SURVEY SAYS: What's on Your Summer Reading List?

June 30, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - For several weeks now, readers have been suggesting/asking that we conduct our annual summer reading survey. 

 

So, this week, I asked readers to share what they were reading/looking forward to reading this summer – and hat they would recommend to others.

Before we get into the “reads”, I also asked readers for their thoughts on reading, summer reading, books, or summer in general.  Here’s a sampling:

Heck, summer is half over with Friday being July 1.  We only have six weeks to go until the rush to get the kids back to college and skid into the post-Labor Day work grind.

“I read all the time so summer doesn’t bring any special emphasis on reading for me. 

What is the world is August going to be like in the Southeast when June has been non-stop 97 degrees or above?  Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

I find I’ve been reading a little less, but only because I’m storing up my most anticipated reads for our trips away or to the cottage.

Summer reading should be an escape.  I read enough technical writing for my job.  I want something interesting but not something that requires major brain effort.

Since my job prevents me from doing as much pleasure reading as I’d like to, I’m thinking I need to take the summer off and do nothing but read (but no business, industry, or legal documents!).

Young children + summer reading = anything that isn’t too engaging.

I get more read during the winter as there is too much to do outside while the days are long!

My fav summer recipe – start with sitting poolside in Vegas and add good Cussler adventure.  Drench with a pitcher of margaritas.  Mix in chips and salsa to obtain preferred blend.  Do not disturb.

Reading is great, particularly when holding a “real” book. Don’t eventually replace all “real” books with ebooks. Ebooks are fine for many, but let’s continue to have a choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless you work in some sort of school, summer doesn't really provide more time for reading so I'm not sure why the emphasis on "summer" reading.

I've become a devotee of recorded books and have "found" so many authors I would not otherwise have read -- our public library is a wonderful source for recorded books.  I've been known to get to my destination and sit in the car to find out what happens next!  I also read printed on paper books as well as ebooks -- I've actually tried to physically turn pages a few times!!

There's nothing better than sitting on the beach or in a pool with a good book. It's almost as much of a summer pastime as baseball (almost)!

Garage sales are a great place to find that book you meant to read or heard it was a good book/author.

I love curling up with a good book ( not into a nook yet...I'll probably have to eventually get pulled into it kicking & screaming...)  I love to read, but especially during summer thunderstorms...

I am heading to the beach next week, one of my first thoughts was which books will I bring.  The two go together.

I do love my Kindle.  My MAIN dislike is that I can't check books out from the library on it.  And I don't have an endless supply of cash to keep buying books from Amazon.  There is a healthy list of free books available (like the Austen novels and some classics like Tom Sawyer), but nothing new is available for free on the Kindle.

There is no better place to be in the summer than Chicago.  Summer reading should be light and the books need to be page turners.

"I look to read non-fictional books based upon motivation that leads to hard work which breeds success.

Summer? I live in WI...summer doesn't come until this weekend and then we head back toward winter!

I highly recommend both the nook and iPad for readers. Also summer's too short! 

Not a summer person other than to tend to the garden.

I don't get the opportunity to read a lot, so I do it on vacation where I'm not bothered by work!

Gonna try to enjoy "it", really I am. Made up my mind to make up my mind to pay it some mind. Huh, whatd'ya mean it's the end of June already. Nevermind.

"I like fun reads or mysteries for summer reading.  I just started reading a home improvement

Look on Amazon, there are a couple of humorous ones based on life in The Villages in Florida that you can get cheap second-hand copies of to take wherever you get a change to read.

Planning a personally rewarding retirement - not as in financial planning, but identifying lost interests and postponed experiences and taking the steps to make them happen when I retire in a few years.  There are already enough depressing ones out there about how the financial planning you did won't fully meet the quality of life you planned, go for the ones that get you focused on identifying your "bucket list."

I am looking forward to grabbing an armload of books and taking them to Cape Cod next week. I don't even care what they are. They'll have nothing to do with benefit issues, and they'll probably have good plots. This job sucks out all my desire to read the way I used to.

“Reading is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day at work but unfortunately it ends up unwinding me too much and I am asleep in 20 minutes!”

But this week’s Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said, “I am just looking forward to reading other than emails from crazy people.” 

Reader Reading Rosters

Now, as for the books that readers have on their summer reading list:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series showed up a lot)

"Dances with Dragons by George R R Martin (also showed up a lot)

"Clive Cussler; recently finished ""The Wrecker"" and just started ""The Spy"" (Clive Cussler was, once again, a very popular author)

"Called To Coach" by Bobby Bowden

Field Gray, by Philip Kerr

Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss,

Dead Reckoning by Charlain Harris"

Just found Dean Koontz - so I'm excited about finding a writer I like with a ton of already published books.

James Patterson mysteries.

