So who else out there in cyberland is ready for summer? Summer means vacations, hotdog barbecues, beaches and pools and, best of all, summer reading! Last week I polled my fellow RH Library team members to find out what they recommend you bring with you on vacation this year…

Marcia:

Narrow Dog to Indian River by Terry Darlington
The sequel to Narrow Dog to Carcassonne in which a delightful English couple (Terry and Monica) decide to take their English narrow (canal) boat, the Phyllis May, across the English Channel and through the waters of France. The narrow dog is their Whippet, Jim, described as “cowardly, thieving, and disrespectful, and he hates boating.” The adventures continue down the east coast of the U.S. from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida and are utterly engaging, and absolutely hilarious. Once found, friends forever. After reading (NOT on public transportation, much more suitable on a beach or in a porch swing!) view photos on their website.

Jen:

Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michele Moran
For fans of the HBO series ROME, this book begins right where the show left off. Exotic, suspenseful, with a hint of romance. Perfect reading for the beach, but you’ll have to wait for September, when it is published. In the meantime, toss one of Moran’s previous titles into your beach bag—Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen!

Erica:

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
An enchanting ugly duckling tale, I was constantly delighted by this second novel from Sarah Addison Allen. I had to force myself to slow down near the end, to better savor how engagingly charming each of her characters was and the story she wove for them.

Dave:

The Last Days of the Lacuna Cabal by Sean Dixon
I think this pretty much says it all about this offbeat novel about a ladies’ book group at an epic crossroads: “”An intellectual, sexual, logorrheic, bibliophilic, cryptological, political, and archaeological rant of the first order. It’ll change your idea of what ‘written in stone’ means, and it’ll blow your mind too.”–Michael Redhill, author of Consolation

Marie:

Swimming by Nicola Keegan
Just the cover itself  makes me want to jump into the closest body of water on a hot summer day. Philomena (or Pip as she is often called, though she hates it) is an Olympic champion swimmer who gets through all the perils and heartaches of her upside down life one stroke at a time. This wonderfully character-driven novel follows her throughout her adolescence in Glenwood, Kansas into her early adulthood as she goes for gold. Nicola Keegan’s clear voice, fluid style and incredibly quotable narrative make this debut novel impossible to put down. Pip is a star. I loved it.

Also, find last year’s beach picks here.

-Marie

Ah August!  Sun, surf and extra time for reading.  Here’s what the Random House, Inc. Library Marketing Staff is bringing on vacation.

Jen:

Sherry Thomas DELICIOUS: This top-notch (though not cookie-cutter) historical romance will surely heat up your beach blanket, even on a cloudy day.  Library Journal just gave it a starred review.

Erica:

Catherine Sanderson PETITE ANGLAISE: If Bridget Jones had been a real woman living in Paris, juggling a dying romance with the demands of motherhood, she too might have discovered escape, excitement, and–possibly–true love, though not in a diary, but through the click of a mouse as…Petite Anglaise.

Marci:

Rita Rudner I STILL HAVE IT…I JUST CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE I PUT IT: If you’ve ever seen Rita live in Las Vegas, or on one of her PBS fund-raisers you’ll know why this will have people nearby in their beach chairs looking at you laughing away as you read this.  Seriously hilarious.

Marie:

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY: Written in letter form and set against the back drop of post-WWII Britain, this is a light and endearing story of friendship met with humor and warmth.  A quick, fun read.  check out the official Guernsey site.

Dave:

Haruki Murakami WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING: If you find it strange that I chose a book about running for best beach reads, you’re probably not alone, but Murakami’s dream-like prose is perfect for slipping in and out of consciousness–and besides, reading about someone else running while you’re sipping lime-aid is just unbeatable.