Summer reading. Does it get any better than that? After spending last summer on a few beaches, I decided Southern beach novels were a-okay with me. My February 2011 release, Save the Date, is set in Charleston, SC. The burden of research meant I had to go and check out Charleston and the surrounding beach towns.
This summer I am super excited to read Southern chick Mary Kay Andrews’ latest, Summer Rental. (Sidenote: I mis-typed and initially said “I am super excited to read Summer Renal!”) I love Mary Kay’s sense of humor and her Southern sass, her quirky characters, and rich detailed settings, written in such a way, you feel like you’re right there. And since most of them are near a beach, who wouldn’t want to be transported into her settings? I also love her way with a light romance.
One of my favorites of Mary Kay Andrews is Fixer Upper. I like the story a lot, and I ADORE the cover. What I like about MK is that she write
s about the Savannah and Tybee Island area. I actually read Fixer Upper on my first (and so far only) trip to Tybee Island last summer. Sat right on the beach and read it. Turned the pages while keeping one eye on my mother and aunt doing face plants in the ocean thanks to some crazy strong island waves. Read the book while my aunt got stung by jelly fish near her crotch then made a young Lifeguard apply some de-stinging ointment. Anyway, Mary Kay has a summer home on Tybee and you can see some of it HERE. Prepare to be jealous.
I’m also excited to FINALLY, FINALLY read Lisa Tawn Bergren’s first dip into YA, Waterfall. I’ve heard such great things about this book. I really need to catch up on my YA. And despite the fact that I’m a little Morelli-Ranger weary, I might pick up Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich. (Team Ranger). Here are some recommendations of books I’ve read in previous years that you had better read before September knocks on your door.
1. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. One of my favorite books of all time. If you don’t love quaint, character-driven books, heart-warming tales, and humor, stay away. This book is so freaking clever, it’s the book that comes to mind when I think about what I wish I had written. It’s like one big ol’ hug. This book is a little confusing initially, but you MUST keep reading. I promise you will be glad you did. Any time I give someone this advice for this book, they are like, “Exactly!” I don’t read slow books, so I promise it doesn’t stay confusing and slow for long.
2. The Help. Enough said. Read this one before the August movie. Their choices for the “maids” cast are absolutely brilliant. I’m withholding judgment on Skeeter.
3. Invention of Hugo Cabret, middle level YA. Beautiful, deceptively-easy read.(Side note II: Every time I recommend this book, I called it The Invention of Hugo Chavez. I do not get many takers, but know no matter what I call this thing, this book is NOT about a Venezuelan president.) A movie is also on the way.
4. A Year Down Yonder, also middle-level YA, but everyone should read this. Everyone on the planet. Richard Peck is a genius. I can’t tell you how many adults I’ve made read this book.
5. A Girl Named Zippy, nonfiction by Haven Kimmel about her life growing up in Indiana. Sounds absolutely, mind-numbingly dull. My agent sent this book to me a few years ago and I’ve bought it for countless people. The story is good, but her writing will make you want to slap someone. It’s that excellent.
What about you? What are you excited to read or recommend? I’m always ready to add to my To Be Read list!
Jenny B. Jones is an award-winning author who writes romantic comedies for both women and teens. When she’s not writing, she’s living it up as a high school speech and creative writing teacher. When she’s not educating the masses, she’s binge Facebooking and financially/nutritionally supporting Ben and Jerry’s. Her next release, There You’ll Find Me, a YA from Thomas Nelson, releases October 2011.
10 comments
Sharon says:
July 15, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks for all the great beach read suggestions, Jenny B. Love to have suggestions from authors I love to read. Adored The Help and can't wait for the movie. The beaches here are tiny and are around man-made lakes, no waves to speak of, no shells, just some sand and water, but water and sky and sand work for me. So, off to the beach…
Rachel Hauck says:
July 15, 2011 at 6:34 am (UTC -5 )
Great list! I meant to add The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society too. LOVED that book.
My first Mary Kay Andrews book was Itty Bitty Lies which was fab.
And I have yet to read The Help but it's on my ereader.
Great list. I'll check out your other titles, JB!!
Love you!
