It is summer.
Time of heat.
Of sand.
Of cool drinks and crappy plotless movies.
Also: an excellent time to read.
NEW BOOKS ARE COMING.
Seriously, scads of awesome releases coming in the next few months — so, whatcha got? What’s on your radar? And, if you’ll permit me a follow-up question:
What’s one of your favorite summer reads? A book that seems divinely-crafted to sit on the beach and devour while your body turns to a glistening lobster-colored blister?
Be advised: crappy people recommend their own books.
Don’t be crappy.
See you in the comments.
J says:
Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
June 22, 2014 — 9:48 PM
MB says:
Just finished Fortune’s Pawn by Rachel Bach. How much did I love it? As soon as I got to a place with internet access,I bought the sequel. Totally kick-ass mercenary main characater who owns her faults and her strengths with equanimity. I love a sassy female action hero, especially one whose mouth sometimes moves faster than her brain. The pacing is absolutely riveting, and the plotting is as tight and controlled as race car driver ripping around a hairpin curve. There are moments that will feel familiar, but read on–you really won’t guess what’s coming next. ‘Scuse me, that second book is waiting.
June 22, 2014 — 9:51 PM
Jude Wiesner says:
If you love beautiful language read the new release “Watermark – The truth beneath the surface” by Sari Sikstrom. The words melt on you rogue like a soft caramel.
June 22, 2014 — 9:53 PM
Kaleb JD Russell says:
One book I can’t wait for is Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan. It is the second in the Ravens Shadow Shadow Trilogy. The first book was spectacular and got me interested in Epic Fantasy. Tower Lord comes out on July 1st, so there is plenty of time to grab the first book in anticipation for the next. I promise you won’t regret reading it!
June 22, 2014 — 9:53 PM
Jude Wiesner says:
Actually they melt on you “tongue” (:
June 22, 2014 — 9:54 PM
The Glitzy Faery says:
I know that not a lot of people love poetry, but I fell in love with Helen Patrice reading her SF-themed “A Woman of Mars”, which Ray Bradbury even liked enough to blurb.
Her new one is “Palentology for Beginners”. It’s more personal rather than fiction-in-poetry, but still wonderful. If you’re looking to step outside your comfort zone, you could do worse. 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/Palaeontology-Beginners-Helen-Patrice/dp/1499590903/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403063167&sr=1-4&keywords=Helen+Patrice
June 22, 2014 — 9:54 PM
Leslie says:
I am anxiously waiting on How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back, which should be out pretty soon.
June 22, 2014 — 9:57 PM
Michael Patrick Hicks says:
There’s a few indie titles I was really impressed by, firstly Jason Gurley’s ELEANOR. Great read, and definitely a terrific beach-read. Therin Knite’s OTHELLA is also pretty damn cool, and I’m little more than half-way through that one. I also really dug IRRADIATED by S. Elliot Brandis, who is launching his follow-up pretty soon.
On the traditional front, I’m eying your next Heartland book, Chuck! Obviously. And there’s also a new Tom Clancy title, and Greg Rucka’s BRAVO. I picked up the first in a new line of VERONICA MARS books yesterday (haven’t seen the movie yet, so can’t read that until after I see the flick), and the next one is due out in the fall. In the front-half of September, a new title from Lauren Beukes and the first novel ever by David Cronenberg.
So yeah, lots of titles to be excited about over the next few months. I know I’m forgetting so many at the moment, but those are my big must-reads at the moment. And, I still have plenty from the winter releases I need to catch up on, too…
June 22, 2014 — 10:01 PM
Elena Linville says:
I would recommend The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovich (and all the sequels). It’s about London and magic, and not a single Harry Potter in sight. I love the world, I love the stories and I absolutely love the protagonist. I know the fourth book in the series came out not a very long time ago.
June 22, 2014 — 10:26 PM
susanhughesspencer says:
Best beach reads are the light Janet Evanovich novels about Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, beginning with One for the Money. Yes, I’ve read up to, and including, Notorious Nineteen and they are still making me laugh out loud as I soak in the sun!
June 22, 2014 — 10:29 PM
Doreen Queen says:
Loved Jim Butcher’s newest “Skin Game” – even after 15 books, Harry Dresden is doing it right!