The Man in the Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal; I downloaded a sample and found it so riveting that it will be my next book.

I'm a sucker for biographies. This summer I plan to tackle George Washington, Marlene Dietrich, John Barrymore and Bill Clinton.

2011-2012 NFL Previews.  (This would mean the CBA was resolved and there is a season). 

Cod: A biography of the Fish that changed the World by Mark Kurlansky

Hope to read ""Fatal Risk"" by Roddy Boyd

"2nd Chance"" by James Patterson"

I'm reading "Play Like You Mean It" by Rex Ryan, coach of the New York Jets

Catching up on Clive Cussler novels I have yet to read.

Saving the Bill of Rights, Frank Miniter

Sixkill

Toxic Talk

Rework, Enchantment, 4-Hour Workweek, and Paul Allen's book.

John Sandford’s newest (editor’s note: that would appear to be “Buried Prey”)

Dear John (Nicholas Sparks) - he always writes stories that take place near the beach.

Just finished Unfinished Business by James Van Praagh and just started Ghosts Among Us same author.

"""The Help""  Kathryn Stockett--Outstanding!  A must read. 

""The Widow Cliquot"""

Finishing "Profiles in Courage", by JFK.  Always wanted to read it. 

Started on "The Civil War, A Narrative", by Shelby Foote

"Master of the Senate" (3rd volume of biography on Lyndon Johnson, by Robert Caro)

Room by Emma Donoghue

Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart"

I've read a bunch of books already.  I've read two very interesting novels by Stephen Coonts: Cuba and Saucer.  Both were real page turners that I finished in a couple of days.  I also read the Andrew Morton biography of Tom Cruise.  I was at my folks' home, and it was on the bedside table.  I wouldn't have sought it out otherwise, but it's scary the hold Scientology has over Mr. Cruise.  I'm also reading a true story about Navy Seals in Afghanistan - Seal Team 10... only one of whom survived.  I'm rereading a few old stand-bys by Jane Austen: Emma and Pride and Prejudice.

Reading the Reliable Wife.  Would like to read Girl with the Dragon Tatoo and Devil in the White City.

Reading: "Giants Among Men" by Jack Cavanaugh. The book details how players like Andy Robustelli, Frank Gifford and Sam Huff established a winning tradition in New York , establishing them as iconic like figures in NYC. 

Reagan's Revolution and An American Life

The Help

The Messenger by Daniel Silva

"The Name of the Wind" and "The Wise Man's Fear" by Patrick Rothfuss

Reckless Endangerment by Gretchen Morgenson and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Just finished Water For Elephants so I could see the movie before it left the budget cinema.  Now I'm going to read The Hunger Games before the movie version of that comes out.

The Hunger Games

Uncommon Man (Tony Dungy);

This Side of Heaven (Karen Kingsbury);

How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)

Paul Doiron's new mystery, "Trespasser".

New books by Lee Child and John Sanford.

More of JD Robb's In Death series 

I'm just finishing up the final installment in Dean Koontz' Frankenstein series, "The Dead Town". What a great series and interesting take on an old story!

The new book on Whitey Bulger by Howie Carr, a Boston radio talk show host.

I am reading Smoking Seventeen By Janet Evanovich

James Patterson has a couple of new books out which I plan on reading this summer.

"So Much For That" by Lionel Shriver.  If you haven't read "We Have to Talk About Kevin" by the same author, you should!

Now, as for the list of books that readers recommended:

The Fifth Witness

The Big Short

"The Name of the Wind" and "The Lies of Locke Lamora" are some of the best new fantasy to be written in a long time... but both are new series that haven't been finished yet. Or "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" -- another new fantasy classic.

Game of Thrones series by George R R Martin, The Hunger Games trilogy, the Passage by Justin Cronin

 

The Help (not light "summer" reading but still an excellent book)!

The Good Guy and A Little Big Life both by Dean Koontz.  If you are a dog lover, you'll need kleenex for the ending of the second one.

"The Return of Merlin -- very odd book about competing time periods coming together in Britain

Anything by David Baldacci"

"I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith - a delightful coming-of-age novel, told from the wise and witty voice of a 17-year old gifl who's as relevant today as she was in the 1940s when the book was first published.

I missed it when it first came out, but it's worth the read:  Water for Elephants

Anything by Marian Keyes. It's "chick lit," but definitely the deep end of the pool.

The Help by Kathyrn Stocket, anything by Harlen Coben, Water for Elephants

My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme

"""The Hellhound of Wall Street"" by Michael Perino.  True story of Ferdinand Pecora, as special counsel who put Wall Street bankers on the hot seat during Senate hearings of market crash - circa 1933. Deja Vu

 

""Extraordinary Circumstances"" by Cynthia Cooper

""On The Brink"" by Henry Paulson

""A Colossal Failure of Common Sense"" by Lawrence McDonald

""The Big Short"" by Micheal Lewis

""Too Big To Fail"" by Andrew Ross Sorkin

""Conspiracy of Fools"" by Kurt Eichenwald"

"Under the Banner of Heaven

The Imperial Cruise"

I've always enjoyed Clive Cussler novels, particularly as summer reads. These are targeted, generally, for a male audience.