Rachel
Beth Webb Hart says:
July 15, 2011 at 8:06 am (UTC -5 )
Richard Peck is awesome. Loved the Help. Will certainly check out the others. Thank you for this great list and a good laugh re: the anti-sting ointment near the crotch!
Lisa Wingate says:
July 15, 2011 at 8:18 am (UTC -5 )
Thank you for the suggestions, Jenny! I've read some but not others. Looks like I have some great readin' ahead of me!
Shanda says:
July 15, 2011 at 10:58 am (UTC -5 )
Thanks for the suggestions! Some of these were 'new-to-me', but "The Help" REALLY impacted me. After reading it, I wanted to apologize to everyone over the age of 50 who didn't look like me.
And don't get me started on how much I LOVED (is there a way to make all caps bigger for emphasis, when commenting?) "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society". I read it for the first time on a plane 2 Christmases ago, and thought "I wonder if 'character' knew Corrie Ten Boom while they were at Ravensbruck? They would've been such a comfort to each other."
When I remembered that this was a fiction book, I honest-to-goodness started crying. (If only the steward who came over to comfort me had been my type – or I his, Hello! – that could have been a great meet-cute!)
Thanks again for the shopping list, I mean, book recommendations!
Jenny B. Jones says:
July 15, 2011 at 8:48 pm (UTC -5 )
Thanks, y'all. Probably my favorite topic this week. : )
Shanda, I was reading Guernsey a few years ago while traveling to Ireland. I sat in the airport reading, tears streaming down my face. Then I'm in a bathroom in Shannon, and two ladies stop me to talk to me about the book. It's just that kind of book, isn't it? I just wanted to BE Elizabeth. She was so inspiring.
Velma says:
July 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC -5 )
Thanks for the awesome list! I loved the Guernsey book as well.
I seem to be the only reader alive who has not read The Help, but I plan to read it soon. The trailers for the movie seem so good, and I always love to read the book before I see the movie.
I'm pretty careful about what I read. I mostly read Christian fiction, so I've been leery to read the Mary Kay Andrews books. I am a Georgia girl, so I am always looking for books set in my home state, so I might check them out.
I am a middle grades teacher, and I love, love, love A Year Down Yonder. Thanks again for the book list.
donvelma@gmail.com
Deena says:
July 21, 2011 at 8:03 am (UTC -5 )
Finally read "Guernsey" and LOVED IT! Also broke down and read "The Help"…except for some minor language and a scene with a man about a pie (no, not THAT scene)…good read.
I'm like another reader here…careful what I read. Since I'm a visual reader (seeing scenes like motion pictures in my mind's eye) I've grown careful of what goes into my projector.
So, how "clean" is Mary Kay Andrews with her fiction (Golly, I HATE asking that kind of question, but it's not a judgment, it's a protection for me)….hopin' y'all understand me…..
Loved "The Hunger Games" (sad it's already becoming a movie, though), enjoyed "Matched", first in a new trilogy for YA, ADORED Lisa Bergren's "River of Time"…Go Lisa!
And I'm a HUGE fan of every author writing HERE on the blog….cannot WAIT, Jenny! Have you and Beth on a wishlist for coming soon books;-)
Elizabeth says:
September 1, 2011 at 4:58 am (UTC -5 )
Hi Jenny,
Great post and loved all the recommendations! Loved Guernsey. Loved The Help. Have you read Still Alice? Not YA but a fantastic book that I have recommended many times.
Also, after having "met" you at She Speaks I came home and recommended your books to my oldest daughter (12-nearly 13). She LOVES your writing and can't wait to read them all! So I think you would make her "must-read" list
Thanks for the great post.
Espana says:
June 4, 2012 at 10:18 pm (UTC -5 )
Summer Rental is a familiar story. It doesn't have any unexpected surprises but instead feels like a book you've read before. While the characters each grow a little and help each other through their troubles, the story seemed to lack the depth it could have had. The ending also wraps up a little too neatly and the resolution of the suspense subplot was conducive to some eye rolling. Still for all its sameness and flaws it is an enjoyable beach read. I liked this book for what it was-a fun, light chick lit novel perfect for summer reading. Pack this one in your beach bag if you are a fan of Jennifer Weiner, Patti Callahan Henry, and Beth Harbison.