This is NOT your typical Summer Reading List. This is a list of books I personally plan to read this summer. I expect that most summer reading lists include actual recommendations based upon personal reviews of the books. Not mine. I haven’t read any of these books. If you wish to read along with me, do so at your own risk, because I can’t vouch for a single title. I can tell you how I chose these particular books. Some are obvious (#NewYorkBestSellers). Some, not so much. But, don’t we believe fabulous “older” books are waiting to be read too?
- The Girl on the Train (Paula Hawkins). There’s lots of buzz about this book which has been referred to as the next Gone Girl. Am I the only person who hasn’t read it? Probably. Sometimes I’m slow that way.
- All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr). A friend recommended this book to me just last weekend. She had that oh-my-God-drop-everything-and-read-this-immediately look in her eye. I went right out and bought it.
- Hold Still Sally Mann (a memoir by photographer Sally Mann). I bought this book specifically because of a BookPeople Instagram post. See? Social media really works.
- Words Fail Me (Patricia T. O’Conner). I typically have a book on the ‘craft of writing’ beside my bedside table, and I read paragraphs here and there before I go to bed. Since I love to write, I find these sort of books motivating, and this is the next one I plan to read.
- The Life and Times of an Arkansaw Doctor (David Rattlehead, edited by W. K. McNeil). I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite some time. This book, written in 1851 (reprinted in 1989), was “the first volume solely devoted to Arkansas folk humor” and “provides a generally correct account of folklife on the Arkansas frontier in the 1850s”. I love reading about Arkansas history and consider it research for future writing.
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Robert Pirsig). This is one of those wildly popular, forward-thinking, cult-ish books I’ve never read. I’m gonna change that.
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain). Since I am an introvert, and I think people in general talk too much, this book grabbed my attention.
- The Pleasure of my Company (Steve Martin). Well, who doesn’t love Steve Martin? I enjoyed his book Shopgirl, and this one sounded quick and easy and something that could be read on a plane ride, not that I’m going anywhere. His protagonist wins “Most Average American” award, which has already made me laugh.
- The Deep Green Sea (Robert Olen Butler). I absolutely love Robert Olen Butler’s writing style, and this book, published in 1998, is one I missed. I can’t wait to read it.
- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (Anne Tyler). This book dates back to the 1980s. I read somewhere that this book is possibly Anne Tyler’s best work and since I haven’t read it, I snapped it up at the Dickson Street Bookshop. Score.
- Tales of the South Pacific (James A. Michener). This classic, published in 1947, inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical South Pacific. This is also that book that (according to my Daddy) inspired my odd first name. For years, I’ve planned to read this book and find my name inside it, but I never have. I have Daddy’s original copy, but it’s brittle and fragile and I think the pages might disintegrate if I handle it, so I found this more recently printed paperback at a yard sale. Wish me luck, it’s Michener… (#wordy)
IN OTHER BOOK RELATED NEWS…
Saturday, May 16, is WORLDWIDE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY BOOK DRIVE DAY. Bring new or gently-used children’s and young adult books to your friendly neighborhood Little Free Libraries. Snap a photo of yourself dropping off books and post it in social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) using the hashtag #givebooks. Random participants will be selected to receive goodies. Read more about this HERE.
Our Little Free Library has been a big hit in our neighborhood. The books constantly change as neighbors take and leave books. As I read the books on my “not your typical” Summer Reading List, I plan to add them to the library so others can enjoy them. Thanks to all who are supporting our library!
For you Fayetteville book lovers, on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from Noon-6pm, Nightbird Books is having an Overstock Sale as part of the 5th Annual Block Street Block Party. Also, The Curious Book Shoppe on Block Street is having a Gigantic Spring Used Book Sale from 10am-7pm. What a great way to pick up a few good books for your summer reading! (Rain, rain, stay away…)
Whew! That’s all the book related news I have today. What’s on your summer reading list? I always crave more books!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]”not your typical” Summer Reading List! @BookPeople @nightbirdbooks #givebooks @LtlFreeLibrary[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Summertime, Zombies
Great post! I have read about half of these, and would love to read the other half…since we just sold our house and are moving about a mile and a half away and redoing this “new-old” home, my summer reading will no doubt suffer – but this inspires me!
I still want to drop by and say “hi” and meet you one of these days – but it may be a few weeks…would love to talk “books” with you!
