Summer Reading: What's In Your Beach Bag?
FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: Comment On Here We Are For A Chance To Win A Signed Hardcover Copy of Lisa Scottoline's Latest Best Selling Book, "Look Again"
It is time to pick up that book that has been waiting for you since the cold days of winter. There is no better place than in a beach chair to turn the pages of an intriguing thriller, a victorian romance, or the current chick lit. Whatever your pleasure, indulge yourself!
Tell us what you are reading, going to read, want to read...I just finished my summer catch-up reading of James Patterson's books: Sail, Cross Country, Mary Mary, and Judge & Jury. If you like a thriller then I recommend any and all four. Warning: Each has its own brand of Patterson violence but the suspense is worth the gore.
As for the vampire trilogy that is o' so popular. I am finally giving myself over to it. There is a copy of Twilight at the top of my "to read" stack, along with two more Patterson books, Cross and Double Cross. Okay, this is beginning to sound like an obsession but I just love the Alex Cross story-lines.
This latest book by Lisa Scottoline looks to be another page turner in her long line of heart pounding plots. Lisa has managed to sell over 25 million copies of her books while raising a daughter as a single Mom! No easy feat, but her readers are glad she discovered her passion for writing.
How to win the July Gift Giveaway of "Look Again" -
1. You must be a Here We Are email subscriber
2. Tell us in the comments section what you are reading or recommend a book you've read
3. Comments published on any and all July entries will count - so if you are not currently up on the latest best seller, jump in on another conversation and share your thoughts!
NOTE: Comments are moderated, so you won't see them immediately upon submission. As long as they fall under our policy, they are published ASAP, and I do not reveal email addresses - ever!
Not sure what to comment about? Check out the popular comment thread answering Bionic Beauty's question, "What are you reading?" Jami, the Bionic Beauty, inspired this entry. The girls that commented at Bionic Beauty are responsible for me going over to the dark side...I want in on the vampire action, too!
So here's to your toes in the sand and nose in the book...remember to comment! The next book in your beach bag could be "Look Again."
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I am reading Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Posted by: Linda K | July 2009 at 06:11 PM
@Chris G: Who wrote it? I like the title. I just took a break from Jonathan Kellerman's latest, "Bones." It is hard NOT to put down...love his stuff.
Posted by: Luci Weston | July 2009 at 06:06 PM
I'm currently reading Dark Summer.
Posted by: Chris G. | July 2009 at 05:23 PM
@Emily: Wow! I am so glad you shared this series, I am not aware of it...and it sounds like I have been missing out. The titles are interesting, especially "Dragonfly in Amber," and your synopsis of the series is excellent. I do like a "time flip" storyline a lot. They are on my list for my next trip to the library. Thx!
Posted by: Luci Weston | July 2009 at 09:38 PM
I have a perennial favorite series that begins with the title Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. I enjoyed this series for years and reread them all several times. The newest installment is coming out in September, so now is a good time to familiarize yourself with this series. The novels are: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Each book follows a family composed of an eighteenth century Scottish highlander, his twentieth century wife-turned-healer, who travels back in time just after the second world war unexpectedly, and their daughter Brianna, who is raised in the seventies and then thrust into the eighteenth century just after her twentieth birthday.
The newest addition will be entitled An Echo in the Bone.
I am also an avid Twilight fan, and I also highly recommend Stephenie Meyer's adult novel, The Host.
Currently on my to read list are the sequel to Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett) called World Without End, and the Charlaine Harris vampire novels.
Posted by: Emily | July 2009 at 04:36 PM
@Mlynfin29: Good point! Your comment got me thinking about other types of books that would be a great summer read.
"The Count of Monte Cristo" is one that, for me, was magical. The descriptive quality of writing transported me back in time and I felt like I was there. While it isn't a "fast" read, it is worth it.
Thanks for sharing the "tree" books. They sound wonderful.
