- July 19, 2017 -


What book you would recommend
for a summer reading list?

 

 

The question

What is more summery than sitting on the beach or the deck reading a book, iced tea (or maybe something spiked) in hand, sun shining above? Summer reading is something we look forward to every year and we know many of you do, too. This week, we thought we'd collect a QOTW Summer Reading List!

(Also, if you're a big fan of reading, you are most welcome to join our brand new virtual book club, McMaster Reads. Join here.)

The answers

Bravo for including so much excellent Canadian content! There is also a great mix of fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose (and graphic novels!), and heavy and light reading. This time, we decided to include most of the answers submitted so that we could provide the most thorough reading list to help you plan your summer reading. Enjoy!

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The QOTW Summer Reading List:

  • Pierre Burton -- Klondike
  • Defending Jacob by William Landay
  • I just finished reading Red Notice by Bill Browder. Not really light reading but fascinating and timely.
  • Aboriginal Ontario (Rogers and Smith)
  • The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin
  • On Immunity - Eula Biss
  • How to raise your children with love by Carlos Gonzales
  • My list of books and authors is by no stretch mind expanding. After a long day of work I am ready to read something that puts me to sleep not get all me all revved up; my day job does that. However since it is the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's birth the legendary architect any reading about him will be awesome. Buffalo where there are great examples of his and other great architects' work is having tours of his recently renovated Prairie Style Martin House. I am looking forward to it in September.
  • The Girl in Cabin 10 by Ruth Warr
  • James Patterson I, Alex Cross
  • The Danger Tree by David MacFarlane
  • Baker's Daughter by Grete Hale - inspirational and values laden...
  • Beartown
  • Rook by Sharon Cameron
  • Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer
  • Climate Wars by Gwynne Dyer
  • Paris Letters by Janice MacLeod is a lovely read. As it states on the front cover One woman's journey from the fast lane to a slow stroll in Paris. Very brave very intriguing. You'll love it!
  • I've just started reading The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. Its a bit early to say if its a good read for the summer but her other books: The Birth House (set in Nova Scotia - WWI era) and The Virgin Cure (set in NY 1870s) were both very good.
  • I would like to recommend the book Fahrenheit 451 because it is about burning books. We are making books and newspapers obsolete.
  • I try to include, in my summer reading list, a book that I've always wanted to read. One summer it was The Grapes of Wrath. It turned out to be one of my favourite books. Also A Prayer for Owen Meany.
  • The Debt to Pleasure by John Lanchester
  • Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff (2015) This is such a great read especially for discussion. First we follow Lotto and then Mathilde's account of their 24yr marriage. Love, revenge, family, art, sex and secrets, this is the perfect summer read.
  • New Hope for Concussions TBI and PTSD by Dr. Lawrence D. KOMER...it is a lifesaver 
  • Irish Country Doctor - it's a series, light reading but you fall in love with the characters!
  • Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese
  • Any of the books from the gray man series by Mark Greaney. Just great stories to read.
  • She's Not There by Joy Fielding and Six Meters of Pavement by Farzana Doctor
  • Red Notice
  • The handmaid's tale    
  • Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. A thrilling journey of a scientist who discovers a multiverse.
  • Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
  • THE EXPECTED ONE by Kathleen McGowan
  • Any Human Heart by William Boyd
  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  • Mother Nature is Trying to Kill you. -Dan Riskin
  • Three Day Road, Through Black Spruce, The Orenda, Wenjack by Joseph Boyden (despite the controversy). A beautiful poignant writer who has researched and written stories of pieces of the history of Canada's indigenous peoples and their interactions with whites. We all need to get to know one another better and summer offers extra time to read reflect, and begin to try to understand the history of our amazing Canada. Seems like the perfect thing to do.
  • Anything by Elizabeth George. She writes great mysteries and are a perfect summer escape.
  • Oh that is a tough one!! There are so many. Well I am just back from a trip to Norway and in what little spare time I had I thoroughly enjoyed The Litigators by John Grisham. Light reading, forgettable, but great summer reading. Especially sitting outside next to a sparkling blue lake.
  • Try a classic sci-fi novel! Maybe 20 000 Leagues Under the Sea. It stays with you.
  • The Time In Between, M. Duenas
  • Summer reading, in my mind, should be light and easy to put down when a swim is needed. I recommend any of Janet Evanovich's 'number' series - light and humorous. An old fallback would be any Agatha Christie mystery.
