I tend to devour mysteries and thrillers in the summer months. Give me suspense while the sun shines bright. I want a book to give me the chills while I'm sweating in the Florida heat. Throw in some horror, which is much easier to read since it stays lighter outside longer.
And while all the Standouts below contain a mystery of sorts - a disappearance, murder, an unsolved crime - they're also complex stories of lost love and family dynamics and growing up.
*****
And while all the Standouts below contain a mystery of sorts - a disappearance, murder, an unsolved crime - they're also complex stories of lost love and family dynamics and growing up.
*****
Books Read in June: 8
Total Books Read in 2013: 43
Standouts:
Joyland by Stephen King - It's no secret I'm a big fan of King. It's also not a secret that I like the dark and creepy tales he tells. But what keeps me coming back to his work is his characters. And this novel is no exception. More mystery and ghost story than horror, it falls along the lines of King's The Body (the movie, Stand By Me) and Rita Hayworth and the The Shawshank Redemption. It's the perfect summer read.
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole - By the time I finished reading David's first letter to Elspeth and her reply, I was ready to be swept away by their story. This novel has it all - great characters, friendship, love, foreign countries, war, poetry, mystery. Oh, and the ending! A great read all around.
I received an ARC through BookBrowse's First Impressions program.
Novel is available July 9th.
The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard - This novel has a well drawn out element of suspense, and I was left guessing right up until the end. One thing I particularly enjoyed was seeing what happened to Stacy Lemke through the eyes of Kirsten as child, and then later seeing the aftermath through her adult perspective. It's definitely a gripping, emotional mystery.
I received an ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.
Novel is available now.
*****
Do you plan on reading any of the Standouts? If you already did, what did you think? Do you enjoy a good mystery in the summer months? What's the best book you've read so far this summer?
Joyland by Stephen King - It's no secret I'm a big fan of King. It's also not a secret that I like the dark and creepy tales he tells. But what keeps me coming back to his work is his characters. And this novel is no exception. More mystery and ghost story than horror, it falls along the lines of King's The Body (the movie, Stand By Me) and Rita Hayworth and the The Shawshank Redemption. It's the perfect summer read.
*****
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole - By the time I finished reading David's first letter to Elspeth and her reply, I was ready to be swept away by their story. This novel has it all - great characters, friendship, love, foreign countries, war, poetry, mystery. Oh, and the ending! A great read all around.
I received an ARC through BookBrowse's First Impressions program.
Novel is available July 9th.
*****
The Mourning Hours by Paula Treick DeBoard - This novel has a well drawn out element of suspense, and I was left guessing right up until the end. One thing I particularly enjoyed was seeing what happened to Stacy Lemke through the eyes of Kirsten as child, and then later seeing the aftermath through her adult perspective. It's definitely a gripping, emotional mystery.
I received an ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.
Novel is available now.
*****
Do you plan on reading any of the Standouts? If you already did, what did you think? Do you enjoy a good mystery in the summer months? What's the best book you've read so far this summer?
Letters from Skye sounds like something I'd really like. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book so far this summer is Call Me Zelda. It's wonderful!
LETTERS FROM SKYE is just one of those books that's going to take hold of you and won't let go. It's also a great read for summer. (I don't know why, just feels like a summer book to me.) :)
DeleteThe Mourning Hours sounds like something I'd enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting on The Last Word by Lisa Lutz. It's coming out next week.
Definitely, MJ! The combination of suspense and family drama is a double whammy.
DeleteMadeline -- first, I love your "Shawshank Redemption" allusion. One of my all-time favorite films.
ReplyDeleteSecond -- I just finished The Writing Class by Jincy Willett. Very light reading -- but a mystery, who-dunnit kind of book set in the context of a writing class. So, it was unusual and just fun. Good for summer. Though several of my friends "hated" it, I thought it was a good read; though the ending was disappointing. Keep reading! and writing! MC Coolidge (http://www.mccoolidge.com)
Thanks, MC! I think I've heard of Willet's book before. Isn't it funny how we tend to read certain books more during certain times? Although, I read lots of things all year round. :)
DeleteGreat to hear you loved Joyland. I've been looking forward to reading it (eventually...you know how my to-read list gets out of hand :-P). My favorite summer reads so far have been Doll Bones and Graceling.
ReplyDeleteI really did enjoy it, and I think you will, too. And DOLL BONES was wonderful. I'm really looking forward to Black's new one.
DeleteI'm going to read the King novel, though I'm back and forth about his work. I loved his early stuff but not so much the later stuff. Do love the Shawshank
ReplyDeleteThis one reminds me of his earlier novels and the characters in it are great. :)
DeleteJoyland is in my queue, right after I finish Redshirts. Glad it gets the thumbs up from you.
ReplyDeleteA definite thumbs up! And I can't wait for DR SLEEP.
Delete