Summer Books 2009

I am reading FDR by Jean Edward Smith. It's a big ol book, 880 pages. Not exactly a light summer read. I hope to learn about FDR's personal life as well as his life as President.

I'm currently reading Rebecca Rule's "The Best Revenge," a collection of short stories, and will next read Merle Drown's biography of William W. Treat, "In the Arena." Incidentally - both novelists plus the subject of the biography all hail from New Hampshire!

Jody Picoult's new book a great read, even tho a bit on the heavy side. Poses moral dilemnas, limns characters pretty well. Can't remember the name of it but is a legal story re; tort cases.

There are two NHPR polls currently being taken and my answer happens to apply to both!
I am one of the many laidoff people now getting by on unemployment. So, I am reading everything I can find (online mostly) about do-it-yourself home energy. Specifically, hydro-electric, solar-electric, solar-thermal, and even biogas production. I have more time than money right now and there are tons of spare parts available at my local recycling center. My husband does not think this is a cost-effective use of my time, but the long-term gain could be VERY "worth it."

I am continuing to devour anything I can find by Alexander McCall Smith. Having read all of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the 44 Scotland Street series, Dr. Professor Von Igelfeld (Portuguese irregular verbs) series, I am now moving onto my third Isabel Dalhousie novel, and also reading from his short stories. McCall Smith's writing style makes these books addictive!

"Five Finger Fiction" by NH's own Brooks Sigler is a terrific beach read with hot pink flair. And "The Grey Ghost" hit #3 on the Indie Next list, Dan and Mike can tell you more about what that is...but the kids are eating up this Scottish tale. Can't wait to listen to the show!

Hi there - this is Brady, and here you'll find all the recommendations made by callers and our guests during today's Summer Books show. For more, be sure to visit Dan and Michael's summer reading list; you can also share your favorite summer reads by posting a comment below!

Melissa in Wilmot asked about
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson, which our booksellers mentioned; she said she couldn't put it down. Michael said another book in the series would be published in English in July.

Betsy from Center Harbor called to recommend "Handle With Care" by Jodi Picoult, which she described as "unbelievably moving" and a "good look at life." Michael recommended Maine author Wes McNair's upcoming poetry book. Dan recommended The Last Day by James Landis and The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown as other good upcoming books by New Hampshire authors.

Victor from Raymond called in to suggest Karen Armstrong's "A History of God," a book from 1994 which he said was "amazing" even just through the third chapter.

Roger in Concord recommended "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall as a fun book but one that could change your life. Dan agreed - it's on his summer reading list too. Michael recommended another good memoir, "Losing Mum and Pup" by Christopher Buckley.

We got an e-mail from Toadstool Bookshops - they also suggested "Born To Run," as well as "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein and "The Pig Did It" by Joseph Caldwell.

(During our talk about the car raffle, reporter Amy Quinton added that she's been meaning to read Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.")

Judy in Meredith brought up "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. She said it was an "absolutely delightful book." Dan said it's a book club favorite as well. Laura mentioned a trend of writing about food and the food supply, such as "Eat My Globe" by Simon Majumdar, "Field Days" Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food"

Sheila in Concord recommended three books by contemporary Indian authors: "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga, "The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai and "Animal's People" by Indra Sinha. Michael added Arundhati Roy and Anita Desai as other good authors with an international flavor; Dan noted that his store has a new "read the world" book display, including female authors in Africa. Laura also brought up "Reading Lolita in Tehran", which Dan said would be good to re-read given the news coming from Iran.

Charlotte in Woodstock, Vermont called in with "The Girl I Left Behind" by Judith Nies, which she called a fascinating memoir.

Tim in Kensington called to say he lived close to Dan's shop in Exeter, and he recommended "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.

For kids, members of the Public Insight Network suggested "The Grey Ghost" by Julie Hahnke. Dan and Michael had several recommendations outside of their summer lists:
"Cat in the Clouds" by Eric Pinder and T.B.R. Walsh has a New Hampshire tie-in, and they thought "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed" by Mo Willems was very funny and clever.

Thanks for listening! Keep the discussion going by adding your own summer reading recommendations below.

I just finished Chris Cleave's books, Little Bee and Incendary, both books I highly recommend.

PS I'm answering the phones for the Car Raffle at the moment!

As an independant bookseller hearing the comment that bookselling is "recession proof" makes me nervous...I'd suggest we are "recession resistant" and it will take all of continuing to do what we do and doing it well (as your guests are certainly doing) to see us through in a healthy manner!
That being said, I'd add another voice to the recommendation of THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett - a wonderful story of what most of us know little about: the black maid culture of 1963 Mississippi - a powerful and dignified story.
I'd also add the name of a lesser known thriller writer for great vacation reading: Robert Dugoni.

After reading Stieg Larsson's "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" which was great, I am anxiously looking forward to the release of "The Girl Who Played With Fire" the second novel in a series of three which is being released in July.

I really enjoyed the show this morning. Saddly I was not able to listen all the way through. But I am going to be picking up some of the books talked about and I am checking out the lists as well, as I am due with our first child any day now I will be in need of some good books to escape into (to relax). Thanks!
So glad I donated to NHPR.
Be Well

I'm reading or have just completed a few books:

• "Fifth Business" (by Robertson Davies): Amazing storytelling by one of Canada's best authors (part of the Deptford Trilogy)
• "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (Betty Smith)
• "The Snow Leopard" (Peter Matthiessen): Beautiful zen adventure through Nepal

I'd reccomend the following books to history lovers:
• "The Guns of August" (Barbara Tuchman): riveting account of the first month of WWI; also the book that saved the world from nuclear holocaust during the Cuban Missile Crisis
• "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" (Edmund Morris): best biography I've ever read
• "King Leopold's Ghost" (Adam Hochschild): an account of the 19th century conquest of the Congo and the killing of 10 million people; striking parallels to what's happening in Congo today