  • I recommend The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa. Beautifully written, yet it exposes the disgusting behaviour of people and countries to others not like them. This historically based novel was a real eye-opener to the plight of refugees during WWII, which continues to this day.
  • Larry Niven's Flight of the horse
  • I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes (spy novel), The Conclave by Robert Harris, any Louise Penny (Canadian author) novel, Black Widow by Daniel Silva
  • They Left Us Everything: A Memoir by Plum Johnson
  • Leacock's Sunshine Sketches. It portrays incidents in my present town of Orillia.
  • The Captain of Kinnoul Hill by Hamilton author Jamie Tennant. This book is great fun and a great adventure.
  • How about some poetry from Wistawa Szymborska: View with a grain of Sand selected poems. This poet expresses human observation with humour and genius.
  • The Church of Marvels - by Leslie Parry This is one delightful, thoughtful, disturbing but celebratory book that encouraged me to explore my values and premises throughout. Don't pass this one up.
  • Anything by Julian Barnes, especially Staring at the Sun or Arthur & George. Anything by Jose Saramago, especially The Elephant's Journey or The History of the Siege of Lisbon. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
  • The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Summer is so hot, and the novel is hot and dusty. You'll feel right up in it with the Okies moving to California.
  • There are so many good books to read. I recommend The Kite Runner - very moving.
  • Old Filth by Jane Gardam. It is the first of a trilogy. A retired Judge reflects on his personal life. It is funny and quirky--an easy summer read.
  • Brian Greene - The Elegant Universe/The Fabric of the Cosmos/The Hidden Reality
  • A brief history of time.
  • Bill Davis by Steve Paikin.
  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I and II. J. K. Rowling.
  • Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Loss of One of the World's Greatest Fortunes by Pulitzer Prizewinner Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell Jr.
  • Terry Fallis: Best Made Plans and The High Road
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  • Anything by Jodi Picoult
  • Ooooh! I couldn't type fast enough for this one. I highly recommend local author (and Mac's own CFMU program director) Jamie Tennant's book Captain of Kinnoull Hill. A quirky and heartwarming tale with a bit of relatable soul searching. Also some fun nuggets for obscure music buffs and a quick read. I was sad to finish it.  Also, teen reads can be a great summer choice as they tend to be short and punchy. Check out HPL's teen 'Next Top Novel' selections. outhttpteens.hpl.ca/articles/hamiltons-next-top-novel. Diverse subject matters and all great in the concepts they explore.
  • A Husband's Secret or Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
  • The Nightingale or Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
  • The Churchills by Mary S. Lovell
  • Voltaire's Bastards by John Ralston Saul
  • Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance
  • 'The Woman in Cabin 10' by Ruth Ware. It was a bestseller of 2016. Mystery, suspense genre.
  • Any of Pauline Gedge's novels about ancient Egypt. They're wonderful stories that take you back to the sun drenched Nile River so long ago. The stories are sometimes dark, sometimes funny, but always full of life and energy.
  • Middlemarch
  • Guillaume Musso - La Fille De Brooklyn
  • I really recommend The forty rules of love By elif savak
  • Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
  • A lot of my friends like the book called My Cousin Rachel
  • Sounder by William H. Armstrong The Alchemist
  • The Girl in Cabin 10. Finished it a few weeks ago. Suspenseful with a twist ending but it didn't require a lot of brain power
  • The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
  • ll the President's Men by William Manchester A hopeful read from an entirely different political era!
  • The untethered soul By Michael Springer A must read for everyone!
  • Car Stories: Steering Your Way through a Wreckless Car-ma
  • Rock Solid -My Life in Baseball's Fast Lane by Tim Raines. Tim is being inducted as a Montreal Expo in the Baseball Hall of Fame July 30, 2017
  • Not a light summer read but An Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King is a book I've recently read that has taught me about the history between Canada and the USA and the First Nations. It's very eye opening about how we've so negatively affected the people were so first on this land and ways to repair these relations.
  • The Peter Principle by Laurence J. Peter. A quick easy read at the beach or cottage. Make sure you are not trapped in that unhealthy job!
  • The shades of magic series. it has nothing to do with summer... they're just really good books.
  • The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
  • The Magic of Thinking BIG by David J. Schwartz. I went through a bit of a rough patch right before summer hit and my brother recommended this book to me as we both suffer from anxiety - he said it really changed his outlook and how he approached different situations. I started reading it and honestly, it changed my perspective in a matter of seconds within the first page. Blown away, highly recommend it to bring a little lift to anyone's day.  
