Hello friends! Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Happy Juneteenth, too!
Donna and I are taking a break from the newsletter this week, but since summer is about to officially start, we wanted to see what you guys were planning to read for the season.
I’m excited to read ‘Possession’ by A.S. Byatt and ‘Near to the Wild Heart’ by Clarice Lispector. Donna’s looking forward to finishing ‘Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma’ by Claire Dederer and ‘Trust’ by Hernan Diaz.
What about you? Tell us what books you’re taking to the beach or otherwise unwinding with this summer in the thread below.
Right now, 'The Wager,' by David Grann, his new book about a shipwreck on a tiny island off the coast of Chile, and what happened to what was left of the crew after. After that, going to read Grann's 'The Lost City of Z' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
I love to read beach reads during summer so I have several of Elin Hilderbrand and Meg Mitchell Moores books on my TBR. I just finished reading Bad Summer People and if you love totally unlikeable characters, this one is for you.
I grabbed James Kestrel's Five Decembers at the library when no one showed up for a tutoring session this week and it got me interested to learn more about the Pacific Theater during WWII. I picked out the first of Ian Toll's Pacific War Trilogy on Audible but would appreciate other recommendations as well.
Thanks, Daniel! The only books I can think of off the top of my head about world war 2 in the Pacific are The Naked and the Dead and Hiroshima. Both worth reading for sure.
I’m spending sometime in NYC this summer so I’m thinking of picking up Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados - feels like the perfect summer in nyc beach read equivalent.
Working my way through Birnam Wood and while it's plotty and propulsive I'd happily sit and listen to Catton just describe the inner workings of everyone involved. Next up All The Sinners Bleed after loving Razorblade Tears.
My summer reading consists of opposites. I have a stack of travel books from Tim Moore, A.A. Gill, Bruce Chatwin, and mixed into those are Cell from Stephen King and My Heart is a Chainsaw from Stephen Graham Jones. Can't give up the scary books just because it's bright and sunny.
I am rereading The Street by Ann Petry for a book group and then reading David Copperfield, followed by Demon Copperhead, for a buddy read along. For fluff, I have the latest Elin Hilderbrand and am currently reading Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal. I am mixing it up!
#1 is read more BOOKS instead of tweets, posts, texts, etc. 🤪
Also:
Brandon Taylor "The Late Americans"
Mark Ellison "Building: A Carpenter's Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work"
Kaoru Takamura "Lady Joker Vol 1" (I might need help with this one--anyone know of an online book group?)
Peter Orner "Am I Alone Here"
Nadia Eghbal "Working in Public: the Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software"
I am also hedging my social media addiction by joining a Twitter list called #DeWitt2023 to read Helen DeWitt's "The Last Samurai" in August even though I've read it a couple of times because I love it so much.
For now I have Fahrenheit 451, Swastika Night by Katharine Burdekin and Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger on my list to finish this month. But of course, more books to come in July and August that I haven't decided yet!
I’ve been reading quite a few rom-coms so far this spring/summer. But my birthday is next month so I’m hoping to find an exciting new summer thriller release.
I’m so late to this conversation, but I’m also reading Trust and it’s brilliant! Just finished some Eve Babitz which was also wonderful but still trying to find that elusive Perfect Summer Read.
It's never too late, Natalie! Thanks for your note. Glad you're enjoying Trust. I love Eve Babitz, too. We share a birthday! Good luck finding a perfect summer read. I'm on a similar quest. The book I'm reading now is good but DENSE.
Right now, 'The Wager,' by David Grann, his new book about a shipwreck on a tiny island off the coast of Chile, and what happened to what was left of the crew after. After that, going to read Grann's 'The Lost City of Z' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
Thanks, Terrell! I’m looking forward to reading that one. It sounds really interesting. I really enjoyed Flower Moon. Definitely check it out!
I love to read beach reads during summer so I have several of Elin Hilderbrand and Meg Mitchell Moores books on my TBR. I just finished reading Bad Summer People and if you love totally unlikeable characters, this one is for you.
Thanks, Gayla! Unlikeable characters can be so much fun!
