Wednesday, June 18, 2014

My Summer Reading List

As some of you may know, I am both a notorious mood reader and a compulsive list-maker. There is no way these two traits can peacefully co-existence, yet I persist with seasonal reading plans. Actually sticking to them is another story.

This summer I'd like to read a few new releases, some older titles, at least one classic, and a YA title or two. All of the books listed are already on hold at the library, currently on my kindle, or waiting on my bookshelves.

I know all too well that one used book sale, kindle daily deal, or impulse purchase could derail the whole plan.

The Vacationers by Emma Straub 
 Borrowed from the library, up next

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Bloggers love this one, on the library hold list

I was pretty impressed with The Dinner, so put this on hold.

Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes, 
An older title to be released in paperback in the US this fall (via Netgalley)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
...because I seriously don't want to be the last person in the world to read it

Imperial Woman by Pearl S. Buck
a favorite author and my summer classic

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt 
I loved The Secret History. This one is so long, it may be a good read/listen combination.

The All of It by Jeannette Haein
a 1986 classic with an introduction by Ann Patchett

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout
a backlist title from a favorite author

The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz 
...or some other foodie title with recipes (preferably set in France) for my book club


A Few Audio Possibilities:
The Invention of Wings  by Sue Monk Kidd
narrated by Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd

 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
narrated by David Pittu

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Sunil Malhotra

What's on your summer reading list?

44 comments:

  1. Vacationers and Summer House are both on my TBR list for the summer--in fact, I just got an email letting me know that I finally got to the top of the library list for Summer House, so I'll be picking it up this week! I recently read Storied Life and really enjoyed it--it's a great summer pick. Eleanor & Park was one of the best books I read last year and got me back into reading YA again after a long break. And Goldfinch is also on my TBR list, but I'm a bit intimidated to start it, even though I have it sitting in my kindle!
    Looks like you have a summer full of great reading ahead! I'm going to have to check out some of the titles you've listed that aren't familiar to me.

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    1. Bookmammalmusings - My only fear with library requests is that they all might arrive at the same time! Enjoy Summer House :)

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  2. I love these kinds of list! I loved The Invention of Wings!

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    1. Pat - I'm almost certain I'll love The Invention of Wings, too!

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  3. I've read a few of those and they were all terrific! I also want to read a few of the others but I need to get my hands on them first.

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    1. Kathy - I've actually been borrowing quite a few books from the library... that's not helping my growing tbr piles though ;)

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  4. Fabulous selections, JoAnn and I admire your list-making. I'm not as disciplined. I sort of keep a mental list, but that is very fluid and easily sidetracked. Some of your choices are on my mental list. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Catherine - The list-making is fun, but I need to remember to cut myself some slack when I fail to stick to it ;-)

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  5. I've read a couple of those. Fikry is such a delight I can't even tell you! Summer House is on my summer list as well. Let's hope we're derailed too often ;)

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    1. Jennifer - Can't wait to get to the top of the list for A.J. Fikry - I'm really looking forward to that one!

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  6. I love your list and several of these are on my TBR. The Vacationers looks like a great summer read and I've been dying to read The Sweet Life of Paris. I haven't read The Dinner but really want to get to it. I really enjoyed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry though maybe not quite as much as everyone else did. It's a great read nonetheless.

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    1. Katherine - I'll probably start with The Vacationers... hopefully within the next day or two.

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  7. This is a nice, varied list. I really liked The Vacationers. LOVED Eleanor & Park and I am reading The Goldfinch now. I have Summer House w/Swimming Pool too but not sure when I will get to it. I am still trying to figure out what chunkster to read over the summer but at the rate I am going, it just may be The Goldfinch so I can move on to other reads.

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    1. Ti - There are just SO many books I want to read right now! Eleanor & Park has been such a hit with bloggers and the audio version is very highly rated, so I'm really looking forward to it.

