too! I think I’ll read it again
)
That’s one of my favorites. Well worth a reread.
I usually pick up which ever Michael Connelly book is most recent for my long summer road trip. Looking forward to whatever is his latest!
“Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by Jenny Lawson. Oh. My. Bloggess. Hilarious, touching, weird, and wonderful. Lawson makes Ann Lamott look (almost) normal. I don’t put much stock in cover blurbs about hilarity, but this book is outrageous. I had to quit reading it in bed because I laughed so hard I shook the bed and woke my unamused husband. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended!
Looking forward to reading ‘Gone Girl’
A perfect summer read is The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall. A gorgeous book!
Little Women! Time for a re-read!
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard!
Any and All: ANNE GEORGE books, she has passed on (2001) but left behind the most precious mystery books there ever was for light, summer reading.
You cannot put them down they are so hilarious, taken place in Destin, Fla and in Alabama. She was from Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
Start with the first one, Murder on a Girls’ Night Out. You’ll be hooked!
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett was a great read last summer! An epic book and I can’t wait for the second one in the series to come out.
The Sisters; the Saga of the Mitford Family
every summer, the latest by James Lee Burke
For a summer read I like to go with a light page-turner. Something that doesn’t require a ton of concentration. I typically turn to Stephen King, who has been favorite light reading author since I picked up The Dead Zone when I was just eight years old.
But if you’re looking for a specific title, I recently read two pretty good historical mysteries: The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye and The Yard by Alex Grecian. I think The Gods of Gotham was slightly better, but people that like their historical mysteries with more of a London atmosphere might prefer The Yard.
I’d highly recommend The Informationist by Taylor Stevens. It reminds me a lot of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.
My summer starts next week. The first book in my pile that I will read is Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimimanda Adichie. Swamplandia by Karen Russell is also high in the pile.
Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews
I’m not sure, but I think every Harry Potter book came out around June. My son and I would watch for the UPS truck anxiously awaiting our new release!
I’m reading Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck and really enjoying it but not really considering it a summer read. I just finished The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield and couldn’t put it down. It was definitely a good summer read.
It gives me nightmares for days, but I love curling up with The Stand by Stephen King every summer. It’s long, but it pulls you through quickly.
Jim Lynch’s Truth Like the Sun, a fictionalized account of the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 with the building of the Space Needle, is a real page turner and a good summer read.
A favorite of mine is The Red Leather Diary, a biography of a woman who was a teenager in the 20s and 30s, whose dairy was found by the author. Wonderful read. And thanks for the chance to win some books!
I like the series by Sheryl Woods-sweet magnolias. Can’t wait for the newest book and also the cookbook coming out. Also, Nora Roberts, any of her books-reading the Innsbrook books now. Will probably reread the bride series again.
The Tiger’s Wife is our book club selection for June.
Any book set in the South. I just finished Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews and LOVED it.
The lifeboat!
Thanks for doing! Elizabeth George – latest is Believing The Lie
The Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
My summer reading is anything that’s piled up during the year. I prefer to read mysteries and often reread some classics- maybe Jane Eyre this year…..
Look forward to reading, The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Sounds like the perfect beach read!
A Good American by Alex George
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson made me laugh so long and so hard I think I sprained something. It was so good, I’m reading it again!
Since I always think of summer as a time of laughter I recommend a book I have loved for a long time, Anne Lamott’s “Operating Instructions”.
I have a load of books on my Kindle. It doesn’t matter what season,as long as I have something to read.
I’m reading Lonesome Dove,saw the series and it was great.
My favorite book….EVER!
Anything Nicholas Sparks,since many places he mentions aren’t too far from here,I just love to read and will take a book bag full for vacation…
I’m looking forward to The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry
Canada by Richard Ford
Last summer the best of many was Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods.” This year I’m finishing the Josephine B trilogy by Sandra Gulland. Delicious “diaries” of Josephine Bonaparte and 19th century France.
Really looking forward to Deborah Harkness’ sequel to A Discovery of Witches. Can’t wait for it to come out.
I LOVE Dorothea Benton Frank and hope to win since my birthday is in a few days, too! I’ve been reading Jodie Picoult’s Lone Wolf and loving it. Finished Nora Roberts second book in the Boonesboro In series. Awesome!
daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor. Can’t wait for sequel coming out in november.
currently listening to The Reckoning by Jane Casey (British police procedural) and reading The Genesis Secret by Tom Knox. Both rather violent thrillers but both (for me) page turners. And the Knox book includes fascinating details regarding archaeology of the ancient middle east.
“Wild” it was a good read and since I have always wanted to backpack somwwhere, this was very good. Not what I expected at all.
I am reading A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME by Wiley Cash, and it’s really good! I met him at a book signing, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to him speak!
