June 24 10

In the airport yesterday, I stopped for a coffee and a doughnut and sat down with my new Kobo and dug myself deep into Moby Dick. (Wow. That sounds dirtier than I’d originally intended…) You see, it’s one of my blind spots and I am determined to  cross at least some of them off, and not only because people were OMG SHOCKED! at some of the things I haven’t seen or read or watched.

Sidebar: One thing I have seen recently is the new Karate Kid. I didn’t think I wanted to see it…I was really almost insulted by how the original trailers seemed to be replacing the beloved “wax on, wax off” with “take off your jacket, put on your jacket” which, well, didn’t quite cut it for me. Also, I mean, come on, the original Karate Kid will always be one of the most perfect movies to ever be made. (And my “sweet the lick” story still goes down in history as the most unintentionally hilarious thing to ever be) But, I have to say, I REALLY liked this new one. I am a huge fan of Jackie Chan and of Jaden Smith, and I’m not going to lie, they are my favorite celebrity couple right now. AND, you guys, oh my god, Isabella thought – and still thinks – that Jaden Smith was a girl, because of the braids. Which, I guess I can understand how a 4-year-old might be confused…

Sidebar: “I love a girl who enjoys doughnuts.” The pilot behind me in line at Tim’s, I’m guessing, doesn’t have enough women in his life who eat these delicious treats. “Thanks?” I said, unsure of how one responds to a line like that. I tried giving up on desserts and all that did was make me miserable, so now I indulge and it actually made me lose five pounds. Take that, Jillian Michaels.

Anyway, all of this was to ask you, nay, beg you to give me something else to put on my Kobo, you know, other than Moby Dick. My week at the beach begins in t-minus 3 days and I’m thinking that the Melville is just a wee bit heavy for plastic chairs and sand and sunscreen (SPF 50 all the way, baby!) although, let’s be honest, I’m taking my three children with me so I will most likely be in the water or building sandcastles or taking people to pee or getting drinks and not actually lying horizontal working on nothing but my tan (or my non-burn) and a good book.

BUT, I do want to be prepared for those surprise relaxing moments.

So please, if you will, tell me something you’ve read recently that you loved. I may reward you with cookies or a retelling of the sweet the lick story, if you’re lucky.

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  1. I just finished “Come Back” by Claire and Mia Fonataine. It is a bit heavy for a beach read but it was an amazing book!

    Comment by ally (adil320) on June 24, 2010
  2. What is a Kobo? I’m guessing like a Kindle?

    I highly recommend any of Jen Lancaster’s books, great beach reads. Also, Maureen Lipinski has 2 (Bump in the Road and Back in Mom Jeans) which are both great and funny!

    Have you read the Percy Jackson series? Those are quick and easy and entertaining.

    Also, Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

    Comment by Kristabella on June 24, 2010
  3. Rise and Shine by Anna Quinlan. It’s not me, It’s you, by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor. Those are probably the only two books I’ve read in the last year that wasn’t a kid book.

    Comment by Issa on June 24, 2010
  4. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch, anything by Kristin Hannah.

    Comment by Lori on June 24, 2010
  5. I recently read and loved Colum McCann’s Let the Great World Spin. It’s a big huge novel set in 1974 NYC and telling the stories of all sorts of people; from artists to hookers, from mothers of dead Vietnam War soldiers to Irish immigrants. McCann interweaves all their stories and I could barely put the book down while I was reading it.

    I may have a little “thing” for Irish accents, and it probably didn’t hurt that I imagined Liam Neeson reading the entire thing to me in my head. But even aside from that it was one of the most beautiful and compelling books I’ve read in a long while (though not exactly a beach read!)

    Comment by Jennifer on June 24, 2010
  6. I read NINE books on my honeymoon and, of the ones I read, I most highly recommend Little Bee and the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. I devoured those four books in four days straight! Also, I agree with Lori: Anything by Kristin Hannah (and not just because she spells her name right either!).

    Comment by Camels & Chocolate on June 24, 2010
  7. Some of my favorites:
    Anything by David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs, “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline, “The Lonely Polygamist” by Brady Udall, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett..And I’m sorry, but I like Jodi Picoult 🙂 Did you read “House Rules”? Good one.

    Comment by MegglesP on June 24, 2010
  8. Oh, and I downloaded Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen onto my Kobo the night I got it. I devour anything that woman writes!