Posted by: Luci Weston | July 2009 at 01:20 PM
Hi gals,
Summer reading doesn't always need to be mysteries or thrillers, it can be about any of your passions. I recommend two books about trees. The first, Wild Trees, tells the true story of climbers of California redwoods. In the 1990s many of these giants were unexplored. This book profiles the odd and courageous individuals who just had to get up there and it sounds beautiful.
Another tree book I liked: The Golden Spruce, which takes place on an island off British Columbia. This area is part of temperate rainforest and the star of the book is a unique fir tree which was literally golden in color. Revered by the local Indian population a disillusioned environmentalist cuts down this tree and the story tells the impact this act has on the Indians, the environmentalists, and the local government. A tale told with humanity and a bit of a mystery as to why the guy who cut it down did it and where he went. Both books are written with verve and propel the reader forward with a what-is-going-to-happen-next style equal to any murder mystery.
-Marilyn
Posted by: mlynfin29 | July 2009 at 07:12 AM
@Anne, @BB, @Lisa: You girls are all correct...I am loving "Twilight." I waited to respond so that I could get through the first quarter of the book. So far, it is really engaging. I am enjoying the simplicity of Stephanie's writing and yet her images are so detailed.
I now see why everyone is over the moon with this trilology. Every second I get, I am trying to read more of the book.
@Janine: With all of the books I have been reading, my magazine pile is piling up! I like to keep up with them before the month passes in case there is timely info. Oh well, right now, the vampires are winning.
I, too, read "Dead Ringer." It was the first of her books that I picked up. Lisa Scottoline has an amazing knack for keeping the reader guessing.
Thanks to all for sharing!
Posted by: Luci Weston | July 2009 at 10:52 AM
I have actually been catching up on magazines that I haven't had time to read in the past few months. However, I did read Lisa Scottoline's "Dead Ringer" a few summers ago and really enjoyed it. It was very exciting.
I checked out the trailer and the first chapter of this new book, thanks for linking to it. "Look Again" is definitely on my "to read" list. Thanks for the suggestions!
Posted by: Janine N | July 2009 at 09:54 AM
Hi Luci,
Well as I spend every spare minute with my nose in a book-I blazed through the Twilight series (Stephenie Meyer) which of course I love & highly recommend. Then it was on to another Meyer book The Host-loved that as well even though it was vampire free. What a great novel on humanity and what sets "us" apart. Love of course-it is a must read as well!
Well...I needed more Vampiness! On to Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse Series which sadly I finished yesterday...it is always a little sad when you finish a great storyline and have to wait for the author to come up with more!
These are my favorite books for fun reading, I also loved The Naturally Scented Home by Julia Bird & Herbs & Aromatherapy by Joannah Metcalfe.
Happy reading! <3
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Kasper | July 2009 at 06:29 PM
Well, you know what I'm reading. :)
Currently:
Devil in the White City (still, it's quite long with teensy type)- but I highly recommend it. Fantastic US history read plus psychological profile/look at one of the US's more famous serial killers.
I just picked Eclipse up again and am re-reading it. ;) (The third installment of Twilight). It's by far my favorite, besides the draft of Midnight Sun that Stephenie released.
And since you're reading Twilight now, when you finish each book, I recommend you head to Stephenie's website and read the 'excerpts' out-takes and extended scenes. Really cool! Plus she has music playlists for each book. Warning- New Moon's will make you weepy...
I'm also re-reading one of my favorite books of all-time: Swan Song by David McGammon. It's a apocalypse character story. I have a 'thing' for those end-of-the-world stories.
Posted by: Bionic Beauty | July 2009 at 09:20 AM
Hi Luci--I just finished an ARC of NY Times best selling author Linda Lael Miller's The Bridegroom--terrific. She has such a great "voice". It comes out end of this month I think. You'll enjoy Twilight--a perfect beach read!
Posted by: Anne Carrole | July 2009 at 07:27 AM