  • Station 11.
  • I recommend The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan. This book embodies female community during the civil war.
  • Lean In by Sheryl Sanderg - relevant for every season! I live for the days.
  • Still Alice
  • If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy check out the Urban Shaman series by CE Murphy. The series features an indigenous mechanic who finds out she's also a shaman with some powerful magic, and how she deals with that (and how much magic is in the world when you look for it).
  • I would recommend Shantaram. It's long but very interesting.
  • Anything by John Steinbeck. His books are always relevant
  • Biography of Bobby Orr...a story of humility and humanity of someone who embodies Canadian values...
  • Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese is by far one of the best books I've read. It's by a Canadian Indigenous writer. I believe it was the winning book one year at Canada Reads. His words are poetry. I laughed and cried and didn't want it to end. You'll LOVE it!
  • 'Weaponized Lies: How to Think Critically in the Post-Truth Era' by Daniel Levitin, previously published as 'A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age'. A primer on critical thinking
  • The Catcher in the Rye. It's an eye opener and makes you appreciate the smaller things in life.
  • I like to read Louise Penny books. They are well-written, but lighter reads.
  • I've actually just returned home from a book talk at the library by Ian Hamilton. His Ava Lee books are a perfect summer read and no need to read them in order.
  • The Secret Life of Doctors - Stephen Kaladeen
  • Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
  • African Mornings and Spanish Nights - the story of a Canadian woman abroad
  • Clan of the Cave Bear
  • The Hunt for the Red October
  • Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
  • Any book by Maeve Binchy
  • Summer Lease... by John Mortimer...
  • One? Summer must be short for you this year! For starters, all of the Foundation/Empire novels by Asimov.
  • The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
  • You must read the sci-fi classic Homecoming by Lawrence R Newitt. I wrote it so I know it's good.
  • Only one!?! Oh well anything by Adrian McKinty in his Detective Sean Duffy series. Set in Ulster during the 80s Duffy is a Catholic working for the RUC, then things get even more interesting. Enjoy!
  • Indian Horse by Ontario author Richard Wagamese.
  • Any major history covering the start of the Second World War comprehensive enough to cover the major belligerents and objective enough to have no axes to grind. By the end of the summer you will have a totally different view of a) history and b) one of the major world events of the 20th century. Read in small doses and by the end of the summer you will likely want more thoughtful history on more topics by more authors.
  • flowers for algernon
  • The Trouble with Billionaires Something light and yet informative.
  • My favourite popular science author is Mary Roach. She writes compelling non-fiction about digestion (Gulp), cadavers (Stiff), sex (Bonk), the afterlife (Spook) and war (Grunt). Plus an interesting book called Packing for Mars that describes many research efforts that were conducted to determine how things may happen on a trip to Mars; including what happens if the human body doesn't bathe for an unreasonably long time.
  • Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
  • The Man with a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes/ This was a hard question. I picked this book because it is the first on the series and the rest of the books would get you to September.
  • The current focus on Indigenous issues brought on due to the Canada 150 celebrations makes the need for all Canadians to read more Indigenous writers - both fiction and non-fiction. There is a wide variety of works - including The Break (Vermette) a CBC Canada Read's Finalist. This book is a hard read, for subject matter purposes, but is a honest read. There are many anthologies of works by Indigenous writers that give a different perspective on Canada 150.
  • We the Living by Ayn Rand
  • You Can Have A Dog When I'm Dead - by Paul Benedetti
  • I find summer gives me a chance to slow down a bit and reflect on life, my struggle for finding purpose and contentment lead me to John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. Living just to make ends meet ... there's got to be more! This book helped me through a journey on living with passion for a higher purpose, to make an eternal difference to those around
  • So many books to choose from. I'd say A Fine Balance, Anything by Linwood Barclay, by Lawrence Hill ...
  • Great Small Things by Jodi Piccoult
  • Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland
  • Nothing will ever beat reading the Harry Potter series as an annual summer read!
  • Any of the Miss Marple stories by Agatha Christie. Fine cozy mysteries in an idyllic time.
  • Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. A timeless puzzle and timely as well with the discovery of the remains of Richard III.
  • Well I have to recommend Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles. It is a seven book series that is absolutely mesmerizing! It is a historical family saga that starts in the early 1900's in the city of Bristol UK. but intertwined the story to London and New York City and Europe during the First World War. He creates very memorable characters that win your heart and span several decades as this wonderful story weaves a tale of intrigue, mystery, love, betrayal, and so much more. It is also a series of books that I couldn't put down. I read one after the other binging on these books like a series of shows on Netflix. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed this series. Be ready for an adventure! My hope is this story will some day be a mini tv series.
  • The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  • Any compendium of poems by e.e.cummings
  • Dream Hoarders. It's about how we rang the bell and pulled up the ladder behind us. Not if you are uncomfortable with an uncomfortable book
  • That's a tough one. For a business read, the Innovator's Dilemma. For just plain fun to read any of the Harry Potter stories - always fun to read more than once.
  • The Outlander series. I try to read the book before I watch shows or movies. And the Outlander series is one of my favourites. And season 3 of the show is supposed to start this fall so the summer is a great time to read the books.
  • The Gentleman in Moscow.
  • The Book of Negroes - couldn't put it down!
  • Canada by Mike Myers
  • If you enjoy a little history lesson and learning the origins of everyday items and want to read about it in a story setting, try At Home by Bill Bryson.
  • My answer would be 2 books, as you really have to read the 2 to get the proper perspective. The books are The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Queenie Hennessey. Two very good reads!
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nahisi Coates
  • The Nightingale
  • Black Box Thinking
  • The Martian. If you saw the movie you still need to read the book. The movie did not have the humour that is shown in the book. Even though it has a lot of science in it, it is a great read for everyone. No one I have recommended it to has said they didn't love it. It is a must read and a great story.
  • Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
  • Terry Fallis - The Best Laid Plans
  • The Twenty Three by Linwood Barclay
  • I would recommend One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, the author of Me Before You. It is well-written and highly entertaining...a perfect book to take to the beach!
  • The Girl on the Train
  • A dive back into the classics....perhaps some Jane Austen or Charles Dickins.
  • Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas gives great insights as to what really went on in Germany before and during WW2.
  • Life of Pi
  • Gripping story... I am Pilgrim. By Terry Hayes A thriller you won't be able to put down.
  • If you haven't read it yet, I'd suggest Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It's not a new book but it's a wonderful read.
  • The Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance
  • The life-changing magic of NOT GIVING A F*CK
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Man at the Helm by Nina Stibbe
  • The Third Wave written by Alvin Toffler/The speed of Thought written by Bill Gates
  • Masters of the Game- Robert Bauval
  • Gillian Flynn - Dark Places
  • A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving or Solomon Gursky Was Here by Mordecai Richler
  • In Divided Unity, Haudenosaunee Reclamation At Grand River by Theresa McCarthy
  • I know summer reading should be light and easy but that's not the way I roll. Naomi Klein's No is Not Enough will do.
  • The kite runner
  • The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester.
  • Order to Kill by Vince Flynn
  • I would recommend Lean In by Sheryl Sandburg. It's an easy read but very informative and challenging. As a husband and father of three grown daughters it contains messages for my whole family on how we support women towards leadership roles.
  • German Boy by Wolfgang Samuel. A fantastic read from the perspective of a young boy in post-war Germany.
  • The Orphan's Tale' --Pam Jenoff
  • The Girl in the Spider's Web
  • The Coil, written by Gayle Lynds-an International thriller about secret files includes blackmail, suspense and lots of world wide action.
  • All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
  • The Master Mariner by Nicholas Monsarrat. House in the Sky
  • The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante
  • 'Down To This' by Shaughnessey Bishop Stall
  • The Beautiful Mystery,m Louise Penny
  • Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
  • Tolstoy's War and Peace
  • Woefield Poultry Collective. Hilarious read!
  • Right now I am reading Tara Brach's Radical Acceptance. There is no better time to examine self compassion and mindfulness as the world becomes seemingly more turbulent.
  • I like to read to escape from the day-to-day. If you enjoy action/suspense and romance I would recommend the author M.L.Buchman.