June 22, 2014 — 10:31 PM
Mark Matthews says:
Les Edgerton’s book “The Rapist”. Thank god for kindles, so I don’t need to explain a title that nobody can see I’m reading.
June 22, 2014 — 10:38 PM
JoMax says:
I’m looking forward to The Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley. I blame Mike Underwood for my fascination about reading this book. Besides the excellent blurb, and it being written by Hurley, the main selling point for me was when Mike Underwood explained that he would knife fight a man to get Angry Robot Books to acquire it.
Favorite summer read? Skin Games by Jim Butcher. That guy just gets my need for pop-culture references and Die Hard characters that never quit.
June 22, 2014 — 10:40 PM
Joe says:
It’s not out until November, but the book I’m most looking forward to is REVIVAL by Stephen King. Dude never disappoints. http://www.stephenking.com/library/novel/revival.html
June 22, 2014 — 10:40 PM
miceala says:
So, ROGUES, the epic compilation of short stories by people like Gaiman and Rothfuss with editor G. R. R. Martin juuuuust came out.
And while it’s not a summer release, apparently FAIREST, a Lunar Chronicles prequel the existence of which Marissa Meyer just dropped like a glorious bomb on her fans, is apparently coming out in January of 2015.
There’s an older book called THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER by Steve Kluger that’s an appropriately good read for summer. It’s written epistolary style, and I and everyone I’ve recommended it to has literally laughed aloud while reading it.
June 22, 2014 — 10:42 PM
Patrick says:
Shattered by Kevin Hearne. The Iron Druid is awesome.
June 22, 2014 — 10:45 PM
Mark Matthews says:
I already feel wrong posting that title. I’m also reading “MockingJay” along with my daughter and promising to take her to a midnight viewing of the movie when it opens in November. There, I feel better.
June 22, 2014 — 10:46 PM
A Citizen of the World says:
Kevin Hearne’s “Iron Druid Chronicles” and “Shattered” is just out. ‘Nuff said!
June 22, 2014 — 10:48 PM
Valerie says:
Favorite book to read on the beach “Where’d You Go Bernadette.”
June 22, 2014 — 10:59 PM
epbeaumont says:
I am getting my nonfiction groove on this summer, with The Transformation of the World: A Global History of the Nineteenth Century (America in the World) by Jürgen Osterhammel (translated from the German by Patrick Camiller). Marvelous, multi-disciplinary perspective by a German historian who’s a specialist on China, which gives it a very different center of mass. Also reading Adam Hochschild’s To End All Wars (a book about WWI that reads like a novel).
On the fiction front, looking forward to Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Sword (sentient starships – yay! and hers are really different from mine, which reassures me that I am not unoriginal), currently reading N. K. Jemisin’s The Shadowed Sun, and just finished Stephen King’s The Shining.
So yeah, off the streets and out of the pool halls. And I learned how to take ebooks out of my local library, so currently I have four tabs open in the browser reading four different books, plus another on my phone.
June 22, 2014 — 11:02 PM
Eliza Tiernan says:
I continue to shill for my much-beloved, now years-old favourite non-fiction book – Ruth Reichl’s third memoir (yes, third) “Garlic and Sapphires”. In a sentence: New York Times food critic disguises herself in order to obtain genuinely anonymous reviews. The language is gorgeous, it’s funny, it’s sad, it’s delicious. I recommend it to everybody, especially as a fun summer read.
June 22, 2014 — 11:12 PM
Jessie H. says:
There are so many great books coming out this year! I’m definitely looking forward to Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews, Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien de Castell, Clariel by Garth Nix, Broken Souls by Stephen Blackmoore, and Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan!
I just finished Child of a Hidden Sea by A.M. Dellamonica! It was so good! I just got my hands on copies of Shattered by Kevin Hearne and Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo and I can’t wait to read them both!
As for older books, I love A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede, The Darwin Elevator by Jason Hough, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper, and Coronets and Steel by Sherwood Smith.
June 22, 2014 — 11:14 PM
Heather says:
My favorite summer read is The Hobbit, I try to read it every July, right as we enter the monsoon season here in the desert.
June 22, 2014 — 11:29 PM
Andreah Grove says:
Excited for: Rogues edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, Four by Veronica Roth, The Map Thief by Michael Blanding, The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon, Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater, and The Prince Lestat by Anne Rice
Maybe not the perfect beach read, but thoroughly enjoyed: Cut Me Loose by Leah Vincent. Also enjoyed Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison, The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater, Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor, and The Diviners by Libba Bray.
