Summer Reading List

I've been thinking of creating a summer reading list for myself but haven't researched yet what books to include! So first, I'll share some of my all-time favorite summer reading (great for any season, really!!) :)

Please leave a comment with your favorite summer reading books, I'd love to make a list this month and go book-hunting! :) Thanks!

Some of these are out of print but it's worth digging up a copy from your local used bookstore! Quite a few are what I'd call mystery, suspense and light romance. When I say 'light romance', I think of think Cary Grant - the type of romance in old fashioned black and white movies :)

Mary Stewart: lovely descriptions that let you actually experience new places and mysteries with the characters! I just adore her writing. Great plots, lots of suspense and a little bit of old-fashioned romance!

My favorites:
Nine Coaches Waiting - a young woman travels to France to be a governess for a mysterious couple and their nephew in a mansion...

Touch Not the Cat - a woman investigates the death of her father (there is a wonderful magical feel to this one, but not overbearing!)

Thornyhold - a woman inherits a quaint cottage in rural England from a mysterious aunt...

The Stormy Petrel - a writer leaves for a vacation in an 'ivory tower' and finds intrigue and interesting strangers!

The Moonspinners - a young woman on vacation roams rural Greece and finds more than rare plants and flowers!

Madam Will You Talk? - a young woman meets a little boy on vacation and finds he needs her help!


I've never read a Mary Stewart book I didn't like, and in fact I've read them all at least 4 times!!


Phyllis Whitney:
Phyllis Whitney's books have very intriguing plots and mysteries, and are always a good read! The sense of place and involvement of the reader are almost as good as Mary Stewarts, in my opinion! As in Mary Stewart's books, these are often similar to gothic mysteries - lovely suspense and a little bit of very light old-fashioned romance! Often these books involve a young woman stumbling into a mystery and meeting two men and having to figure out which is 'good' and which is 'bad'... perfect for summer reading!

My favorite book by her is:
Silverhill - a woman visits the home of her deceased mother and finds danger and mystery!


Jeanne Ray:
Jeanne's books are a great light read - they have very good character development, humor and a little bit of light romance! These books often focus on relationships between family members, their significant others, etc.

Julie and Romeo: an adorable romantic comedy featuring two 60-year olds from rivaling florist families!!

Step Ball Chain: a great read about family relationships and romances!


Mignon F. Ballard:
I've read two of her Angel books, and prefer the first, but both are nice for light summer reading!

Angel at Troublesome Creek: a woman who recently lost her mother finds mystery and advice from a visiting guardian angel! Very cute book, a little mystery, a little humor, and a little light romance!


Dorothy Cannell:
Her early books were completely wonderful!!! Great mix of humor, light romance and mystery!

My absolute favorite book by her is:
The Thin Woman - an overweight woman seeks an escort to a family reunion of sorts, and ends up hunting for antique treasure and a smaller waist size! Hard to describe, but completely fabulous book. The rest of the books in the series are good, but in my opinion don't hold a candle to the first.

Also good by D.Cannell are:
God Save the Queen - a young woman, the daughter of a servant in an old castle (set in modern times - the family is very old and lives in the 'grand hall'), attempts to solve an old family mystery, and discovers love in the process!

Down the Garden Path - a woman poses as an amnesiac to dig up the truth in a suspenseful, lightly romantic mystery!


Nancy Atherton: :
So far I have loved every Nancy Atherton book I have read!! I have reread them all. Start with:
Aunt Dimity's Death - a woman down on her luck loses her mother, and gains an aunt, a great mystery, and a nice young lawyer & his father!

If you enjoy it, I recommend the entire series!

Yasmine Galenorn:
This author is for those who enjoy a bit of the supernatural - there are some new age spiritualism and supernatural aspects to these mysteries, but they are fantastic reads whether or not you share her beliefs! I have enjoyed the whole series.


Melissa Nathan:
These books are utterly engrossing! Some of the best from the chick lit (chicklit?) genre. Wonderful character development, lots of wry humor, fantastic plots! They are not quite as 'fluffy' as some of the chicklit novels!

All of her books are wonderful, but my 2 favorites are:

The Nanny - a girl seeks change in her life and finds a job as a nanny - hilarity, heart-warming children, and light romance ensue.

Persuading Annie - I don't know how to describe this without giving away the plot, but generally - a young woman learns the truth about some mistakes in her past - this is a light drama, light romance, funny book.


Sophie Kinsella:
WONDERFUL - she might be my favorite chicklit author. Her books are completely hilarious, heartwarming and FUN! Becky might be my long-lost (though more stylish) twin sister!
I have loved all of her books - there is only one I have not yet read.
The Shopaholic series is fabulous, as is Can you keep a Secret, The Undomestic Goddess... Wonderful reading!!! Be prepared to stay up all night if you start one in the evening!

Laura Wolf:
Diary of a Mad Bride is a funny, slice-of-life, chicklit book describing one woman's path to her wedding. A perfect read for the beach or porch swing!