    Comment by Jennifer on June 24, 2010
  9. Have you read The Help?

    Comment by Tammi Marie on June 24, 2010
  10. Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving (although ANYTHING by him is fabulous)

    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo/ The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (I haven’t read the third one yet, but I can’t wait!)

    The World to Come and All Other Nights by Dara Horn

    Comment by Rachel on June 24, 2010
  11. Loved The Help and The Girl with the Dragon Tatto. And Ali, sometimes the beach needs a little Jodi P.

    Comment by Jen Maier on June 24, 2010
  12. Heh…Jen, I have read, like, 8 of her books and they just, I don’t know, there’s so much potential there and she pretty much can’t end a book to save her life. She’s got me dragged in emotionally and then, just, LOSES IT. She needs to hire me to write her last 50 pages. HEH.
    .-= alimartell´s last blog ..Just PLEASE…no Jodi Picoult, mmmkay? =-.

    Comment by alimartell on June 24, 2010
  13. The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips.
    .-= RockyCat´s last blog ..I blame it on the earthquake =-.

    Comment by RockyCat on June 24, 2010
  14. I’d highly recommend both “The Help” and “American Wife” if you haven’t read either of those. (“American Wife” is basically a fictionalization of Laura Bush, which I thought would be a total snore-fest, but it’s oddly fascinating.)

    I’m also a huge John Irving fan, although a lot of his more recent books have been hit or miss. But “A Widow for One Year” was great.

    Comment by cindy w on June 24, 2010
  15. My opinion is that if you don’t like Jodi Picoult, you will also strongly dislike Kristin Hannah. She makes me roll my eyes like crazy.

    I did not want to read the Sweet Potato Pie book but I did, and I actually loved it. Great beach read.

    Comment by Emily on June 24, 2010
  16. books? what are those? time to read? what is this?

    Comment by gorillabuns on June 24, 2010
  17. Remembering the Bones by Frances Itani – Canadian writer, set in Toronto – DO IT! Also currently reading Deafening by the same author and it’s set in Belleville/Deseronto.
    .-= Julienne´s last blog ..Weekend update. =-.

    Comment by Julienne on June 24, 2010
  18. Have you read Molokai and/or Honolulu by Alan Brennart? Both great reads. Also The Komadants Girl was a good one. Little Bee was interesting. I have just started The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet-aside from the corny title the book is good so far. Happy reading!

    Comment by Arica on June 24, 2010
  19. I am rereading “Save Karyn”. It’s about a woman who moves to New York and uses her Amex card for lots of “emergencies” and wracks up lots of debt and finds a way out. I’m reading it because I’m broke and don’t have any money to buy new books.

    Comment by Karen on June 24, 2010
  20. I am halfway through The Help and am having trouble putting it down to, you know, go to work and actually talk to human beings. That’s a sure sign I am enjoying something! 🙂 One Fifth Ave by Candace Bushnell is total fluff but fun. Check out some of my other fluff/beach read favs on GoodReads, a totally addicting site when I can remember to log in and update it btw! – http://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?i=LTM2MDU3NjEzNzg6MzYw

    Comment by Katherine on June 24, 2010
  21. Okay, I have been reading your site forever and never comment but I can’t pass this one up. I loved The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand. Some of her others were hit and miss but that one is awesome.

    Comment by Chelle on June 24, 2010
  22. Let me now if you want me to send the ARC for my next novel (literary mainstream.) I have about 40 copies sitting in my living room, all fire-hazardy, and no idea who to give them to.

    I recently read Oh Pure and Radiant Heart, by Lydia Millet. Her writing is beautiful, it’s a reasonably easy read, and the story is so utterly unique. I’m really, really picky about the books I read, and I adored this one.

    Comment by *Pieces of My Life* on June 24, 2010
  23. I’m reading Shootin’ the Shit with Kevin Smith. Hilarious if you ask me, but I’m a Kevin Smith fan.

    Comment by Cass on June 24, 2010
  24. Ooh, just remembered another one: Edinburgh, by Alexander Chee. Maybe not exactly a beach read…but definitely a must read for whenever you’re not in a bad mood. (If you’re in a bad mood, you may turn suicidal.)

    Comment by *Pieces of My Life* on June 24, 2010
  25. I second The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo! Best series I’ve ever read, although I’m still knee deep in the third one.