June 23, 2014 — 12:07 AM
njmagas says:
I don’t know about divinely-crafted for a certain time of year, but I always seem to reread Poppy Z. Brite’s ‘Lost Souls’ in the summer. Don’t know why. I just get have a feeling come over me, I take a deep breath and think, ‘It’s time.’
June 23, 2014 — 12:15 AM
Laura Roberts says:
I’m looking forward to reading the recently-released “Your Perfect Life,” co-written by two real-life BFFs, about two fictional BFFs. And then passing my signed copy along to my own real-life BFF!
June 23, 2014 — 12:31 AM
Dan Dan The Art Man says:
Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan was a fantastic read. An instant Sci-Fi classic. A fun read that also made me think. Favorite summer read would have to be Stephen King’s novella The Body. Kids walking down the railroad tracks to find a dead body, but man the way he captures that place and time and childhood in general. Those characters really come to life every time you read it. Such a great story.
June 23, 2014 — 12:44 AM
Alison says:
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I recommend this book for everything because it is fantastic. Bring it to the beach or on the train or in the bathroom or even in the shower (I’m sure they’ve found a way to make that work by now). And because I am a teen aged girl I am obligated by stereotypical norms to say this: Levi is adorable.
June 23, 2014 — 2:00 AM
boydstun215 says:
Defenders by Will McIntosh. A really great sci fi adventure. McIntosh just seems to get better with each new book.
And just for the record, McIntosh has also written one of the best zombie short stories of all time: “Followed”, which is available in the Living Dead (volume one) anthology.
June 23, 2014 — 2:22 AM
Cole says:
I just downloaded THE AMISH SPACEMAN by Steve Colegrove and about to jump into that (except it’s the middle of winter where I am, so the good laughs should get me going). Just discovered him this weekend and everywhere he writes sounds awesome – from his blog to his Amazon bio and book descriptions. Hoping it doesn’t disappoint… let’s test drive this baby, shall we?
June 23, 2014 — 2:23 AM
babybarracudess says:
I recently scored a fine copy of Travis Louie’s ‘Curiosities’, which I will devour along with Carl Hiaasen’s ‘Bad Monkey’, and Koontz’s ‘Deeply Odd’…My fave summer read of all time is Dan Simmons ‘Carrion Comfort’ …Psychic Vampires….Wooooooot
June 23, 2014 — 3:31 AM
Katherine Hetzel says:
Have just discovered Mark Lawrence and his Broken Empire Trilogy. Guaranteed to give you sunburn, ‘cos you won’t want to stop reading…and a new book, Prince of Fools, has just been released. If you love epic fantasy, try them out.
June 23, 2014 — 3:56 AM
Silent_Dan says:
My own is in need of rewriting.
I’m looking forward to The High Druid’s Blade, Tower Lord, and Skin Game when I get around to it. And I have accumulated enough for a $25 voucher at my favourite book store.
June 23, 2014 — 4:23 AM
davidjmobrien says:
Hemingway’s The Garden of Eden is summer between two covers and makes me wish I could have seen the French Riviera before it became so busy – and I say that as a resident of Pamplona.
June 23, 2014 — 6:42 AM
Laramie Bahr says:
World War Z is still one of those books you can sit down with, open to any page and begin reading. I love Jonathan Mayberry’s Joe Ledger novels and am positively giddy about D.J. Molles’ new The Remaining book coming out.
June 23, 2014 — 7:19 AM
KVeldman says:
The 9th book in the “Destroyermen” series by Taylor Anderson was just released. Can’t wait to get it. If you like Military Science Fiction, there’s nothing better than this series. The first one is “Into The Storm”
June 23, 2014 — 7:40 AM
Laramie Bahr says:
That is a good series. I imagine if you’ve read those then you’ve also tried Stirling’s Change series.
June 23, 2014 — 8:13 AM
KVeldman says:
I have not, actually but I’ll be checking it out now.
June 23, 2014 — 10:44 AM
Perrin says:
Joe Abercrombie’s new book “Half a King” comes out in July, my most anticipated book of the summer!
