Summer Reading List... Number #1: How to Turn Off Your Mind

I, unfortuantely, have one of those jobs where a summer vacation is nearly impossible-- I am a spring/fall vacationer. Nonetheless, I always try and find myself on a beach here and there, book in hand. There is nothing more relaxing than summer reading. And so, I thought I would share a handful of book recommnedations for anyone who has time to focus on their summer reading.

So Book #1-- The fun, engaging read that will let you shut your mind down and focus on the surf

Dead to the World, by Charlainne Harris

I've read nearly every Sookie Stackhouse novel (for some reason I skipped the first). As someone who worships the literary greats like Margaret Atwood, John Irving, and Madison Smartt Bell, this feels like an odd choice, but these books are amazing for what they are-- pure, unpretensious entertainment.

The Sookie Stackhouse novels will surprise you, make you laugh, and (yes) at times make you groan and roll your eyes. But they will also pull you in and hold you in delightful anticipation.

This, the fourth novel, was by far my favorite and happens to coincide with this season of True Blood. Trubie or no, this is the ultimate beach read. And, you don't have to have read the first three books to jump in on number 4... BUT, I consumer each one of these books in about a day, so if you have the luxury of ten days at the beach, you may be able to get through the whole series and still have time for a BBQ and amusement park :)

My favorite book... part 3, or why I LOVED Paranormalcy

I LOVE getting lost in a book. Seriously. These are the moments I live for, and those that I wish and hope and strive to create as an author. And this is exactly why I am gushing about Paranormalcy, the first novel by Kiersten White. As a first novel, it is wonderfully impressive, well sculpted, and highly enjoyable. In the genre of teen paranormal fiction (which is, apparently, a HUGE genre), this is a book to set the bar much higher than it has been. Seriously, Bella Swan, you best watch your back.

I read about this book on a blog and ordered it our of curiousity. I took it on an airplane with me last Thursday, thinking it was something to read during those pesky take-off/landing periods where I couldn't have my computer open. In actuality,

I never opened my laptop.

Instead, I got pulled into the world of Evelyn (no last name), a member of an international organization charged with documenting, tagging, and nuetralizing all manners of paranormal fiends. And just like Bella Swan's ability to block Edward's telepathy and Sookie Stackhouse's ability to read the minds of the living, Evelyn has a gift. She sees through the glamours of the paranormal, which makes her one kick butt investigaotor.

I was instantly so impressed by White's writing, and so enamored of Evie's voice, that I found myself confused when the pilot came on the intercom to say we were landing. This was then followed by four hours of sheer aggravation that I had to work before I could finish.

Evie is what a heroine shoulsd be. Strong, empathetic, intelligent, sassy, and inquisitive-- this is a role model for girls, who is as admirable as she is real. White tells of first kisses, and the heart break of discovering her past all with the same gentle, believable touch.

All in all, very impressive, and highlyl recommended. Getting lost in the book-- my favorite book activity :) And with that stretch, I think we shall call this series closed!

My favorite book... Part 2

Most of us bibliophiles have had this moment... we know MONTHS in advance when an author's next title will appear on shelves/Amazon, and we are waiting anxiously to devour it. It is, in fact, one of my favorite book moments... the arrival moment, when you are so excited and full of antcipation. I've had a few great ones in my life-- the seventh Harry Potter novel, Flight by Sherman Alexie, etc. But, one author gives me this chance about once a year, bringing me novels I devour in a day and find delightful, empty bliss within, and that novel is Charlaine Harris, who once a year publishes a new Sookie Stackhouse novel.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, these are the novels on which True Blood (the best show ever) is based. On book #7, I was mystified that I was still reading-- I typically loose interest in a series after 3 or 4 books, but for these delightful, easy reads, I was still hooked on 7 or 8.

Last week, book 11 came in the mail, and I read it in a day. While I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Harris' vampire world (think Twilight with an NC-17 rating), I am saddened to see my interest waning. Much of the dramatic tension that so pulled me in during the first 8-9 books just feels lacking in this last book (as it was somewhat in book 10). Sookie, or perhaps Harris, just seems to be going through the motions in this last installation, and I am very hopeful that next May a new, exciting book will bring the series back to its initial glory.

Or, eventually, Harris will run out of creative ways to work "Dead" into the title of a book :)

Regardless, the anticipation is still one of my favorite book moments.

Comfort Fiction-- Part 3

In my series on comfort fiction, I have now covered movies, and television. The next logical place is books, right?

But how on Earth do I choose ONE book that comforts me to write about? I love to curl up in books, it is the best way for me to turn my brain off after a tough day? Reading is also a way to challenge myself, stimulate my brain, get my mind going.

There are just too many that I love too much to pick just one comfort book...

• I read Ender's Game once a year. It reminds me of my adolesence (in a good way) and always inspires me
• During tough times, the Sookie Stackhouse novels are incredible ways to turn off the world and escape into some juicy, fanciful, vampire stories
• When I need reminded of how much power there is in simply being a woman, Margaret Atwood is always there for me
• When I needed reminding that the the human spirit can prosper and overcome a lot more than one might think, my beloved Sherman Alexie is there for me
• When I am craving the beautifully weird, hello John Irving

I just can't pick.

So here is what we're going to do-- tell me YOUR comfort fiction. What do you read when life gets rough? Or what book can you read over and over and over again? What book always fills you with some kind of something, or makes you feel infinite?

Post your answers (and the why) below. One lucky commenter is going to win a book... for once, I am not giving away Max and Menna! I am giving away one of my favorite works of comfort fiction, to be chosen based on the particular style of the winning commenter.