Question of the Week
Question of the Week #76: Summer Literary Romance
June 21 is officially the first day of summer, so it seemed a perfect week to borrow a question first asked over at The New York Times.
"Summer reading, for all its suggestion of soft breezes and cheap thrills, can be an awfully fraught proposition. Sometimes you turn down the lights at the beach house or lakeside cabin only to discover that the genteel Italian travelogue or much-hyped cyber-thriller you’ve brought along is rather dull company."
Have you ever had an unexpected literary summer fling?
Replies (11)
Posted by
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I have not because I never take a new book on holiday with me.
I cannot do a holiday where I sit by a pool or on the beach all day. I would be bored by lunchtime of the first day. I prefer to see the sights and visit museums and end up with very little time to read.
As a result I always take with me a book I have started so that I can dip into it more easily when I do have some down time.Jun 22, 2010 10:04 am
by cresswga -
My absolute favourite type of vacation is one on a beach with a huge stack of books. I can easily lounge all day by the beach or pool reading away, day after day. My idea of heaven!
A couple years ago my husband and I went to the Mayan Riviera for 16 days and the stack of books I brought lasted me only a week. I ended up going through several books that were in the hotel's book swap area that I would not normally have read (ie crime thrillers) and really enjoyed them.
However, this summer I am prepared. I will be bringing my Sony e-Reader with me, chock full of more books than I could possibly read in a week!Jun 22, 2010 10:38 am
by Lolabean -
I love biographies, so I've had summer flings with such diverse people as Barbara Walters (Audition), Ozzy Osbourne (I Am Ozzy), Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis), Gay Talese (Unto the Sons), and right now, Jean Kwok (Girl in Translation), and Lisa See (On Gold Mountain, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and Shanghi Girls). All great reads, by the way!
Jun 22, 2010 4:15 pm
by moengey -
I had to fly on a summer trip and a friend handed my a used book...The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks....and that has become my author of choice for flights...easy to read, captivating and always enough usually for the flights to and fro. I plan to read his latest on my next trip.
Jun 22, 2010 4:43 pm
by michecancer -
My literary flings for the summer turn into affairs when the book becomes unexpectedly compelling such as the year I picked-up Geraldine Brooks wonderful work: Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women.
Jun 23, 2010 12:30 pm
by dreamdust -
To dreamdust: Wow! You just described the type of book I think I'd enjoy reading. I've put it on my "To Read" list. Thanks, you just sold a book!
by moengey -
There is a play based on the Islamic proverb-nine parts of desire also. I'm seeing it this weekend, but I hear its quite good. Geraldine Brooks went to the play intending to sue because of the title (from her title) but was so impressed with the play she didn't sue.
by dreamdust -
I always enjoy a play/movie/show/discussion/review after I've read a great book. It adds a new dimension and returns you to that "zone" you were in while reading the story. And you don't have to feel so sad about coming to the end of the book.
by moengey -
It sounds like you are having a true unexpected literary summer fling! Enjoy the show.
by moengey -
I too began an affair when I picked up "People of the Wolf" by W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear. I thought it would be another slightly corny historical fiction novel, but it was really captivating and I've since been working my way through the series.
Jun 28, 2010 9:21 am
by Aadarshini27 -
had to fly on a summer trip and a friend handed my a used book...The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks....and that has become my author of choice for flights...easy to read, captivating and always enough...
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