Summer reading lists are everywhere this week. Yet for me, making one seems like an exercise in futility. I just can't seem to stick to them. Still, I compose a new version each season and post it here for all to see. So here is my Summer 2016 Reading List... just eight books for now. Hopefully I'll end up reading at least three. We'll see come Labor Day.
FICTION
Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo
For book club, and then I'll read the new sequel, Everybody's Fool.
Last Orders by Graham Swift
...because I adored Mothering Sunday.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
This seems to be THE book right now, and it sounds so appealing.
CLASSICS
Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty
It's been too long since I last read Welty, and summer seems like the perfect time.
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
From my Classics Club list. Thomas mentioned that Prunella Scales is one of his favorite narrators, so I'm going the audio route.
Jezebel's Daughter by Wilkie Collins
I've had this review copy since December...
NONFICTION
The Wander Society by Keri Smith
Unplanned exploring as a way of life? Sounds hard to resist.
Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica
Summer is the best time for light nonfiction and this sounds like fun.
Are you a list maker? Can you stick to a reading list?
Waiter Rant and Sweetbitter might be an excellent fiction/nonfiction pairing! And I loved Sweetbitter :)
ReplyDeleteSarah - Can't believe I didn't think of that as I made the list... sounds perfect!
DeleteOh, I loved Cranford! Hope you will too. And I've been wanting to read more Eudora Welty too. Someone (I think it might have been Simon of Stuck in a Book?} mentioned something about finding or making a family tree to sort out all the characters -- definitely my (our?) kind of book?
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I remember watching a Cranford series years ago, but have never read the book. That will probably be my next audio. Would love to read Delta Wedding with you sometime this summer!
DeleteYes, please! :)
DeleteAudrey - You're reading Frankenstein this month, right? Either July or August is fine with me :)
DeleteI love your classics choices. Elizabeth Gaskell is one of my new favorites. Last Orderst looks interesting. I have some heavy reading picked out for the summer but I need to add some light reading too. Maybe I should plan my summer reading list. I'm not reading as much lately. Hopefully it'll pick back up.
ReplyDeleteHeidi - I love Gaskell, too, but haven't read her in a while. North and South is my favorite so far. I considered adding Crime and Punishment to the list. It was there last summer but I never got around to it.... it might happen this year.
DeleteI like your choices, and Waiter Rant and Wander Society caught my attention.
ReplyDeleteTerra - I love to read lighter nonfiction in the summer months. May add the new book about first ladies if I have time.
DeleteI am a list maker but I like a daily list where I can cross stuff off quickly! My husband and I both devoured Sweetbitter...an oddly fascinating book!
ReplyDeletePatty - There's so much satisfaction in checking things off a daily list! Yours was probably one of the first reviews I read of Sweetbitter, then everyone else seemed just as intrigued with it. My library hold just arrived, so I'm hoping to start this weekend.
DeleteYeah, I gave up on reading lists years ago. I've got to get my hands on Sweetbitter.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Not sure why I persist in making these lists. Something else always catches my eye as I'm trying to stick to it... Guess it's just fun to make lists :)
DeleteI've read positive things about Sweetbitter. I will look forward to reading your thoughts about it. Have a great summer and thanks for sharing your list even though it might be subject to change.
ReplyDeletePat - I'm so intrigued by the Sweetbitter reviews. Just picked it up from the library and am ready to start reading!
DeleteWhat a nicely balanced list--some classics and some newer releases. I adore Cranford, and last time I read it I listened to it, which was a real treat. Hope you like it too. I like Eudora Welty too, though I haven't read much by here--love the title of this one as well as Jezebel's Daughter. That cover is awesome. Enjoy your summer reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane! I loved the audio sample of Prunella Scales reading Cranford and will most likely make it a read/listen combo. I've read many of Welty's stories and loved The Optimists's Daughter, but that's her only novel I've read. Summer seems like a perfect time to read Delta Wedding.
DeleteI'm intrigued by The Wander Society...probably because I wish I did more wandering in my life. :) Hope it's as good as it sounds. The rest of the books on your list sound good, too. Happy reading this summer!
ReplyDeleteLark - A couple of my goodreads friends loved The Wander Society, but my library doesn't have a copy. I ended up using a B&N coupon for it, so I'll definitely be reading it this summer.