  • Cleave. Everyone Brave is Forgiven
  • McMafia by Misha Glenny. Yes it's a long non-fiction book but it's full of colourful characters who happen to be real.
  • One of my favourite books is The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. While fictional, it includes a great deal of history about the apartheid era of South Africa and the difference that once person can make. I found the book to be inspiring and authentic and it got me interested on Courtenay's other books, most of which are also excellent.
  • FINDING GOBI
  • The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein, although almost any of his novels would be a good choice. His writing style always resonated with me. He would research his subject matter (where applicable) and make a legitimate attempt to stay true to (at the time) current scientific principles in order to make the far-fetched seem plausible.
  • A Man Called Ove by Frederik Bachman. A compelling, comical, dark, light story that is a joyful read. Makes a rainy long weekend fly by. (Netflix just posts the movie too!)
  • Daniel Silva - The English Spy
  • Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro
  • Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari
  • 4 books: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy
  • Any of The Cat Who.... mysteries
  • English Passengers by Matthew Kneale. A rip-roaring fun seafaring adventure - and I learned a fair amount about Tasmania along the way!
  • Dr. W.H. Drummond's Complete Poems
  • The Diviners. It is part of the Canadian Series by Margaret Laurence but you do not necessarily need to read the entire series to enjoy the book.
  • Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini
  • Definitely Ready Player One. Such a great (and quick) read!
  • Letters to a Young Scientist by Edward Wilson and Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. These are easy to read books describing what it's like to be a scientist in academia.
  • Game of Thrones! Winter is here!
  • The Way The Crow Flies-Ann Marie MacDonald
  • Pretty Little Lies
  • the count of monte cristo
  • The Dinner by Herman Koch
  • 'The Swerve: How the World Became Modern
  • ' by Stephen Greenblatt
  • Any books by Linwood Barclay
  • The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher.
  • The Pearl that Broke its Shell. Nadia Hashimi
  • Any John Grisham book.
  • This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
  • Beneath the Wake by Ross Pennie, a Hamilton author.
  • Elkhart Tolle- the Power of Now
  • The Orphan's Tale
  • Still Alice by Lisa Genova! It became a movie a few years back but it does not do justice to the book...highly recommend!! "
  • Toni Morrison Paradise, a true classic, not light reading.
  • I would highly recommend the collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Wilkie Collins, W. Somerset Maugham, D.H. Lawrence. They are classic authors. On the lighter side, Maeve Binchy and Diana Gabaldon are amazing authors.
  • Fifteen Dogs. Author Andre Alexis. Allegory, most interesting and highly emotional for me.
  • Still Alice by Lisa Genova
  • The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold
  • Flight of the Iguana: A Sidelong view of science and nature by David Quammen. It is a collection of short essays and stories about very interesting organisms in nature - all with a lovely balance of good science and literary perspective from Quammen. Chapters include giant earthworms, herbivorous piranha and bed bug reproduction. Fun, educating and quick reads!
  • The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream by Tyler Cowen
  • Anything by Maeve Binchy
  • As silly as it is, the Twilight series. A fun, light summer read. "
  • 1.All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
    2. The Boys in the Boat = Daniel James Brown
    3.They Left Us Everything - Plum Johnson
    4. Stranger Than We CanImagine = John Higgs
    5. Last Child in the Woods - Richard Louv
  • Zero to One - Peter Theil
  • Any book by Louise Penny ...our National treasure...just read Dead Cold ..also recommend her latest book ' A Great Reckoning'. Try to read her books in order. All delightful!
  • anything by Ann Patchett she is great
  • re-read classics like Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer
  • Well! It is easy enough to recommend one of the books that you might be reading but in this case, the content is relevant to what is happening in the world today. The book is called I Shall Bear Witness by Victor Klemperer (Relative of Otto Klemperer). Victor was a Jew in Dresden before World War II and, against the law, he kept a diary of things that he wished to note of what was going on in Germany as the Nazi Party was tightening its grip on Europe and the war. It is an exciting and depressing record of how people's rights are taken away from them in a regime that is run by fanatics and where there is no free press.
  • The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks. An oldie but goodie.
  • The Handmaid's Tale
  • Eat, Pray, Love
  • Einstein: His Life and Universe
  • Anything by Ken Follett
  • Best Laid Plans
  • Fastnet force 10
