I read all the time, every season, but I really enjoy picking out books for our yearly camping trip or to take to the beach. There’s nothing like reading next to the lake or in the screen house or under the beach umbrella with my feet stuck in the sand. I’ve been thinking about the books I’m really excited about reading this summer. Some have yet to be released and some are in my review pile, while others are ones that I just have to get my hands on. Some might not strike you as beach reads, but they’re the right kind of book for me to sink my teeth into when I have plenty of time and no distractions.
I’m most excited about these:
The Second Empress by Michelle Moran, out in August (Amazon/IndieBound)
The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri, which was released May 15 (Amazon/IndieBound)
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which was released May 15 (Amazon/IndieBound)
**My husband ordered this for me for Mother’s Day, and I can’t wait for it to arrive!**
Sea Change by Karen White, out June 5 (Amazon/IndieBound)
All Roads Lead to Austen by Amy Elizabeth Smith, out June 1 (Amazon/IndieBound)
Flight From Berlin by David John, out July 10 (Amazon/IndieBound)
Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister, out in paperback June 5 (Amazon/IndieBound)
I thought I’d also give you some summer reading recommendations based on books I’ve read so far this year. So…
*if you’re looking for light reading with romance, humor, and endearing characters, then try anything by Jill Mansell (I’m reading her latest novel, Nadia Knows Best right now and am enjoying it)
*if you’re looking for light, modern-day Austenesque novels, then try Victoria Connelly’s trilogy about Austen addicts (I loved the last installment, Mr. Darcy Forever), Persuade Me by Juliet Archer, or Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos (look for my review on AustenBlog soon)
*if you’re looking for a darker Austenesque book with some mystery and Gothic elements, then try The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy by Regina Jeffers
*if you’re looking for light, historical mysteries, then try A Lesson in Secrets (or any Maisie Dobbs book) by Jacqueline Winspear or The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose
*if you’re looking for quick reads with substance, heavier than what you’d expect for a beach read but great for readers who don’t want lighter fare, then try I Am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits, The Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy, The Golden Hour by Margaret Wurtele, or The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey
So, now I want to hear from you, dear friends. What books are on your summer reading list, and what books do you think I should add to mine?
Disclosure: I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Hm, I have not really thought about it, but I think I will try to read a bit of chick-lit 🙂
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Chick-lit is always good for summer reading. I have 3 more Jill Mansell books waiting to be read. Maybe those will make it into my camping bag. 🙂
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I’m reading Cottage at Glass Beach now and am enjoying it and I’ve already reviewed Nadia Knows Best. I really loved PERLA
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I can’t wait to read Perla, and borrow your copy of The Cottage at Glass Beach! 🙂
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Everyone seems to be excited about Code Name Verity. The only book I have on your list is Sea Change.
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I’ve read nothing but glowing reviews about Code Name Verity so I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival. Although I can’t wait for the next installment of the Tradd Street series, I’m excited about Karen White’s new standalone novel.
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Oh Lord, I don’t even know. Probably Robert Goolrick’s second novel and a bunch of stuff from my TBR. 😀
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I have the new Goolrick novel, and it does look good! I know I’m a bit early with summer reading picks, but I like to have a plan. 🙂
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I hadn’t heard of All Roads Lead to Austen, but I love theme books like this one sounds. I think I will check it out.
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I can’t wait to get started on it. I look forward to seeing what you think of it.
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I have no clue what my summer TBR list will be at this point, other than a bunch of Harry Potter books.
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Harry Potter would make great summer reading. Enjoy!
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I love this list. It looks so… summery. Lol. I’ll be on the look out for your reviews.
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Great, thanks! 🙂
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Michelle Moran! Very good choice! I’m still working out my summer TBR — I want to try another Anne Patchett, and I’ve got some review queue stuff to organize…
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I plan to mix it up this summer, with some review books I’m behind on and the new stuff I really want to read. I’ve read one Patchett book and thought it was pretty good; that was ages ago, though.
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I love your list! I have Joy for Beginners and I totally forgot I had it!
I need to come up with my summer list but it’s always dark. LOL.
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I like a mix of light and dark reading. I guess the only thing different from my normal reads is that the summer ones, even the darker ones, don’t require too much deep thinking, LOL.
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You will love Joy for Beginners! I have Sea Change and Flight From Berlin on my list too. I have tons of books on my summer reading list. I hope I get to read them all.
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I’m glad to hear that. I loved loved loved The School for Essential Ingredients, so I can’t wait to start Joy for Beginners.
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You are so far ahead of me. I’m in the editing cave for another two books. With any luck I’ll get to read something.
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Sounds like you have some important work to do and that summer reading needs to take a back seat to that. Maybe you’ll be able to squeeze in a book or two…fingers crossed!
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So many great books coming out. Some I recognize and others are new…love them!
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And these are just the ones I’m aware of! I’m sure I’ll see tons more summer releases that I can’t wait to get my hands on.
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I’m of course looking forward to All Roads Lead to Austen!
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I had a feeling you would be! 🙂
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