June 23, 2014 — 8:17 AM
inkoherent says:
I take my beach read choices *very* seriously because I hate the sun but I love a sun tan and I can’t use sun beds, so I need a book that will take me by the throat and grip me, so that I can shake a melting – but defiant – fist at the golden orb of suffering.
So, it has to be post-apocalyptic fiction, because I can always tell myself that the characters are suffering more than I am. The Death of Grass by John Christopher is a classic – and it’s pretty short, perfect for a basting session. I’m really enjoying D.J. Molles’ The Remaining series. You can’t beat some zombie fiction on the beach, when you’re surrounded by squalling kids (not B-Dub, obvs, because he’s impeccably behaved) and noisy boom-boxes and men in white socks and sandals – a reason why the world needs a Zombocalypse if ever there was one.
June 23, 2014 — 8:31 AM
rhyfry says:
Book of life!! The third book in the all sould trilogy by deborah harkness. Comes out july 15. Everybody go get the first two books
June 23, 2014 — 9:01 AM
conniecockrell says:
Right now I’m reading Quantum Zoo, an anthology just released. Great stories by several authors and at the end of each story, links to the author’s other works just in case you want to read more of the author’s work. Nicely edited by J.M. Ney-Grimm and D.J. Gelner.
June 23, 2014 — 9:21 AM
rhyfry says:
All souls*
June 23, 2014 — 9:35 AM
mikes75 says:
I’ve been reading the newest Meg Gardiner, Shadow Instinct. It comes out officially later this week (I got an advance copy), and seriously, she’s one of the most reliable thriller writers working today. Her books fly along, and never fail to entertain.
June 23, 2014 — 9:48 AM
gjoelfranco says:
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King…terrific thriller so far (not finished yet)
June 23, 2014 — 9:55 AM
Juanita Blau says:
Not new book but so enjoyable I recommend Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo. Insightful look at American life as Otto goes on a memorable road trip with a crimson robed monk.
June 23, 2014 — 10:17 AM
Heather Kamins says:
Upcoming: totally looking forward to reading Lydia Netzer’s How To Tell Toledo from the Night Sky. Her first book, Shine Shine Shine, was excellent.
Currently reading Ben Loory’s Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day — a fun, weird, spooky collection of short short stories that would be excellent for the beach, I think (though they might make you a little paranoid that a sea monster or talking octopus might be nearby).
June 23, 2014 — 10:23 AM
kristoffrable says:
‘Last Days’ by Brian Evenson is what I’m starting today. I want to put down the first two books of Ben H. Winters’ Last Policeman series before the third comes out. Then I’m leaning towards Victor LaValle and Shirley Jackson’s work.
June 23, 2014 — 10:36 AM
Voodoo Darling (@VoodooDarling) says:
I read both Treasure Island and The Old Man and The Sea on the beach one summer and it was absolutely perfect. My beach read this is Cargill’s Queen of The Dark Things, which is also somewhat sea/pirate-flavored.
June 23, 2014 — 10:38 AM
Olivia Kelly says:
I just bought a nonfic biography, The Sisters Who Would Be Queen. “A Tudor Tragedy”. Definitely beach reading material. 😉 Also, The Deaths of Tao, Stephan Blackmore’s upcoming Broken Souls, and book 4 of The Iron Druid series. Plus, “Me: Stories of My Life” by Katherine Hepburn. And I’m sure, countless others….
June 23, 2014 — 10:46 AM
Luke Matthews (@GeekElite) says:
I’ve never had specific books or types of books that I relate to a specific time of year. For me, reading is reading is reading. This summer, I’m going to keep chugging along on my goal of reading 50 books in 2014. I’ve started several series, but I plan to continue with Chronicles of the Black Company, The Gentlemen Bastards, and The Dresden Files. I would’ve loved to have read the third Kingkiller Chronicle book this summer, but who knows when that’ll come out now… 🙂
June 23, 2014 — 10:50 AM
Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes) says:
Loved Skin Game; the Dresden Files books are such delicious brain candy, like those ones that were just a bag of powder you ate with a chalky candy stick and eventually you’d get impatient and dump the bag’s contents into your mouth and then everything was wheeeee for about an hour. I’m also looking forward to grabbing Women Destroy Science Fiction and Long Hidden.
June 23, 2014 — 10:52 AM