Good fiction for summer?

[Dragonfly]

Starting tomorrow, I have two luxurious weeks in which I have no work and no school! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee................... .......

Besides reveling in being able to spend outside-stressor-free time with ds, I'd really like to read some great books. I have a mile-high stack of non-fiction, but I'm at a loss when it comes to fiction. I do have a few classics I'd like to read, but I'd also like to check out some newer authors.

Much obliged for suggestions!

[Tracy]

loved This book! Think it is perfect summer/presummer reading....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

her other books are great too.

[SpiralChrissy]

I really like Phillipa Greggory's work. The Little House is all about a woman with post-partum and a difficult MIL. It's good reading. She also wrote The Queen's Fool. It's about England in the 1500s (I think). The main character is a very strong woman who has a gift for seeing the future. And when in doubt, there's always Harry Potter! Have fun reading!!
Chrissy

[heytootsy]

The best one's I have read this recently are Memoirs of a Geisha, The Red Tent, and Middlesex. These are all excellent books!

[bloobug]

Just finished The Secret Life of Bee's. Was a great little book.

Megan

[napless]

If you haven't read Barbara Kingsolver yet, you must! My favourite is _Prodigal Summer_, but anything she writes is wonderful. (Her nonfiction is awesome too.)

[loftmama]

Originally Posted by bloobug

Just finished The Secret Life of Bee's. Was a great little book.

Megan

great book. great lightweight summer read, fast. easy to get in to the story.

also loved The Red Tent and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Don't care for Barbara Kingsolver, though I try. Well, I thought Poisonwood Bible was interesting.

[pixiexto]

I love "Crow Lake" by new Canadian author Mary Lawson

I'll second the recommendation for "Secret Life of Bees"

I also like Maeve Binchy's books for light, enjoyable reads. I recently read & enjoyed "Evening Class", and "Quentins" was great.

[napless]

Oh yes, _Crow Lake_ was great! I also like Maeve Binchy when I'm in the right mood. Sounds like we like the same things slygrrl - I'll have to try _Secret Life of Bees_.

_Gap Creek_ was an awesome read. I can't remember who wrote it.

[loftmama]

ohohohohoh (nak)

i just remembered a really great book, no two:

bel canto, ny ann patchett
diving from clausen's pier, by anne packard (i think)

[abbylotus]

I just read 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides and 'The Kite Runner' (I can't remember the author's name).....both were fANSTASTIC!!

[Dragonfly]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I'm just finishing up "Wicked" and just starting "The Secret Life of Bees." I also picked up two of Bohumil Hrabal's books - "Too Loud a Solitude" (I read it before a looooooong time ago, so it's about time to read it again) and "Dancing Lessons for the Advanced in Age."

I also got a copy of "Mists of Avalon" for 25 cents, so am going to try that one out later!

I wish Nick Hornby would come out with a new book.... that would help to make my summer complete.

Keep 'em coming if you will... I love to hear what other people have enjoyed!

[Dragonfly]

abbylotus - What sort of book is "Middlesex?" I think I've heard of it and vaguely remember wanting to read it...

[Elowyn]

My absolute recent (later than 1985) fiction fave series is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - there are currently 5 books in the series, each in the 800+ page range, but they're fantastic! It's time-travel-based historical fiction (English woman from the 40's goes back to 1700's Scotland) with some nice romance bits, but assuredly not a romance novel (not my cup o' tea). She's a nurse, so lots of healing going on, mostly with herbs & basic attempts at sanitation (that wacky germ theory & all that ).

Really fun books, anyway. Read them in order. (Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross).

Enjoy your time off! I'm green with envy!

[IamCoupongirl]

Good Grief by Lolly Winston...a reviewer on Amazon called it "smart women's fiction." Hope you like it!

[napless]

I read Outlander and really enjoyed it - except for the very graphic violence. She's an excellent writer and creates images that really stayed with me. But - I don't want those images in my head - so I didn't read the rest of the series.

[LdyBluNH@aol]

i enjoyed "my sisters keeper" by jodi picoult ?

[Fisherb]

I'm currently reading Anil's Ghost by Michael Odijaane (Ok, I'll go grab the book to edit that in the morning)... It's the guy that wrote English Patient.

I didn't expect to like it, because I hated EP (adultrous love is the best love is what I got from the movie). BUT, this book is FANTASTIC! The lead character (Anil) is a strong, smart Sri Lankan woman that is a forensic scientist (let's just say I'm NOT a sciency reader!) -- so the story of discovery is pulling me through FAST! The characters are interesting and well developed, and I have NO IDEA how it's going to end! (I probably will by tomorrow or Wednesday, though! ).

[Emmama]

My fave's are Mists of Avalon--a *must read* for anyone that likes the Arthurian Legends, and The Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Roberson--the tale of Robin Hood through Marion's perspective.

I am reading The Nanny Diaries right now and can't believe it is based on the author's experience

I The Red Tent!!!!!!!! Excellent read, was sad when it ended.

[Plady]

I just finished The Kite Runner in about a day and a half (a MAJOR accomplishment considering dd's dedication to my undivided attention).

I also managed to make it through Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson in less than a week (again, a credit to Mr. Stephenson).

I recommend them both highly!