Summer is the best time for stocking up on good reads. If it’s raining, it’s the perfect excuse to curl up with a book. If it’s sunny, there’s nothing better than sitting outside reading.
Here is a random look at the latest books I have read and feel are worth mentioning:
Lamb – Christopher Moore. Standing in a bookstore with my sister-in-law and she and another random customer could not stop raving about this book. So I bought it. Irreverent. Hilarious. Enlightening. And in the end very endearing and heart altering. I love when a book can make me laugh out loud and this one did on almost every page. Don’t read it if you’re easily offended.
Venus on Fire, Mars on Ice : Hormonal Balance-- the key to life, love, and energy - John Gray. Very helpful for understanding why we and men do what we do. Recommended reading for anyone in a relationship or anyone who wants to be in a relationship. Also news I could have used a couple of years ago! FYI – stress depletes your good hormones!
The Book of Negroes – Lawrence Hill. I joined a book club for the first time last fall. This was one that was highly recommended. Most of the members had read it already and were willing to read it again – which among readers, is the highest form of recommendation. I don’t think I would have read it otherwise – the subject matter would have halted me. I fell in love with the main character. It’s one of those books that really takes you away from here and puts you there. The story stays with me still.
Little Bee – Chris Cleave. Again, the characters are very real and still live with me.
Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen. Another book club suggestion and absolutely a great read. Have not seen the movie, yet, but will.
I read everything the following authors write & I have selected my favorites:
John Grisham – “The Partner.” & “Playing for Pizza”
Elizabeth Berg- “Open House”
Anita Shreve – “The Weight of Water.” & “Fortune’s Rock.”
Maryann Keyes – “Anybody Out There?”
Madeleine Wickham – “The Wedding Girl.”
Sue Monk Kidd – “When the Heart Waits.” (This one helped me immensely through my midlife crisis.) & “The Secret Life of Bees.”
Lisa Scottoline – Female lawyer firm solves crimes.
Elinor Lipman – “Isabel’s Bed.”
Mameve Medwed – “Mail.”
Christopher Buckley – The “Thank You For Smoking” author. My favorite; “No Way to Treat a First Lady.”
I really could go on and on. I have kept a book diary since 1997. It helps when I can’t remember if I’ve read the book before! I have a longer list than this of authors I read, but these are the top 10.