My summer reading is the same as any other season. I want a story that grabs me. I want to be transported, while comfy on my couch ensconced by dogs. I want to finish the book and feel the need to call my friends and tell them to read it, who cares that it’s three in the morning. Here are some books that do that.
1. The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Connie Willis is an amazing science-fiction writer. She’s won 11 Hugo awards & 7 Nebula awards. The Doomsday Book won both…pretty high accolades. Imagine learning by living history! Kivrin, a young student studying at Oxford in the year 2054, is sent back to 1320. This previously was thought to be a time too dangerous to visit (something to do with the time-space continuum) , but due to special circumstances it is allowed. We follow Kivrin on her journey in the past while also becoming aware of a strange influenza epidemic taking place at the University. It’s possible the two events are related and they realize that a horrible mistake has been made.
2. Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
A horror-themed book with incredible writing doesn’t come along every day. The main character, Joe Ledger, is great fun and quite the bad ass…the DMS is lucky to have him. When terrorists start testing biological weapons, his team must face some heavy duty situations that are action-packed and psychologically challenging. A scary and compelling storyline with wonderful characters and top-notch suspense. Don’t let the “horror” category turn you away if you’re not a fan – this book is a mixture of genres, and for anyone who likes a good adventure.
3. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
It’s out of the limelight now, since the movie has come and gone, but this book is still amazing. Lyra & Will live in different, but parallel, universes and are each able to cross over. Lyra’s world is beautiful and I fell in love with all the characters. It’s a fantasy novel and a coming of age story. Very intelligent, with a fair amount of commentary on religion today. The best part is when you finish, there are two more books in the series which you’ll immediately want to start.
4. Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston
Wow! I devoured this. Mystic Arts… is phenomenal… Interesting characters, razor-sharp dialogue, insane situations, shocking violence & humor all rolled up into this flaming ball of a novel. When Huston was at the store promoting his last book, he said there had been some talk about turning it into an HBO series. I’m still excitedly crossing my fingers.
5. The Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson
I never realized how fascinating lobsters were until I started reading this book. From their strange anatomy to their crazy mating habits, Corson kept me turning pages. He also describes the differing opinions between the scientists, the lobster fisherman and the environmentalists about declining lobster populations and what to do about it.
6. Irish Girl by Tim Johnston
These stories blew me away. Tim Johnston manages to catch fragments of life filled with humanity and fleeting moments that change everything. The writing is dark, beautiful and bare. He manages to say more in 7 pages than some authors do in entire novels. My favorite is probably Water or Things Go Missing…or maybe Irish Girl – damn, they’re all so good and unforgettable.
7. Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter by Tom Bissell
Whether you’re a die-hard gamer or just vaguely interested in the medium – this book will have something for you. It’s a collection of essays on various video games, gaming companies, and the game as art. Always hilarious, often enlightening – Tom Bissell tells these stories with intelligence & heart. Read the section called “Headshots” and you’ll be hooked!
BookPeople 
I have mixed feelings about the Doomsday Book. On the one hand, the stuff with Kivrin in the past is riveting, well researched, and heartbreaking. When events start to go down, you really feel it in the gut. I’ve even considered reading it again based on the strength of Kivrin’s story.
On the other hand, the modern day story that takes place at the university I found to be slow, aggravating, and artificially drawn out, with the only sympathetic character being Professor Dunworthy. This may have been by design, but it didn’t work for me…personal opinion of course.
I’ve been meaning to read some more of Willis’ work, however. Do you have any particular suggestions?
Reblogged this on Beneath the Page and commented:
I might have to add a few of these to my list of books to read!
Yes! The first book of her’s I ever read was To Say Nothing of the Dog. It’s another book in the time travel series, but much more lighthearted and really, really funny and very well written. Again you have the juxtaposition of two stories, the past & the present, but I thought they were both interesting and this book mainly takes place in the Oxford of 1888. Ned Verity is supposed to be there for some relaxation (which of course doesn’t happen). It’s very much a comedy, mishap after error after blunder. And it’s got Cyril! One of the best “dogs in a book” characters ever.
I agree that the present day story in Doomsday was a bit…harried. But I was completely taken with the past. It was horrible! To Say Nothing of the Dog is the opposite in that it will make you smile, not cringe.
Also, just a head’s up. I haven’t started it yet, but there is an anthology of Connie Willis that just came out on July 9th. It’s 10 stories that are all either Hugo or Nebula award winners.
Katie