Meg's Picks: August 2014, part 1

They say summer reading is for kids, but I don't believe that for a second.  Reading in the summer should be for everyone, and it shouldn't be a chore.  Here are some of my picks for August that will make bearing the dog days of summer a breeze.  (Bonus?  Summer reading rewards aren't just for kids either--adults should stop by our circulation desk for a ballot--every book you read entitles you to one entry for some great prizes!)

The Magician’s Land, by Lev Grossman.  You know when I like to pick up a series?  When the final book has been published!  Then there's no more waiting around for a year or more (George R.R. Martin, I am totally looking at you) for the next installment and you can enjoy them as quickly or slowly as you'd like.  Which mean's that the publication of The Magician's Land,the final installment of Grossman's epic Magician's trilogy (the first two being The Magicians and The Magician King), is my cue to get started at the beginning.  Here, former High King Quentin has not only been ejected from the magical kingdom of Fillory, but he's also been given the boot from his teaching job.  At loose ends, he joins a ragtag group of magicians on the hunt for a mysterious, invaluable case.  I'd recommend this to fans of Terry Goodkind and Deborah Harkness, as well as fantasy fans of all stripes.

Season of the Dragonflies, by Sarah Creech.  For generations, the Lenore women have manufactured a perfume unlike any other, and guarded the unique and mysterious ingredients. Their perfumery, hidden in the quiet rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, creates one special elixir that secretly sells for millions of dollars to the world’s most powerful—movie stars, politicians, artists, and CEOs. The Lenore’s signature perfume is actually the key to their success.  Now blackmail and shifting family alliances are threatening the family's livelihood, as well as the family itself.  As beguiling as the novels of Alice Hoffman and Adriana Trigiani, Season of the Dragonflies is a story of flowers, sisters, practical magic, old secrets, and new love, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I am more than a little intrigued.

One Kick, by Chelsea Cain.  Cain has been developing quite a following with her New York Times bestselling Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell thrillers.  Now, she's launching a new series featuring Kick Lannigan, a young woman whose complicated past has given her a rather unique skillset.  At age six, Kick was kidnapped and her case was headline news.  Five years later, she was rescued and captured America's heart.  Kick's abductor trained her in making bombs, picking locks, and target shooting, rendering her unable to adapt to a normal teenage lifestyle after her rescue.  Instead, she continued her training.  Now, at twenty-one, Kick finds herself entangled with a missing child case that will put her to the test.  This is being touted as an absolute nail-biter, and thriller readers will want to add this to their lists!

I'm back with the rest of my picks on Thursday.  In the meantime, stay cool and happy reading!

Reading Ahead: August 2014, part 3

Here we are with the wrap-up of suspense, thrillers and mysteries slated for August release.  I would like to say that publishers often will change release dates, and in double-checking, I found several of the novels I was hoping to share with you for next month will have to wait--they've been moved to fall or winter release dates.  All's fair in love and publishing, I guess.  Not to worry--there's still plenty to keep you occupied until then! 

Top Secret, by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV

Close to Home, by Lisa Jackson

Shots Fired, by C.J. Box

Mean Streak, by Sandra Brown

Designated Daughters, by Margaret Maron

Her Last Whisper, by Karen Robards

If you're looking for an easy-reading suspense with a bit of romance in the mix, you can count on Karen Robards for that.  And if you're a mystery reader, Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott series is extremely popular.  Finally, I'd like to point out that if you're a fan of C.J. Box's Joe Pickett novels, please don't be put off by this new title, which is a collection of ten short stories about Joe Pickett and his corner of Wyoming.  Short stories are particularly perfect for summer, as you can read one in a short time, or read several together if you have a lazy afternoon free.  And if you're a fan of the series, these will give you a greater sense of the characters and the spaces that inhabit his novels.  

Wondering what's made my list for August?  I'll be back on Tuesday to share.  In the meantime, happy reading!

 

Reading Ahead: August 2014, part 2

Summer is prime time for thrillers of all kinds--on the big screen, on the small screen, and (my favorite) on the page.  If your idea of a great summer includes giving yourself goosebumps, I've got some ideas for you.

Don’t Look Back, by Gregg Hurwitz

Private Down Under, by James Patterson and Michael White

No Safe House, by Linwood Barclay

The Lost Island, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Now, what's making my to-read list?  Linwood Barclay's new novel, for sure, because he's one of the best suspense writers out there right now, in my humble opinion.   Readers may remember Terry Archer and his family from No Time For Goodbye, as they experienced a horrific ordeal that nearly cost them their lives.  Now, Terry and wife Cynthia still live apart, as Cynthia tries to deal with her demons and they both try and protect daughter Grace, who is now a rebellious teenager.  That rebellious streak, however, may just get them all killed when she follows her delinquent boyfriend into a strange house and the past comes roaring back at the Archers once again.  Barclay is a master of plotting and pacing--this should be a must-reader for suspense and thriller readers this summer.

I'm back on Thursday with more suspense and thrillers.  In the meantime, happy reading!

Reading Ahead: August 2014, part 1

One of the most glorious things about summer, to this librarian, is the sudden influx of books as publishers seek to tempt readers into spending hot, sultry days lounging with a book instead of doing something like yardwork or turning on the stove in 90 degree heat (if you like those things, more power to you!).  And if you're looking for a light, fluffy bit of entertainment to put in your beach bag, look no further!

Driving With the Top Down, by Beth Harbison.  Three women, two weeks, one convertible.  Sometimes, life doesn't take you in the direction you expect.  Harbison can be counted on to give readers a good laugh among some tense situations, and a good look at the true meaning of friendship.  Perfect vacation fair.

Heroes Are My Weakness, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  A hot love story set in Maine's deeply cold winter.  He's a reclusive author.  She's a down-on-her-luck actress resorting to staging kids puppet shows to make ends meet.  When they were young, he broke her heart.  Now that she's returned home, can he convince her that he's changed?  Sounds like a perfectly steamy summer romance .

Love Letters, by Debbie Macomber.  Latest in Macomber's very popular Rose Harbor novel series, Love Letters celebrates the power of love, and how a well-timed bit of hope can mend a broken heart.  A gentle novel of courage and love, in the perfect summer setting.  

If you'd rather spend your hot summer days reading something that sends a shiver down your spine, never fear!  I'll be sharing a bunch of new suspense, thriller and mystery titles in the next few posts.  In the meantime, have a happy and safe Fourth of July, and happy reading.