Looking for a few good books to read this summer? The NPR list of summer books for 2009 has just been released and there are some enjoyable and entertaining picks on this year's list. The list is divided into sections and genres and the best titles have been chosen by various literary experts, such as book critics and librarians. Here is a small overview of the titles appearing on the list this year:
Nonfiction Summer Reading Choices
Magazine editor John Freeman chooses his list of books that will "shock, appall and delight" readers this summer, with such varying topics as late author Hunter S. Thompson, the intriguing life of chefs and tales behind some lesser known figures in the scientific community. His five favorite summer titles include:
- Cooking Dirty: A Story of Life, Sex, Love and Death in the Kitchen by Jason Sheehan.
- A Bright and Guilty Place: Murder, Corruption and L.A.'s Scandalous Coming of Age by Richard Rayner.
- The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard Holmes.
- Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson edited by Anita Thompson.
- Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History by Margaret MacMillan.
The Best Mystery Novels for Summer Reading
Readers who enjoy crime and mystery novels can find some great choices on book critic and self-proclaimed Nancy Drew enthusiast Maureen Corrigan's list, including novels about a town full of snakes, a found gym bag full of money and a jewel thief. Here are her top five picks for mystery lovers:
- The Shanghai Moon by S.J. Rozan.
- The Way Home by George Pelecanos.
- The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly.
- Awakening by S.J. Bolton.
- Black Noir: Mystery, Crime and Suspense Fiction by African American Writers edited by Otto Penzler.
Librarian's Picks for Summer Reading
Librarian and frequent NPR commentator Nancy Pearl chooses her list of summer reads based on their memorable and compelling "voice of the narrator". Her picks range from a modern day retelling of Anna Karenina, an entertaining read for teenage girls that are done with the Twilight phenomenon, and a powerful graphic novel set in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Her eight summer favorites include:
- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.
- The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert and Didier Lefevre.
- The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles.
- The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway.
- Narrow Dog to Indian River by Terry Darlington.
- What Happened to Anna K. by Irina Reyn.
- A Far Cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark.
- The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.
Whether readers indulge in these books for pleasure pool side and beach side, or as accompaniments to their book clubs, there is something of interest for every reader. The complete printable list and synopses for each selection can be found on NPR's Summer Books 2009 website. The list will be updated throughout the summer.
Lisa Rufle - If I had to describe myself in one word, it would easily be: curious. So as a natural extension of my curiosity, reading is my life's ...
