2011 Must-Have Summer Reads
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Sitting on my nightstand are books about business, religion, raw food eating, effective people, the sociology of thinking, and the thought and character of William James. I’m knee deep in each of them. Can’t read enough these days.
Remember way back when I asked you all if you had any great book suggestions? Well, holy hannah, did you deliver. There were dozens of comments left with titles of books I’d never even heard of.
I thought I’d compile all of those books and put them together in a simple, printable format for you, since Summer Reading Season is officially here, and I don’t want you left at the beach without something succulent to read.
So, here is a list of the recommendations made by you lovely readers sometime in mid-April. I’ve only read two or three of the books in the list, so if you have any that you particularly adore, I’d love your feedback left in the comments section of this post. Help a neighbor out and tell them which books should be top of their lists! And, if there’s a to-die for book that I don’t have on this list, by all means…tell us! We can’t have the lot of us missing out on something truly delish now, can we?! Happy Reading!
Recipe for Rock-Awesome Summer Reading
The Cheeky Readers have sounded off several weeks about about their favorite books, and I couldn't help but share the list of splendid suggestions. Everything from juvenile fiction to hard-thinking nonfiction is on this list, and I can't wait to delve into the books I haven't read. I added a list of my all-time favorite books, and tried to organize everything else into sensical categories. Since I'm fairly conservative in my book choices (no blood, guts, heinous murder crimes, or red hot moments of bodice-ripping romance, thank you very much), you can read into my suggestions as you wish. Which, as you Princess Bride fans know, "as you wish" means I love you. And you'd better believe, I do. Happy Reading!
Ingredients:
BROOKE RECOMMENDS
Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier--Suspensful and deliciously ambient. Addictive reading.
I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith--Romantic and wistful, this book makes me smile.
Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury--Summer reading perfection.
The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson--Don't even get me started on this brilliant work of page-turning historical fiction. Splendid.BEACH READS
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Still Missing by Chevy StevensREAD-IT-BEFORE-YOU-SEE-IT FICTION
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
One Day, by David Nicholls
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey NiffeneggerTHOUGHTFUL & BREATHTAKING
The Book of Flying by Keith Miller
Still Alice, by Lisa Genova
The Alchemist, Paulo CoheloNONFICTION YOU NEED
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by Daniel H. Pink
The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life, by Jasmin Darznik
Escape from a Polygamist Cult, by Cariolyn Jessop
Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follet
Traveling with Pomegranates, by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kid Taylor
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, by Charles C. Mann
Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-time Eater, by Frank Bruni
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Lauren Hillenbrand
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls
Life Is So Good: One Man's Extraordinary Journey through the 20th Century and How he Learned to Read at Age 98, by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman
The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion
Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat, by Gwen CooperMYSTERY & SUSPENSE
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
A Corpse in the Koryo (Inspector O Novels)by James Church
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonFUN FICTION
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
Friday Night Knitting Club, by Kate Jacobs
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch
The Lakeshore Chronicles series by Susan Wiggs
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Blossom Street series by Debbie Macomber
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
Safe Harbor by Nicholas Sparks
Matched by Ally Condie
A Woman’s Place, by Lynn AustinYOUNG ADULT
The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DeCamillo
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The Book Thief, by Markus ZusakFire and Hemlock, by Diana Wynne Jones
Daddy Long Legs, by Jean WebsterRELIGIOUS
The Peacegiver, by James L. Ferrell
The Gifts of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels, by Thomas Cahill
Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life, by Shauna NiequistCLASSICS
Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton)
Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift
The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas
A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole
Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery
North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray BradburyDirections:
Indulge. Devour. Enjoy.
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Tanya on June 13, 2011 at 5:45 am
Wowza – LOVE the book list – I’ve only read a few – Heanrietta Lacks *so good*. Confederate of Dunces – I’m not sure I loved this one but the main (only) character was … unique.
Donna on June 13, 2011 at 8:09 am
What a great list! I’m definitely going to have to add some of those to my to-read list. Thanks!
Karly on June 13, 2011 at 10:00 am
Okay, this is totally off-topic, but I just watched your little Bisquick video there in the sidebar. I’m sorry, but I have to say it: I love you. I just really love you.
Brooke replied: — June 13th, 2011 @ 11:49 pm
I just really love you, too!!!!
schinders on June 13, 2011 at 10:32 am
so glad you liked my recommendations! have a great, book-filled summer!