Saving the Bill of Rights, Frank Miniter 

"The Help

Unbroken"

Delivering Happiness (Zappos book), Wellbeing (Tom Rath), and anything by Robert Parker.

Under the Dome by Stephen King - fabulous long book good for the beach

The Shack / Oogy for Dog lovers

"The Help"

Summer at Tiffany a really great light summer read.

I think the Stephen Coonts books would be good.  He is a good military writer, similar to Tom Clancy, in that he makes a very interesting story for all to read while also discussing the technical aspects of military life.

The Help, Water for Elephants, Loving Frank

"Giants Among Men

Instant Replay (a classic by Jerry Kramer)."

Rendezvous with Destiny (seeing a theme here?)

Anything by Daniel Silva or Lee Childs

 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory by Ben Macintyre

Queen of the Night by J.A. Jance

"Loon Cove" by Pamela Lord. Great summer read.

Replay

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, and all the Janet Evanovich & Sue Grafton mysteries.  Fun!

"I am reading and have been reading The sisterhood series by Fern Michaels this winter.  The first book in the series is Road Warriors, then payback"

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - Great Story

I'd read "The Help" before it comes out as a movie in August - great book!

 

Reader Recommendations

Now, as for the list of books that readers recommended:

The Fifth Witness

The Big Short

"The Name of the Wind" and "The Lies of Locke Lamora" are some of the best new fantasy to be written in a long time... but both are new series that haven't been finished yet. Or "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" -- another new fantasy classic.

Game of Thrones series by George R R Martin, The Hunger Games trilogy, the Passage by Justin Cronin

The Help (not light "summer" reading but still an excellent book)!

The Good Guy and A Little Big Life both by Dean Koontz.  If you are a dog lover, you'll need kleenex for the ending of the second one.

"The Return of Merlin -- very odd book about competing time periods coming together in Britain

Anything by David Baldacci"

"I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith - a delightful coming-of-age novel, told from the wise and witty voice of a 17-year old gifl who's as relevant today as she was in the 1940s when the book was first published.

 

I missed it when it first came out, but it's worth the read:  Water for Elephants

Anything by Marian Keyes. It's "chick lit," but definitely the deep end of the pool.

The Help by Kathyrn Stocket, anything by Harlen Coben, Water for Elephants

My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme

"""The Hellhound of Wall Street"" by Michael Perino.  True story of Ferdinand Pecora, as special counsel who put Wall Street bankers on the hot seat during Senate hearings of market crash - circa 1933. Deja Vu

""Extraordinary Circumstances"" by Cynthia Cooper

""On The Brink"" by Henry Paulson

""A Colossal Failure of Common Sense"" by Lawrence McDonald

""The Big Short"" by Micheal Lewis

""Too Big To Fail"" by Andrew Ross Sorkin

""Conspiracy of Fools"" by Kurt Eichenwald"

"Under the Banner of Heaven 

The Imperial Cruise"

I've always enjoyed Clive Cussler novels, particularly as summer reads. These are targeted, generally, for a male audience.

Saving the Bill of Rights, Frank Miniter

"The Help

Unbroken"

Delivering Happiness (Zappos book), Wellbeing (Tom Rath), and anything by Robert Parker.

Under the Dome by Stephen King - fabulous long book good for the beach

The Shack / Oogy for Dog lovers

"The Help"

Summer at Tiffany a really great light summer read.

I think the Stephen Coonts books would be good.  He is a good military writer, similar to Tom Clancy, in that he makes a very interesting story for all to read while also discussing the technical aspects of military life.

The Help, Water for Elephants, Loving Frank

"Giants Among Men

 

Instant Replay (a classic by Jerry Kramer)."

Rendezvous with Destiny (seeing a theme here?)

Anything by Daniel Silva or Lee Childs

Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas and Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory by Ben Macintyre

Queen of the Night by J.A. Jance

"Loon Cove" by Pamela Lord. Great summer read.

Replay

 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, and all the Janet Evanovich & Sue Grafton mysteries.  Fun!

"I am reading and have been reading The sisterhood series by Fern Michaels this winter.  The first book in the series is Road Warriors, then payback"

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - Great Story

I'd read "The Help" before it comes out as a movie in August - great book!

Now, you can probably get a sense from skimming that list – but “The Help” was, far and away, the most recommended book....as it was the most common on reader lists...

Thanks again to everyone who participated in our survey! 

 

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