Jo Ann
Sounds like a great plan, Jo Ann. Would love to meet you!
Enjoyed your list! Here’s mine.
1. Marcel Proust, “Swann’s Way.” I’ve never read Proust and feel a little guilty.
2. Anne Lamott, “Bird by Bird.” Like you, I select occasional books on writing.
3. Chiron Review. The editor and publisher, Michael Hathaway is the director of the Stafford County Historical and Genealogical Museum and has published short stories, essays, and poems for most of his life (the Spring Issue being #98). The contributing writers and poets come from across America.
4. Hannah Arendt, “The Life of the Mind.” One of my favorite websites is “Brain Pickings,” and I learn of many intriguing books on that site. I recommend the website as a weekly pleasure!
5. Evelyn Waugh, “Brideshead Revisited.” I watched the mini-series on tv years ago and have wanted to read the book since then…and finally have it at the ready to read.
6. Carl Sagan, “The Varities of Scientific Experience.” I am a Sagan fan.
7. Jacob A. Riis, “How the Other Half Lives.” I found this book during research for Isaac Werner. It reveals the poverty in NYC during the Gilded Age. I read some of it but want to read it from start to finish.
8. “Hearts Touches by Fire, The best of Battles and Leaders of the Civil War.” I recently read “Killer Angels” and recommend it. I bought this THICK collection because I am curious to explore the civil war further. I have Foote’s 3-vol. set and Mary Chestnut, among others, but it was “Killer Angels” that reignited my interest in that tragic period of American history.
9. P.L. Travers, “Mary Poppins” with intro by Gregory Maguire. I have never read Travers and am curious to read the original version rather than Walt Disney’s. Also, I love Gregory Maguire and have read most (if not all) of his books, so I was intrigued by his having written the intro for this collection.
10. Willa Cather, “Youth and the Bright Medusa.” This collection of short stories was published in 1920, my favorite being ‘The Sculptor’s Funeral.’ I am a huge Cather fan, and the University Press of Nebraska has published a series of annotated Cather titles. I have read the short stories but am looking forward to the scholarly analysis. We plan to make one day of the Spring Conference in Red Cloud, Nebraska in June but can’t fit in the seminar in Lincoln. If you love Cather, you need to put a visit to Red Cloud on your bucket list, and if you can manage it, attending the annual spring conference there would be something worth doing.
Wow, I’m impressed Lyn! Bird by Bird is one of my favorite books ever. You will love it. I may add Mary Poppins to my list too.
Your list looks intriguing, Talya. I just finished The Girl on the Train, loved it. Also read Quiet some time ago and found it interesting. I have a stack by Greg Iles to read next.
Thanks for your input! I think I’m going to start with The Girl on the Train:))
Love your list, Talya! The first two are on my rather lengthy TBR list, but I just finished Euphoria by Lily King and am about to embark on Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck for my next book club read. I better buckle down, because I opened it up last night and there are a lot of pages and fairly small type (for these old and weary eyes!) … yikes!!
Good luck! I hope it’s a good one:))
I want to read The Girl on the Train and A Light We Cannot See. Guess I am going to have to pay a visit to TBIB. Yay! Great blog.
I’ll bring them to the lake!
I wish my HOA would allow things like your Little Free Library. But NOOOOOO, it would be against the neighborhood covenant, and WE MUSTN’T DO ANYTHING INNOVATIVE OR FUN.
As for my reading list, look up “2015 Hugo Award Nominees” 🙂
I don’t understand covenants that don’t allow LFLs. One recently made the news in Dallas because the owners were forced to remove it due to homeowner restrictions. I’m gonna look up your list now! I know it will be interesting.
A great post and an ambitious reading list. I wish I could give you an impressive list, but I’ll have to think about.
What an interesting list! Now I’ll have to work on my own!
There’s just something about a list:)
That’s quite a list!
I love to read and I’m technically starting in Spring. LOL.
Catching up on my blog reading! 😉 Quiet is such a great book!!!
I think so too. I’ve read a few chapters already.
I really need to go to that book store!!!!!
Loved Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. But I love most of what Anne Tyler writes. I plan to read the Doerr book this summer myself.
Such a varied list! It looks like you’ll be busy 🙂 I love Susan Cain’s Quiet. I’m also an introvert and I had many ‘a-ha’ moments reading that book. Enjoy your summer reading!