As summer gets into full swing, so does the possibility of sneaking a few hours away from work and other responsibilities. Whether you're heading for the beach or relaxing in your own back yard, summer reading is a time-honored tradition and something to look forward to each year.
This year offers a number of worthwhile books to satisfy that summer reading urge. Below are some of the highlights:
New Works by Bestselling Authors
While not extremely intellectually challenging, popular authors like James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, and Mary Higgins Clark consistently produce enjoyable, easy-to-read novels. The summer crop includes "Fearless Fourteen," the latest Stephanie Plum novel by Evanovich (just out in mid-June); "Sundays at Tiffany's," "Sail," and "7th Heaven" (a Women's Murder Club mystery) by James Patterson; and "Where Are you Now?" a summer thriller by Mary Higgins Clark. Also worth packing is the latest courtroom action by John Grisham, "The Appeal," an all-too-real look at the US court system.
New Discoveries
Works by new authors worth taking to the beach include Benjamin Black's "Silver Swan," the follow-up to his 2007 release "Christine Falls," which is now available in paperback. Black is the pen name for Booker Prize-winning author John Banville and his mystery prose is as beautiful as that of his more scholarly works. Banville's foray into mystery fiction combines complex plots with interesting and well-developed characters.
Also worth reading is "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. Easily the best mystery novel of the last two years, this book is a Gothic mystery in the tradition of DuMaurier's "Rebecca" with a few new twists, elegantly written.
Chick Lit
Every beach book bag needs at least one "Chick Lit" tome. This year's offerings include "Certain Girls" by Jennifer Weiner, "Change of Heart" by Jodi Picoult, "Friday Nights" by Joanna Trollope, and "Off Season" by Anne Rivers Siddons. For a slightly upbeat and humorous chick lit novel, grab a copy of Lisa Lutz's "Meet the Spellmans."
Classics
You can never go wrong with a classic-either an old favorite or one that you've been meaning to read. New editions of old standards released this season include "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin, "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery (the 100th anniversary edition), "The Tenet of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Bronte, and "The Widow," a classic mystery by George Simenon.
Whatever you decide to read, savor those beach reading hours. They are truly one of the joys of summer.
