Summer Reading

[Homekeepn]

I need a new book, or book series to read for the summer while I am waiting for the next Outlander book to come out. Any suggestions?
I like historical fiction the most.

I also have read a lot of Nora Roberts works as well.

[pat in east texas]

The Brother Cadfael mysteries written by Ellis Peters are setin the 12th century (I think) and Ellis Peters was a historian. The stories are wonderful!

[FrabjousDay]

Have you done any of the Philippa Gregory books?

[dinah]

i'm reading the hunger games trilogy right now. i'm on book two and i am loving the books.

the first book is called the hunger games. they are young adult books, but good for grown ups too. the author is suzanne collins.

[dinah]

i have also started to read the stephanie plum series. they are total total total fluff reading, but sometimes fluff is a-ok. i would definitely classify these as summer reading.

the books are by janet evanovich and are about a bounty hunter named stephanie plum. they're set in new jersey and are kinda a mix of comedy and mystery. there's like 17 or more of these books out there so it would take you a while to get through them.

edited to add: but i just realize you asked for historical fiction...oops. sorry. i second the brother cadfael books then. my mom likes them a lot.

[FrabjousDay]

The Plum books are definitely fun and fluffy summer reading, perfect poolside material. I've read the series, but don't plan on reading the next one. They go from laugh out loud while you're reading fun to silly/ridiculous/stupid once you pass books nine or ten.

[mauimagic]

...and even more important (to me) when is the next Outlander book coming out? I am rereading the series right night - feels like visiting old friends and family!!

[dcompton]

I love two books by Connie Willis.

Doomsday Book. I have a hard time restraining myself from stopping strangers on the street and telling them to read it. An Oxford historian in the not too far future is sent back to the Middle Ages. She is sent to the wrong target and ends up in the middle of the black plague. It's a mix of the grim and sad in the Middle Ages, and comedy back in Oxford. Suspend disbelief on some of the scientific principles - they don't matter. It's the characters who do, and they will live with you for a long, ling time. It well deserves the many awards it won. If you can get hold of it, I recommend even more highly the audio. The reading by Jenny Sterlin is wonderful and truly makes the characters come alive, especially the little girl.

The sort of sequel (you don't have to have read Doomsday Book first) is comedy all through:To Say Nothing of the DOg, or, How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last. Two historians are sent to Victorian England, one for research, one to hide (never mind, you'll find out why) and recuperate. It's full of plot twists and funny situations.

A third is another favorite book, and very high on my list of humorous books. D. E. Stevenson's Miss Buncle's Book. The plot sounds like a real nothing read - a spinster is short on cash and all she can think of to do is write a book. She describes her neighbors faithfully. The publisher thinks it's satire. The village when it comes out ... I guarantee hilarity. A perfect light read.

Edited to add - if you might like to branch out a bit, try Terry Pratchett. He's not for everyone (I sigh to admit) but definitely worth sampling. I often recommend Reaper Man as a good place to start, though it's not the beginning of the series - the later books are better, after he hits his stride. It starts with some choppy scenes, but carry on - it all quickly comes together. Something for everyone - Death (the guy with the scythe), zombies, vampires, magicians, a tragic lost love, and a predatory shopping mall, packed with laugh out loud lines.

[bonnotsm9]

I like the William Monk series of mysteries by Anne Perry. They are set in pre-Victorian England. The first of the series is The Face of a Stranger.

[pollypurebred39]

Just read this book and LOVED IT!!!! Not a single cuss word or any sexual explicit content, in today's reads that true find.

So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

[MissSeetonFan]

I love two books by Connie Willis.

Doomsday Book.

The sort of sequel (you don't have to have read Doomsday Book first) is comedy all through:To Say Nothing of the DOg, or, How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last.

Edited to add - if you might like to branch out a bit, try Terry Pratchett. He's not for everyone (I sigh to admit) but definitely worth sampling.

May I just say Amen! to these recommedations! I love all of them and want to say that Connie Willis has published a third book in the same world as the Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog. It is the first half of a duology where the historians are getting trapped in the past for some unknown reason. Set in WWII times and very facinating.

[Maine Girl]

I love the Stephanie Plum series...there is always a good giggle in her series!

if you like murder mystery there is always James Patterson's Alex Cross, Women's Murder club or Michael Bennet

More easy going series is by Curtiss Ann Matlock her Valetine Oklahoma series...Or the elm creek quilt series by Jennifer (hard to spell last name) Just look up Elm Creek Quilt on google

[mauimagic]

So Happy that this thread is here - got some great ideas for summer reads!! Mahalo plenty!!

[lovestoread]

LOVE the Outlander series....I can't wait for it either, but I haven't found a release date on the next one yet...she takes SO LONG in between books, but I understand why when almost every book is a thousand pager........ love me some Jamie.....thank you for the other recommendations....

[ladykemma2]

jean plaidy -- who also writes under the name of victoria holt
philippa gregory
ellis peters
sharon kay penman