My Summer Reading List

The Rogue Speaks:

Summer is my time to catch up on my reading. One can usually find me floating around in the pool with a Diet Coke and a book. This summer was a little different, however, since we were away for seven weeks. I am not a good traveler, and depend on books to get me through the rough spots. There were a lot of rough spots this summer, and I read 36 books and two manuscripts. Two of the books are not on my reading list, and frankly I don't even remember the titles. The manuscripts, I read early on, before we took off for the southeast. They were both excellent reads, and I am looking forward to getting a copy of each when they are published. I don't think I should say any more about them, however, since I don't have permission from the authors.

There were several books that I felt to be outstanding, beginning with Isabel Allende's book, Island Beneath The Sea. She writes in the classical style that I love, and does a lot of research to make sure her history is accurate. If you have never read her, you have missed something special. I was first introduced to Isabel Allende when her book, House Of The Spirits, was made into a movie with Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep. This is a very captivating film that made me want to investigate her body of work, and thus, I became a big fan.

I'm sure you are all familiar with Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, and many, many more. Oryx and Crake is the first in a trilogy, and I am anxious to read the next two books. I am not frequently drawn to futuristic writing, but I could not put this book down.

Kristin Hannah's The Winter Garden is the best of the ones I have read by this author. It is wonderfully written, and I felt myself in the story so much that her description of the garden in the winter actually made me feel cold.

Also by Kristin Hannah is Sarah's Key, a story that takes place in Nazi Germany, and ends in America. Don't read this one without Kleenex.

I have read all three of the Stieg Larsson books and found them to be excellent, real page turners! I am sure many of you have read them as well, but if not, please head out to the bookstore or library today!

Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian is also written in the classical style. No reading down the center of the page for this book. I devoured every word. It is historically accurate, and lets the reader know that Vlad the Impaler, the Dracula of myth, was a real person who fought the Ottoman Turks for his kingdom. I know I will read this book again.

I was going through Mum's bookshelves, trying to find something else to read, and came across a book that I had accidentally left there several years ago. It was The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Satterfield. Many of you have probably read it, but it was really worth reading again. I did not leave it behind this time.

I can recommend any and all of the books on my book list on the left, but these were the cream of the crop. Just scroll down the left side of my blog for the semi-complete list. If you have read any really excellent books this summer, please let me know so I can add them to my fall reading list.

I am off to the pool now, with my book and my Diet Coke. See you later!