Brooke replied: — June 13th, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
Yes! They were GREAT! Thank you!
Katrina on June 13, 2011 at 11:15 am
Thank you so much for putting the time into this. I just printed out this list and am going to the store tomorrow with it. They should pay you for your promotions, lol.
Brooke replied: — June 13th, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
Oh, I’m so glad you printed the list! It’s a goodie!
mangiabella on June 13, 2011 at 4:09 pm
I’m so lovin’ your list right now!! And I couldn’t help but smile at your Princess Bride reference…not only one of my favorite movies of all time, but it was one of my favorite must-read-before-you-see books too…although so many may have seen it *numerous times* – it still is a must read!! I’m definitely wanting to read The Kite Runner, The Help and The Devil in the White City!! And I’ve heard such great things about I Capture the Castle…another one on my list….you have such fabulous taste bella!
A few books worth recommending: “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young, “The Sacred Romance” (also can purchase the incredible accompanying workbook) by Brent Curtis & John Eldredge, (I also loved “waking the dead” by John Eldredge) and “Captivating: Unveiling the mystery of a woman’s soul” by Stasi Eldredge
Some fabulous young adult reads: The “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter. The “Redwall” series by Brian Jacques. “Little Pilgrim’s Progress: From John Bunyan’s Classic” by Helen L. Taylor
and my husband thoroughly enjoyed the series, “Black, Red, White” by Ted Dekker
happy summer reading to all!!
Brooke replied: — June 13th, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
Thank you, sweet girl! Love the added recommendations, too! You are wonderful!
Colleen on June 13, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Oh.. this list makes me so stinkin’ happy! I am reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks right now. It is really good.
Brooke replied: — June 13th, 2011 @ 11:47 pm
I was watching the Amazon Video for that book last night. Incredible. What a story. It makes me so sad. I’m totally picking up the book!
Carolyn on June 14, 2011 at 6:04 pm
LOVE your list! Will add many to my own summer reading list. I was also SO intrigued with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson. If you like it, you must read the two sequels, they compete the story: The Girl Who Played with Fire and the Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest – FABULOUS! I couldn’t put them down.
Dana on June 15, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Brooke, I knew you were special from the first moment I met you, but seeing this list gave me goosebumps. Rebecca has been a favorite since I first read it at age 12. And I read Dandelion Wine in 9th grade with a most treasure English teacher. I remember reading Devil in the White City while on a train from Wales to London and just heard his newest book is a must read. Need to see you again asap!
Stacey Lee Killpack on June 16, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Wowza! That summer reading list pretty much rocks my world! xxx
Beth Hoffman on June 17, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Thank you so much for including my novel Saving CeeCee Honeycutt on your list!
raeann on June 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm
i have to say – i don’t consider the book thief young adult. yes, the main character is a tween, but the content is anything but childish.
other than that – awesome list! if you haven’t read hotel on the corner of bitter & sweet or the art of racing in the rain, they are both great reads. a fun, quick read is the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society – i was sad when it ended.
Megan on June 22, 2011 at 4:27 pm
If you liked Hunger Games, you should definitely read Divergent by Veronica Roth. I finished it in five hours and it’s set in Chicago!
http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Trilogy-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062024027
Tricia on June 24, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I’m certain she was left off your list because you’ve already read everything she has, but in the case that you have not, you absolutely must read Jodi Picoult. Nearly every one of her books is amazing, and I can never wait for the next one! Otherwise, outstanding list! I just gobbled up the help in 48 hrs (and I have a puppy and six month old to take care of) – it was *that* good!
Natalie on July 11, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Thank you SO much for these recommendations! I’m always looking for good books to read and I think these will hit the spot! I have to recommend a great book that I just read recently: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. It’s a wonderful story!
Pamela on July 13, 2011 at 9:55 pm
OMG! I can’t believe that “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach” is on your list! I know of only one other person who 1. knows about this book and 2. was willing to read it. I absolutely love it, it was definetely one of the most informative books I’ve ever read.
Debra Helmer on August 2, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Just stumbled on this site….I like it. RE: summer reads…what, no cookbooks???? lol….I have at least 3 on my bedside table!
Brooke replied: — August 3rd, 2011 @ 10:55 pm
So true. About a thousand cookbooks could be added to that list!