Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Summer Reading, and Requests





I did a post on summer reading last year, and it was so good at giving me something to blog about much fun that I decided to make it an annual tradition. As I mentioned the last time I did this, the summer version of Seasonal Affective Disorder always strikes me in July - that is, the total lack of motivation to do anything besides be outside, read (preferably outside) and swim (preferably while also reading, and definitely outside.) Which means that blogging about reading is at least in the right ballpark, and I can usually do it outside on my porch. So it's a win-win.

But THIS YEAR, I need your help, too. You'll have to keep reading to find out why (see how I did that? Oh yeah. I'm a pro at hooks...)

Here's what I've been reading so far:

The Lowland, by Jhumpa Lahiri

This is not my typical summer read. It's slow, lyrical, and utterly heartbreaking - not exactly what I'd call good beach material. But I was so drawn in by the characters and the simple yet masterful writing that I couldn't put it down, and that is what I call good beach material. It also offers a fascinating insight into the history of India and Bangladesh, and the Communist insurgencies there in the 1960s. A topic which, I confess, I knew absolutely nothing about until I picked up this book. Once I got over feeling humiliatingly ignorant, I loved the insight into the particular time and place in the country's past. Highly recommended.


The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

I know, I know, I am way overdue on reading this book. It was everyone's favorite book like 15 years ago (or 12, whatever,) and yet I never read it. I kept meaning to, and kept meaning to, but I somehow never actually got to it. I didn't think much of it until I realized just how long I'd been putting it off, at which point I was so embarrassed that I moved it to the top of my list. I'm reading it right now, actually, so I can't write a real review of it yet, but so far, I love it. It's engaging, funny, and heart-wrenching (because apparently I am incapable of reading lighthearted books,) and I'm very glad I decided to finally pick it up.


Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel

Look! I'm not too far off on this one! This has been one of the most talked-about books this year (at least in my very limited circles,) and I'm reading it this year!!! Or at least, I'm intending to. It's next on my list after The Secret Life of Bees. I don't have much to say about it, except that I'm really excited to read it, because everyone I know who read it absolutely loved it.






Now is where you come in, because this is IT for my summer reading list, and I need more suggestions! So please, pile 'em up. What are you reading this summer? What's on your list? What should I read after Station Eleven?

21 comments:

  1. My summer list is so big it makes my head swim.
    It depends on what genres you like to read. I don't think I could suggest anything that lines up with what you are reading.

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  2. Err...I'm really bad with book suggestions, lol! Especially because I never read as much as I'd like. I've got a lot of blogger buddies' books waiting to be read so I'll probably start with those.

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  3. This week I'm reading The Bone Tree by Grey Iles which is the follow up to Natchez Burning. Both books really highlight the terror of the deep south during the civil rights movements in the 60's and how so much hate and inequality still lingers today.
    Susan Says

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  4. I'm reading older books right now myself (pub. 10-15 years ago). I did pick up "Secret Worlds" an anthology with 21 best-sellers (compiled by Rebecca Hamilton) - 99 cents. I haven't gotten far into it yet, but there a heap of books to pick through. :)

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  5. Have you read any Kate Morton? I find her stuff great for summer. And why July, I wonder? Are you a Leo?

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  6. The Secret Life of Bees is on my list to read this summer! As a matter of fact, it's sitting on my bookshelf now waiting for me to pick it up. :)

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  7. I don't think I have any suggestions. You seem to like the more serious stuff, and I like the silly stuff. A friend recommended All the Light We Cannot See to me, and that might be up your alley. Other than that, I'm no help.

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  8. Lyrical and heartbreaking is a good combo. Well, to read, not experience. I think it's always best to wait until the hype dies down before reading a book. That way, you can get a clear idea of how you feel about it.

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  9. I adored Secret Life of Bees. I'm usually pretty far behind everyone else myself in reading the books everyone's talking about. One of the book I really loved this year was Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland, about famous paintings hid in Provence during World War II.

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  10. I rarely have time to read, which is criminal for a writer, I know. But I'm waiting for paperback to dig into this one. Romantic Outlaws Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/romantic-outlaws-charlotte-gordon/1119480102?ean=9781400068425
    History and feminism all rolled into one!

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  11. Look at you go and you have to edge in reading before the twins come along. Once the twins actually start crawling and walking, time will be limited to when you are in the bathroom (my friend read while on her throne). I don't even have the the book "Secret Life of Bees" so that tells you i am a bad girl! I read more non-fiction so unsure you would be interested. An excellent biography is "Marlene" by her daughter Maria Riva. The front of the book just has a big close-up of Marlene's face. It is not a scathing book done by a daughter but a revealing look at this enigmatic woman.

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  12. I'm still working on my TBR list from last year. Enjoy your reading time before the twins get here:)

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  13. yes def get the leisure in now while you still have a few seconds to breathe! :) I read Secret Life of Bees many moons ago and loved it (though I may have to re-read as I barely remember it!) and I get the summer SAD thing too--I have the hardest time writing in summer!

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  14. I Loved The Secret Life of Bees!!! Have a nice weekend.

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  15. I really want to read Station Eleven! I heard it's awesome. My TBR pile is ridiculous. Suggestions:
    The Diviners by Libba Bray
    Unwind by Neal Shusterman
    And, I don't know! Those are the best books I've read so far this year. Young adults both, but The Diviners is historical fiction while Unwind is a sort of dystopian biopunk thing.

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  16. I haven't read any of these and had only heard of The Secret Life of Bees, but I tend to read more commercial/genre fiction.

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  17. Hmm... I'm currently reading A Natural History of Dragons, by Marie Brennan. It's a fictional memoir of a woman who sets out to study dragons, which is not something a woman of her place in society should do, since the setting is pretty much an expy of Victorian England. I haven't finished it yet, but it's oddly charming, especially if you like classic British stuffiness as both plot and character points. :P

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  18. I love reading MG and The One and Only Ivan is on my TBR list, as is The Secret Life of Bees. Station Eleven is sitting on my bedside table. I have tried to read it twice and couldn't get into it. Everyone LOVES this book...I have to try again. Great writing, just wasn't hooked. Let me know what you think of this one, if you please. :-)

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  19. Hmmm...My reading list has been cushioned with a lot of non-fiction lately, so none immediately jumps to mind that would fit your list. I saw a lot of secret life of bee's in the comments above, and that one is definitely on my list!

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  20. I just discovered a light mystery series (I'm not sure if it's considered cozy or not) by Kyra Davis. The Sophie Katz mystery series. She has fun titles, like Vanity, Vengeance, & a Weekend in Vegas. http://www.amazon.com/Kyra-Davis/e/B001ILKC3A/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1436915207&sr=8-2-ent

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