I grabbed James Kestrel's Five Decembers at the library when no one showed up for a tutoring session this week and it got me interested to learn more about the Pacific Theater during WWII. I picked out the first of Ian Toll's Pacific War Trilogy on Audible but would appreciate other recommendations as well.
http://www.hardcasecrime.com/books_bios.cgi?title=Five%20Decembers
https://www.audible.com/pd/Pacific-Crucible-War-at-Sea-in-the-Pacific-1941-1942-Audiobook/B0062CHMRE
Thanks, Daniel! The only books I can think of off the top of my head about world war 2 in the Pacific are The Naked and the Dead and Hiroshima. Both worth reading for sure.
See also Battle Cry, by Leon Uris; and From Here to Eternity, and The Thin Red Line, both by James Jones.
Thanks for the recs, Stephen!
I’m spending sometime in NYC this summer so I’m thinking of picking up Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados - feels like the perfect summer in nyc beach read equivalent.
Thanks, Renee! That book is on my list, too. Hope you enjoy New York!!
I am obsessed with this book - I have read it three times in the last six months because it's so subtle and entertaining at the same time.
ooo that’s great to hear :) now I’m more excited to read it!
Working my way through Birnam Wood and while it's plotty and propulsive I'd happily sit and listen to Catton just describe the inner workings of everyone involved. Next up All The Sinners Bleed after loving Razorblade Tears.
Thanks, Daejin! I liked The Luminaries but haven’t gotten to Burnham Wood yet. Haven’t read Cosby yet, but on my list. Enjoy!
My summer reading consists of opposites. I have a stack of travel books from Tim Moore, A.A. Gill, Bruce Chatwin, and mixed into those are Cell from Stephen King and My Heart is a Chainsaw from Stephen Graham Jones. Can't give up the scary books just because it's bright and sunny.
Just put a hold on MHiaCS
Love it! You’re exactly right! Thanks Jennifer!!
I am rereading The Street by Ann Petry for a book group and then reading David Copperfield, followed by Demon Copperhead, for a buddy read along. For fluff, I have the latest Elin Hilderbrand and am currently reading Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal. I am mixing it up!
Thanks, Kate! That’s a great mix!
I’ve got This is How You Lose the Time War on my TBR shelf.
Thanks, Charlotte!! Let me know what you think of it. I’ve had my eye on that book.
Probably going to read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and see what's that about.
Thanks, Luiza! People have raved about that book. I hope you enjoy it!
#1 is read more BOOKS instead of tweets, posts, texts, etc. 🤪
Also:
Brandon Taylor "The Late Americans"
Mark Ellison "Building: A Carpenter's Notes on Life & the Art of Good Work"
Kaoru Takamura "Lady Joker Vol 1" (I might need help with this one--anyone know of an online book group?)
Peter Orner "Am I Alone Here"
Nadia Eghbal "Working in Public: the Making and Maintenance of Open Source Software"
I am also hedging my social media addiction by joining a Twitter list called #DeWitt2023 to read Helen DeWitt's "The Last Samurai" in August even though I've read it a couple of times because I love it so much.
Love all this, Courtney! Especially the pivot away from posts! A big goal for me, too.
For now I have Fahrenheit 451, Swastika Night by Katharine Burdekin and Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger on my list to finish this month. But of course, more books to come in July and August that I haven't decided yet!
Thanks, Mercè! Always exciting to look forward to more books!!
I’ll be starting This is How You Lose the Time War in a minute, then listening to Coronation Year.
Thanks, Graceann! Enjoy!!
I’ve been reading quite a few rom-coms so far this spring/summer. But my birthday is next month so I’m hoping to find an exciting new summer thriller release.
Thanks, Aleesha!! Happy early birthday! I hope you find a great book. Enjoy!
I’m so late to this conversation, but I’m also reading Trust and it’s brilliant! Just finished some Eve Babitz which was also wonderful but still trying to find that elusive Perfect Summer Read.
It's never too late, Natalie! Thanks for your note. Glad you're enjoying Trust. I love Eve Babitz, too. We share a birthday! Good luck finding a perfect summer read. I'm on a similar quest. The book I'm reading now is good but DENSE.
We’re taking a look at Search History by Amy Taylor - great to see an Australian novelist having a breakout.
That’s great! I’ll check it out.