  • I recommend the The Circle of Ceridwen series by Octavia Randolph. It starts out in 871 AD, and Anglo Saxon England has just fallen to the Vikings. This saga is well written and well researched. Fans of the Outlander series by Diana Galbaldon will enjoy this as well those who are fans of The Last Kingdom on Netflix.
  • I would recommend something that completely transports you to a different place, where you can get lost in the story. I would suggest Stieg Larsson or Dan Brown or that book you already have but have been waiting for the 'right time'. Make sure you have at least a couple of hours to devote! I'm currently reading Natchez Burning by Greg Iles and it's a page-turner!
  • The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - have read it three times and it's almost time for a fourth!
  • 'The Summer We Got Free' by Mia McKenzie! An amazing book that you will not be able to put down. I read this a few summers ago
  • I've got a few recommendations here: a couple great Canadian reads both by Elizabeth Hay are: A Student of Weather and Late Nights on Air. Some other fantastic books fo summer are: The Summer Fletcher Greel Loved Me by Suzanne Kingsbury, The Godfather by Mario Puzzo, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham, The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (don't be fooled by the fact that it's a teen book, it will make you think).
  • A man called Ove
  • Fat For Fuel Joseph Mercola
  • Bounce by Matthew Syed. I am reading it now with a few others in my Master Mind group. It reveals some amazing insights on motivation and achievement that challenges conventional wisdom.
  • Ministry of Happiness by Arundati Roy
  • The Rosie Project
  • Too many to suggest but one that comes to mind is any of the Harry Potter books. Fun and entertaining.
  • Everything everything by Nicola Yoon
  • I have been awed by stories of strength and bravery during wartime. Irena's Children was such a story and a great read.
  • Any of the Jack Reacher books - mindlessly perfect for the beach
  • Outlander by Diana Galbaldon
  • The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
  • The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
  • The Women in the Castle: a novel by Jessica Shattock
  • The Signature of all Things Elizabeth Gilbert
  • ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE! Best book ever written.
  • Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
  • A is for Alibi ... the first of Sue Grafton's Alphabet Mysteries is a fun, quick read that will get you hooked. There are 26 of them, so if you're looking for a good casual series this one won't disappoint!
  • Everyone's probably already read it but The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a great reminder about how life is an adventure, which I think is something we all remember around summertime if ever.
  • Lonely Planet - You Only Live Once.
  • The Horse Whisperer
  • Starting with the Ava Lee book called The Water Rat of Wanchai by Ian Hamilton (Burlington Author) and read your way through the series_fantastic!
  • Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
    Description from Goodreads: Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
    Why I recommend this book: This book is a coming-of-age story that is very character-driven, so the plot is not dramatic or angsty like some YA novels tend to be. The story progresses slowly, but is never boring and I think it's because the writing is so captivating and easy to read. It's perfect for the summer because the book reads like a dream and fills you with warm fuzzy feelings that make it hard to put the book down.
  • An old fav: Pride and Prejudice
  • Lord of the Ring series - to me it is a long read (still haven't been able to finish, shame really) but incredibly interesting during some of the chapters. Any kind of Cooking Guide is also enjoyable with a glass of gin tonic.
  • "Toutes ces choses qu'on ne s'est pas dites by Marc Levy
  • I can never pick a favourite but recent books I've enjoyed include: Room by Emma Donoghue, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Lets Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
  • The Sell-Out and Hotels of North America. Those are the best books I've read so far this year.
  • I have always enjoyed detective mysteries for casual summer reading. For vintage reading it is hard to beat any of the Lew Archer novels by Ross Macdonald. For something current, I like the Cormoran Strike novels by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K.Rowling) and if likely to read more than one, it would be best to start with the first, The Cuckoo's Calling, as there is a continuing story line.
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid #9 ( a fun read for adults too!)
  • The Gods of Gotham - Lyndsay Faye
  • Shantaram. Makes me want to travel India- but not just the tourist spots, I want to see the real India!
  • For me it has to be a mystery and humour is good too. So I would recommend any of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. There are laugh out loud funny bits in all of them.
  • From 0 to 1
  • Somerset Maughm: On Razors Edge.
  • The Da Vinci Code
  • Currently Reading: The Seat of the Soul, How to Negotiate Anything
  • DON MILLS From Forests and Farms to Forces of Change. by Scott Kennedy
