The Last of the Summer Reads

There are still several weeks of summer left, despite the school supplies appearing in the aisles of every store (go away, school supplies!). And that means you still have time to read at least one more “beach read” before September arrives. Here’s a list of some that I recommend.

Rafael Sabatini, “Scaramouche”
Published in 1921, and set in the time of the French revolution, this is a ripping good yarn that features sword fights, revolutionaries, romance, sword fights, lawyers, actors, evil counts, sword fights, and even some history – if you like that kind of thing.

Ray Bradbury, “Dandelion Wine”
A coming-of-age story of 12-year old Tom, told with poetic nostalgic that – with its dark undercurrent – resists being too sweet. Appropriate for adolescents, too, though they might not appreciate the loose structure to this novel (each chapter is more like a separate short story). Magical and compelling.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”
Maybe you read it in high school, maybe you didn’t but feel you should have. Well, what are you waiting for? For being a “classic”, it is a quick read – and always feels like a summer book to me. Jay Gatsby, mysterious millionaire, reconnects with the woman who broke his heart when he was a young man. Hilarity ensues. Okay, I made up the “hilarity” part – but things do ensue, and they’re worth reading. A classic for those who don’t like to read them.

Elizabeth Kostova, “The Historian”
It’s historical fiction – AND it’s a vampire book, for grown-ups. At 720 pages, it’s a chunker – but you still have some weeks left, remember? Do your wrists a favor and get the paperback.