What’s on YOUR Summer TBR?
Mom’s at it again. She’s skipping merrily around the house, opening every window in sight. Humming that Temptations song. You know the one. About sunshine on a cloudy day.
Here in the omni-soggy Pacific Northwest, we take whatever we can get in the “sunshine” department. Maybe that explains Mom lately. Why she keeps crowing, “Summer’s comin’! Woo-hoo!”
Has anyone found my frisbee? Cuz frankly, what’s summer without a nice, chewy, frisbee?
Anyway, with the weather warming up and some blue skies finally putting in an appearance, we whipped up a quick list of books for your summer reading. Categories include:
- Most Unusual and Imaginative.
- Most Intriguing.
- Notable Nonfiction.
- Just Plain Fun.
- Favorite Re-reads.
- Most Poignant.
- #1 Favorites.
Titles appear in no particular order. So without further ado, here ya are. You’re welcome:
MOST UNUSUAL and IMAGINATIVE
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series – Ransom Riggs
The Case of the Crying Signpost – Tom Xavier
Olly and the Smores of Smoke Hill – Glenn Somodi
The Pilgrim’s Progress for the 21st Century – David Harakal
MOST INTRIGUING
The Extraordinary Curiosities of Ixworth and Maddox – J.D. Grolic
The Secret Sky – Atia Abawi
An Eagle in the Snow – Michael Morpurgo
Shelter – Harlan Coben
Dark Sky, Storm Watch – C.J. Box
Wuxia America – Michael DeMarco
NOTABLE NON-FICTION
Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds – Joy Adamson
The Family Romanov – Candace Fleming
Anna’s Story – Steven Kautner
The Last Dance: A Memoir of the Garden Island Grille – Dave Trentlage
Twelve Years a Slave – Solomon Northrup
JUST PLAIN FUN
Dog On It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery– Spencer Quinn. (Told from the dog’s point of view)
Bunnicula – Deborah and James Howe. (Narrated by the family dog, Harold)
It’s a Wonderful Woof – Spencer Quinn
FAVORITE RE-READS
Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis (on disc)
King of the Wind – Marguerite Henry. Newbery Medal winner.
Tuck Everlasting– Natalie Babbitt. Christopher Award winner.
Anything by Walt Morey, O. Henry, Gary Paulsen, or E.B. White (like The Ransom of Red Chief and Stuart Little. I also confess a perennial fondness for a little monkey and a man in a yellow hat.)
Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak. Caldecott Medal winner.
Fury – Stallion of Broken Wheel Ranch – Albert Miller
Out of Africa – Isak Dinesen
Flash of Phantom Canyon – Agnes Ranney
Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell. Newbery Medal winner.
The Silver Brumby – Elyne Mitchell. Set in Australia, it’s the book that made me want to become a writer.
MOST POIGNANT
This is a tough category. It’s highly subjective. Of all the books I’ve read during summer, however, the stand-out here would have to be: Leonard: My Fifty Year Friendship With a Remarkable Man, by William Shatner (2016).
Meticulously researched and carefully crafted, this biography/memoir/history is a moving tribute to a complicated, talented man by another complicated, talented man. (Talk about rapier wit. Who knew “Captain Kirk” could be so hilarious – or so heartbreaking?)
Hence Bill Shatner’s poignant final sentence in this fascinating read. Toward the end of the book, Shatner chronicles how a rift in the relationship developed over an apparent misunderstanding. Despite Shatner’s efforts to mend fences, Leonard stopped talking to Bill. Leonard died (2015) before the two old friends could reconcile. Shatner closes this warm, rich memoir with this final elegiac line:
“LLAP** my friend, my dear, dear friend.”
#1 FAVORITES
This category includes Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, An Unexpected Journey, and Me (Jon Katz), and The Dog Who Was There (Ron Morasco).
A story of faithful love, unswerving devotion, and understanding without words, Izzy & Lenore: Two Dogs, An Unexpected Journey, and Me effervesces like a bottle of Cristal Brut Methusalah.
An abandoned, half-feral border collie reluctantly taken in by author Jon Katz, Izzy becomes a hospice dog. Somehow Izzy learns what can’t be taught: how to help the dying leave this world with dignity – “Oh! A dog! Where on earth did you come from, you handsome thing?” – and how to best comfort those left behind.
Set in first century Jerusalem, The Dog Who Was There is a heart-warming, surprising story about a little dog, Barley (that’s not a typo), and a Teacher from Galilee. This wonderful story is soaked in loss, loyalty, sadness, promise, and Great Joy. I’ve never read anything quite like it. You won’t want to miss this one.
I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and Their Humans – Carmen Leal
What’s on your summer TBR?
Pages & Paws 
May 30, 2023 at 8:20 am
Thank you for the shout-out for my book The Last Dance. It’s a true honor to be mentioned in your list of books. it was nice to see C.J. Box tucked in there, I love Joe Pickett as well as most of his other books. You do a wonderful service to the author community as well as a trusted source for what to read next. Not to drag on, but you mentioned The Killer Angels in one of your posts. A book by Michael Shaara about the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. It is one of my all-time favorite books. When he died, his son Jeff picked up the mantle and became a fantastic historical fiction writer. American History excites me and that’s where my next writing project is taking me. Keep up the great work and thank you again.
May 30, 2023 at 8:35 am
Thanks so much for the kind words Dave! Much appreciated! We “stumbled upon” C.J. Box and the Joe Pickett series awhile back. Now we keep a sharp eye out for Box’s new releases. The Killer Angels is a #1 fave in Civil War lit. I actually find a copy at the library’s used book sale the other day for $1.00! SCORE! I’ve read a few of Jeff’s books but am partial to his dad’s stuff. We’ll look forward to your next writing project! Please keep us posted! Thanks again!