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  8. I love to make lists too and then derail myself. Oh well, I will keep making lists anyway! This is a nice list mixing up types of books. I want to read The Goldfinch too, but it probably isn't going to happen this summer. I have it on my Kindle. So, I keep hearing Herman Koch mentioned but know nothing about this author. I like the title on the Koch book. I need that Rx myself :)

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    1. Terri - I'm the same way, yet I plan to keep making my lists and not worry when I am sidetracked by other books. Koch's novels are translated from German and definitely on the dark side... this latest effort may be even darker than The Dinner.

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  9. Such a great list - overlaps a bit with mine! I do have to tell you that I've read countless glowing reviews of The Vacationers, but I thought it was kind of blah. Nothing really happens and the writing and characters aren't brilliant enough to carry it. But, judging by the reviews I've read, I'm in the minority. I, too, am planning to read Summer House with Swimming Pool and A.J. Fikry. And - I loved The Goldfinch..was one of my favs of last year! Happy reading!

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    1. Sarah - I'm really glad to read your comment about The Vacationers. Sometimes the "it" books get hyped and my expectations become unrealistically high...

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  10. Such great choices. I have The Invention of Wings and The Goldfinch sitting forlorn on my stacks. Same with The Fault in Our Stars. One of these days!

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    1. ANdi - Hopefully, I'll get most of them read. We'll see...

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  11. It's a very intriguing list, because I haven't read any of these books - or really these authors. So I will look forward to your reviews. I am not in the mood for lists myself just now, though that means sometimes I can't settle on what to read next.

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    1. Lisa - List-making is kind of dangerous for me. Fun at first, but leads to disappointment when I'm not able to stick to them...

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  12. I have 3 of those on my summer reading list. I had Eleanor & Park on it, but took it off.

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    1. Vicki - I really like the look of your list, too! There are several on there I considered adding to mine.

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  13. That is an awesome reading list, and many of those are on my mental list (I don't even bother writing them down because I too am easily derailed). E&P is absolutely wonderful. Read that one first!

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    1. Sandy - E&P will be one of the audios I definitely listen to this summer!

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  14. This is a wonderful looking reading list - I may need to borrow it ;)

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    1. Sheila - It's always dangerous to make lists... we'll see how I did after Labor Day!

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  15. JoAnn,
    I'm going to be chomping at the bit to wait for your thoughts and views on some of these books. I've been wondering about The Vacationers. Also, I haven't read John Green's latest, but my Children's and YA Literature class recently read his debut novel, Looking for Alaska, which captivated each student in the entire class. I liked it too, and want to give it to Ken, but my copy is all marked up with teacher notes. Maybe a library copy for him.

    Judith

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    1. Judith - I finished The Vacationers yesterday and loved it! On to John Green...

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  16. JoAnn, such great choices -- I've read 5 of these and loved: Goldfinch, Eleanor and Park (audio), Fault of Our Stars (audio), Summer House with Swimming Pool, (Vacationers was okay)

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    1. Diane - Just finished The Vacationers yesterday and loved it! I read it while on the boat, so Im sure that increased my overall enjoyment :)

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  17. A great variety of books! I'm intrigued about 'The All of It' because I've never heard of it or the author. I hope you get to that one so I can hear more about it. :-) I always get derailed from my reading lists, but I try not to feel guilty. They help me focus until I don't need to focus anymore, if that makes sense.

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    1. Anbolyn - I think The All of It will be my next book... looking forward to it!

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  18. The Sweet Life in Paris looks like a perfect summer read. Ah, Paris...

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    1. Diane - The Sweet Life inParis will be perfect for both my book club's foodie summer meeting and the Paris in July blog event.

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  19. The Invention of Wings was an awesome audio!

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    1. Beth F - I'm pretty sure you were the one to convince me to go the audio route!

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  20. Good luck with your reading! I'm also horrible at sticking to the lists I make. The Vacationers and The Fault in Our Stars are also on my summer reading list!

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    1. Kelly - I finished The Vacationers yesterday and loved it!

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  21. I want to read the Emma Straub, too. I highly recommend The Goldfinch!

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    1. Vintage Reading - The Goldfinch is pretty high on my priority list, and I read The Vacationers over the weekend and loved it!

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  22. You've got some on here that I really liked a lot. Have fun with these!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. It should be fun to work my way through this list!

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