DeleteI have not stuck to a single list in my reading life, but I certainly love making them! I heard about Sweetbitter recently but all other books are sort of new to me. They sound very good though so I do hope you get through them. :)
ReplyDeleteAthira - A kindred reading soul! Reading lists really are so much fun to make, even if I never stick to them.
DeleteI quit making lists because when I didn't follow them I felt I somehow failed. I have an idea of which books I hope to get to this summer.
ReplyDeleteNise' - That's how I feel about the goodreads challenge... didn't even sign up for it this year.
DeleteI'd like to try another Wilkie Collins, but the one I have in mind is The Woman in White. Loved The Moonstone.
ReplyDeleteJudyMac - The Woman in White is wonderful, but The Moonstone is still my favorite Collins.
DeleteI bought Sweetbitter the other day because it comes so highly recommended. Waiter Rant looks pretty good, too.
ReplyDeleteKathy - We can compare notes on Sweetbitter. I just picked it up from the library!
DeleteI just bought the DVD of Last Orders. Such a wonderful film. Every time I make a list, I rebel. So funny. You'd think I was 15!
ReplyDeleteNan - It's funny, but making a list seems to have that effect on me, too. We both must still have a rebellious streak! I plan to watch Last Orders after I read the book.
DeleteI'm no good at sticking to lists either, though I'd read quite a few on your list. I've only read Nobody's Fool (which I enjoyed from what I remember) so I'd have plenty to choose from. I especially like the sound of The Wander Society as I often end up wandering places when we visit without a plan.
ReplyDeleteEmma - I've read most of Richard Russo's books, but for some reason never got around to Nobody's Fool. Most people loved it and now that there's a sequel, I want to read it even more. Glad my book club has given me a push, too!
DeleteThis looks to be a very good list.
ReplyDeleteI want to read some Elizabeth Gaskell myself soon.
I have not read Waiter Rant. My wife has read several similar restaurant narratives and liked them. As a former restaurant worker myself, I would like to read at least one myself.
Brian Joseph - Gaskell is such a pleasure to read! North and South was a favorite a few years ago. I tend to love books like Waiter Rant and Kitchen Confidential even though I've never worked in a restaurant. Sarah, In the comments above, pointed out that Waiter Rant would be a great fiction/nonfiction pairing with Sweetbitter.
DeleteWhat a great list, JoAnn! I'm hoping to try both of Russo's "Fools" this year too. And I think Welty, Gaskell & Collins can all be counted on for solid reads
ReplyDeleteOf your list, I've read only Last Orders (quite good) and Waiter Rant which disappointed me. It's more a rant against the industry than the customers.
Hope you have a great summer of reading!
Thanks. Debbie. I'm pretty excited about all of these books right now. Have you read Swift's latest book, Mothering Sunday? It's the only one of his I've read, but was totally blown away by it. I want to read all his novels now!
DeleteI am taking part in the 10 Books of Summer challenge this year, but usually I don't make fixed reading lists because I am a whim/mood reader. I wish you all the best with your summer reading (whether it off this list or not) - I recently read Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and I thought it was delightful; could be a perfect read for the summer.
ReplyDeleteJessicabookworm - I just read the first two chapters of Cranford and agree that it's totally delightful!
DeleteOh my. So many goodies here. Off to add a couple to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteDeb - These lists are so much fun. Seems like I'm adding to mine almost daily!
DeleteI haven't heard of most of those but interesting list :)
ReplyDeleteMy Summer TBR
Megan - I think my reading tastes may be slightly out of the mainstream;-)
DeleteOh how I adore the idea of summer reading lists. Now I just need to make one. I'm sure they're a bit hard to stick to, because some other book often comes up or in between. I liked that movie Nobody's Fool, with the great Paul Newman. Good pick of Richard Russo
ReplyDeleteSusan - I'll definitely be watching the movie with Paul Newman before the next book club meeting!
DeleteI read Delta Wedding years ago but think I need a reread to appreciate it. It didn't grab me the way I think it might now. Waiter's Rant is definitely interesting - makes you really think about your own behavior when you eat out!
ReplyDeleteLisa - The only Welty novel I've read is The Optimists's Daughter and I loved it, so am looking forward Delta Wedding. Waiter Rant should be a lot of fun, especially after reading Sweetbitter.
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