  • I'm assuming you meant novels but I recommend Scott Pilgrim vs the World comic series.
  • I must admit, I struggled with this one. Reading is so personal; I read a variety of novels, some for pleasure, some for knowledge. Author Jodi Picoult always has a moral or ethical issue in conflict with a person's values. David Baldacci if you want a secret service 'fix'. I finished a novel last week, A Train in Winter....a true story about how a group of women friendship helped them to survive the brutality and horrors of WWII. Reading is a powerful tool; it just has to be used.
  • The Bounty of Illusionist, Renata Lumsden.     A true story of the love between a race horse and her owner.
  • Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League. This book is an easy read but gave me a perspective on Civil Rights in the Amer. South and the role of black women that I was unaware of.
  • The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy 4 book 'trilogy'. A classic escape; towel is necessary.
  • The Girl in Cabin 10
  • I recommend any of the Irish Country stories by Patrick Taylor. They are set in Northern Ireland and are funny, yet you learn a little bit as you read them. You can read them in any order but the first one is Irish Country Doctor.
  • 'Summer Sisters' by Judy Blume...it's light, bright and fun, the way a summer read should be!
  • Anything by Terry Pratchett.
  • Men without women by Haruki Murakami
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak!
  • Ender's Game is my all time favourite book ever. For what it lacks in description, it makes up for in character development of Ender. He is probably the saddest character I know in the most beautiful way possible.
  • I know this might not be everyone's favourite topic
  • but I work in Finance and will suggest a book I quite like. I am an avid follower of some outspoken and famous hedge fund managers and one in particular, Howard Marks, wrote a book called The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor and I think it's a book everyone should read. He takes a complex subject and simplifies it into a very easy read.
  • The Best Kind of People - Zoe Whittall
  • The girl who came home - Hazel Gaynor
  • The Time Traveler's Wife
  • Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
  • Five Smooth Stones
  • It's summer time --so any of the books by Louise Penny.They are entertaining, relaxing and take you out of the work world.One of my favourites is How the Light Gets In.
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • The entire Harry Potter series since summer is long enough to read it and participate in some Quidditch matches. ;-)
  • For summer reading I love something that is relaxing and does not require a whole lot of effort. I recommend any of Nora Roberts book for a light easy read. If yo want smething a little more serious I, Roger Williams by Mary Lee Settle is a good read.
  • The next book in the Game of Thrones series - if it ever gets published!!! Get to work, George R.R. Martin!
  • Any book by Lisa Genovese - Left Neglected, Still Alice etc. Thought provoking, intelligent, sensitive, and understanding of family dynamics and human nature
  • While i attended Mac, i was enrolled in a lot of Brit Lit courses. So now i am catching up with reading other classics, mostly America Classics. I would highly recommend The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. This is the story of the Joad family migrating from Oklahoma to California. i really empathized with many of the characters in this novel as they had hopes for a bright future far from their homes. Migrating for them was not always easy as searching for jobs and providing the necessities of life was a daily struggle. I felt like i was with them every bit of the way in their journey from truck breakdowns and through the happy and sad times. The women are very inspirational and very resilient and keep the men going . The characterization and the language the author uses is very authentic and pulls you in. You feel like you truly have gone back in time. A great read, i still want to travel with the Joad family and like all great books was sad when i came to the last page. Happy Reading, Happy summer!
  • I'm all about non-fiction, so I'd recommend Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way we Make Things by Michael Braungart and William McDonough. An interesting read on how we as a society can redesign products we use to make them easier to recycle.
  • I recommend Beartown by Fredrick Blackman. An excellent read with many nuggets of wisdom.
  • Bruce Springstein autobiography
  • All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
  • Lila by Marilynne Robinson
  • Detective stories, all with intricate plots, by:
    John Hart (gritty atmosphere, believable and varied characters)
    James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series (descriptions that, in a line or two, evoke the American south, particularly Nawlins, and characters equally evocative)
    Elizabeth George's Detective Linley series (more of a British mystery feel; start with the earliest you can find, and follow the lives of the main characters)
  • Siddhartha- Hermann Hesse

See you next week for more answers!

  

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