    Comment by Mac & Cheese on June 24, 2010
  26. Forever Amber is looooooong, but oh so worth it. Also Me Talk Pretty One Day…. Or because I am reading it right now, Vanity Fair

    Comment by Maile on June 24, 2010
  27. There’s a damn good chance I would consider assaulting Jodi Picoult if ever I saw her somewhere. I mean, not really, because I’m not a violent person. But something about her. It just grates.

    Comment by Amanda on June 24, 2010
  28. The Handmaids Tale maybe? The Hunger Games?
    or what’s on my list: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    Comment by Tammi Marie on June 24, 2010
  29. What about some Margaret Atwood? “The blind assasin” is one of my faves, and I am reading “The Year Of the Flood” by her right now and it’s awesome so far.

    Comment by Brie on June 24, 2010
  30. I just started reading “Alias Grace” by Margaret Atwood, and I’m enjoying it so far (and it takes place in Richmond Hill!).

    How about Life of Pi? It’s also pretty heavy, but it takes place on the water so it’s somewhat appropriate reading for the beach.

    Comment by Lu on June 25, 2010
  31. “Best Friends Forever”, author’s name escapes me, same as “Good in Bed”, long and fun read.
    Linda

    Comment by Linda on June 25, 2010
  32. “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon is a great read and also the first book in a series. Good love story.

    Comment by Liz on June 25, 2010
  33. oh, please try the moonflower vine by jetta carleton a chance. It’s amazing.

    Comment by jamie on June 25, 2010
  34. The Hunger Games. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.
    .-= Sarahviz´s last blog ..Myrtle Beach Maturation =-.

    Comment by Sarahviz on June 25, 2010
  35. do not read Every Last One, the new Anna Quindlen book, at the beach. You MUST read it another time, though, and be forewarned that it will make you cry and you can’t cry at the beach, it’s against the Rules. The Help is a good beach book, as is The Bean Trees (?) by Barbara Kingsolver (and Animal Dreams) Also anything by Jonathan Tropper.

    Comment by Pam on June 25, 2010
  36. Books I have read and loved somewhat recently:

    Outlander – Diana Gabaldon

    The Birth House – Ami McKay

    Copper Beech – Maeve Binchy

    Same Kind of Different As Me- Denver Moore & Ron Hall

    Comment by Carrisa on June 25, 2010
  37. I’m currently reading the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. True Blood is based on these books. They’re fantastic. Really. They are. As long as you’re not looking for serious literature here.

    Comment by Laura on June 25, 2010
  38. The last book I read was A Reliable Wife which was pretty good.

    I don’t have any other suggestions but I appreciate you getting a list for me to bogart, thanks! 🙂

    Comment by Gila on June 25, 2010
  39. As mentioned above, the Hunger Games series are amazing. Also, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, The Hand That First Held Mine, Shades of Grey, The Sound of Building Coffins, Blackout.

    Comment by Lauren on June 25, 2010
  40. This is a total summer bum beach read but it’s so much fun: Shoe Addicts Anonymous

    Comment by Lottifish on June 25, 2010
  41. I know a bunch of others have already recommended this, but I just recently finished reading “The Help” and it is definitely my favorite book of all the ones I’ve read so far this year.

    I’m now reading “Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin. It’s pretty good. As are her other books, “Love the one You’re With” and “Baby Proof”.

    Comment by erin on June 25, 2010
  42. Hi there, I’m in Canada and I’m thinking of getting the Kobo reader. How do you find yours? Any troubles with the downloading of books?

    Comment by Diane on June 26, 2010
  43. Forwarding on 2 books as I type this…I had my hands on the staff Kobo and liked it. It think it’s the way I’m going, now that I finally had my hands on a Kindle yesterday…they sell them in Target?! I did not now that.

    Comment by Amanda on June 27, 2010
  44. THREE CUPS OF TEA, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

    Comment by Pam on June 28, 2010
  45. Do you like British humor? Try Mercury Falling – it’s very funny.

    Comment by Avitable on June 29, 2010
  46. I’m commenting on this entry again because in spite of me knowing Jodi Picoult endings always suck a dong, I read another one of her books. I finished it last night. Sweet Jesus: I could have punched a baby after reading the horrible ending. That is all. So long and good night.

    Comment by Amanda on July 2, 2010
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