Summer Reading List – Part 1

I read a lot. I go to the library weekly to get new books. I’m a fast reader and like reading various things. Fiction, murder mysteries, memoirs, autobiographies, nonfiction books about history and traveling and I love thought-provoking books that stay with me after I’m done reading them. Here are just a few books that are on my reading list:

1. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris: Long before “True Blood” the TV show, I was reading the Sookie Stackhouse series because I love everything vampire (except for Twilight, so don’t ask ;).) I still read the series and this is the newest in the series! This book wasn’t as great as the earlier books in the series. I think that happens a lot with series books–the author tends to lose steam around Book 18…19…20…etc… (also see: Anita Blake series).

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:  I was reluctant to add this to the list because it’s a teen fiction and I despised the Twilight books. But the concept of this series just sounded too intriguing to pass up. “In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch.” Update: LOVED this book! So glad that a coworker lent me the second in the series. It’s a page turner for sure!

3. Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt : “The Boston Globe describes Pictures of You “as part literary mystery, part domestic drama, and part psychological examination,” and, indeed, the novel kept most critics on their toes the entire time. A novel of loss, redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery, the intertwining stories grapple not only with the tragedy but also with the mystery of April’s hasty departure from her family.”

4. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda: “Gowda’s debut novel opens in a small Indian village with a young woman giving birth to a baby girl. The father intends to kill the baby (the fate of her sister born before her) but the mother, Kavita, has her spirited away to a Mumbai orphanage. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, Somer, a doctor who can’t bear children, is persuaded by her Indian husband, Krishnan, to adopt a child from India. Somer reluctantly agrees and they go to India where they coincidentally adopt Kavita’s daughter, Asha.”

5. The Affair by Lee Child: The newest by Lee Child. I love Lee Child novels. He’s an excellent writer! If you’re looking for a fantastic, exciting series to check out, get the first Jack Reacher novel and start from the beginning. I wait impatiently each year for a new one!

6. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp: “she invites us to slow down, to learn how to live the full life of eucharisteo (with grace, thanksgiving, joy) regardless of circumstances. With lovely word pictures inspired by everyday life in her family and on her farm, she writes about her struggle to live joyfully amid sin and sorrow and suffering.”

Some Blogs I’m Reading:

Eat, Drink, Run: Shelby missed her calling. She should have been an artists! Her drawings are hilarious.

Fat Cyclist: He liked riding his bike and was starting to notice that he had to walk up hills instead of riding them because he was overweight. He got healthy and writes great stories about cycling, raising money for Lance’s foundation and his own training. Great site!

The Wannabe Chef: Every post Evan does makes me drool. It makes me wish I had more time and skill in the kitchen to create some amazing dishes!

Chasing the Now: I’m fairly new to her blog but I really like what I read. She’s a runner living in Japan and I like her honesty and openness.

Cheaper Than Therapy: This blog never fails to make me laugh out loud. She writes about running and beer, complete with snarky comments and angry haiku’s.

Now if only I could spend my whole summer on the beach with some books…

QUESTION: What blogs and books are you currently reading?