That is so cool that you got to meet him. I really want to read that book too.:)
I am reading some mysteries found at the book sale at my local library. Ngaio Marsh is the author. She started writing in the 1030′s and has been compared to Agatha Christie. The books are fun and campy.
One Day by David Nicholls!
The Wedding Beat by Devan Sipher.
“The Chaperone” by Laura Moriarty, “Afterwards” by Rosamund Lupton, “A Land More Kind than Home” by Wiley Cash, “Wallflower in Bloom” by Claire Cook and “The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D: A Novel” by Nichole Bernier.
Any book by Luanne Rice or Dorothy Garlock. Both authors give you a great sense of location and the books are very easy to follow..great for a summer’s day!
I plan to catch up on my Sue Grafton mysteries this summer!
I just finished “Gone Girl” and “The Yard” and thoroughly enjoyed both!
And Ladies of the Club by Helen Hooven Santmyer. You can open the book at any page and find a story to read.
I used to read Gone with the Wind every summer. I also just finished Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. I couldn’t put that one down.
I am currently reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I just finished Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich.
11/22/63 by Stephen King! Wonderful read…especially for the baby boomer generation who remember JFK’s assassination. I was so sad for it to end. Definitely a book that can do with multiple readings, to pick up on details you miss the first time around!
I’ve never made a difference between winter and summer reading. I just listen to friends, use your recommandations and enjoy all most all books I read. I know what to stay away from and what I enjoy. History, woman’s life stories and mysteries. Now I am reading “Moloka’l” for our New Friends Book club.
“The Good Dream” by Donna VanLiere. Just finished a ARC I was privileged to receive from the author. Fabulous!
One of my favorite authors – Victoria Holt. The Shivering Sands. I would love to try some new authors this summer! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!!
I love reading Karen White’s books while at the beach. I have “The Lost Hours” waiting for the first day of summer vacation.
Any Nicolas sparks book is a great summer read
I love to read thrillers in the summer. My favorite so far is Amped by Daniel H. Wilson.
I have just read and enjoyed very much two books by Jill Pitkeathley, 1. Cassandra and Jane and 2. Dearest Cousin Jane (Jane being none other than Jane Austen). Adds much to knowledge of her life and the domestic dramas in her life that she later turned into novels.
I seriously could not put down The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith – a lovely old favorite
Looking forward to “Porch Lights” by Dorothea Benton Frank.
I think of summer as the perfect time for reading popular science because each chapter frequently stands alone so the book is easy for me to put down and pick up. I like Mary Roach, A.J. Jacobs, and Malcom Gladwell. I’m waiting for the Freakonomics duo (Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner) to release another book. I keep meaning to read Richard Feynman and Oliver Sacks.
I’m finally reading “Fall of Giants” by Ken Follett.
Penelope Lively’s “Moon Tiger”. Exotic location + Family drama + Secret Romance = Amazing Summer Read.
My summer reads include Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown, and rereading my absolute favorite old books like Winnie the Horse Gentler!
I love reading Elin Hilderbrand in the summer! I can’t wait for her new book!
Really looking forward to reading James Lee Burke’s new book “Creole Belle” coming out July 17, which I ordered months ago!
Ready Player One by Cline is a good summer read for the geek crowd.
My go-to summer read authors are:
Dorothea Benton Frank
Mary Kay Andrews
Elin Hilderbrand
I stick to light beach reads and do the longer reads for the long winter months.
B.
Whatever the latest book I am dying to read is is my ideal summer reading! Sorry, thats lame I know, but I read at random!
DON’T MESS WITH TRAVIS
by Bob Smiley.
Hysterical.
Relevant.
Read it in 3 sittings.
A total summer page-turner.
Louise Penny series.
I love reading my books by Barbara Kingsolver during the summer months.
sellcrystal2 (at) yahoo dot com
Juliet by Anne Fortier
One of my all-time favorite summer reads is Anne of Green Gables! Love the whole series, but the first is always the best.
The Train of Small Mercies by David Rowell. I was there.
The legacy of eden by nelle davy AND the winter palace by Eva stachmiak
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened – Jenny Lawson
Will be reading the Inspector Banks mystery series by Peter Robinson.
Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh
The two non-fiction books by Pat Conroy, his cookbook and the one about his reading life and who encouraged him in his love of books and the love of words. An excellent look into the conditions that turned him into the premier Southern novelist that he has become.
I look forward to reading this Blog ….let’s me know what books I just ‘have to have’ and maybe in what order. I enjoy the comments of other’s and have commented myself. I’ve shared this email with my daughters and several friends.
The book I’d like to mention is ‘In Porch Lights’ by Dorothea Benton Frank. This her only book I haven’t read. My favorite new author.
You won’t be able to put down Left Neglected by Lisa Genova and When She Woke by Hillary Jordan