Extending the Summer with Reading Lists

The only thing better than reading books during the summer is reading the summer/beach reading lists and articles. And I particularly enjoy the British ones. Genevieve Fox, on Telegraph.co.uk, presents some considerations beyond the strictly literary in her entertaining article It’s the summer holidays, but what on earth should you read? For instance, think about whether the books you’re packing are going to put you over airline weight limits. One of her interviewees says he will take both a hardback and paperback copy of the same Nick Hornby book: the former for his hotel room and the latter for the messier beach. The 50 Best Summer Reads ran on independent.co.uk in June. Their books were chosen by a five person panel including an author, editor, BBC presenter and two buyers from large British booksellers. The list unfolds as a picture gallery of covers, with short descriptions and panelist quotes. To learn what UK newspaper critics are reading this summer, check out the survey Booktrust’s 2009 summer reading roundup, and the related guardian.co.uk article Sarah Waters tops critics’ summer reading chart. On July 5th, the newspaper published Text on the beach – the 50 best summer reads ever.  The Guardian made a number of its own recommendations, but also included entries from luminaries of the British arts world, including the ubiquitous Alain de Botton, who recommends The Death of Ivan Illich, by Leo Tolstoy. Why should you read this on vacation? “Because reminders of mortality tend to accentuate pleasure,” de Botton reasons. I was happy to see that one of my choices for summer reading (just started), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by the late Stieg Larsson, was recommended by director Richard Eyre, who writes: “It’s an intelligent thriller that never disappoints: complex plot, inspired sleuthing, social comment, violence, sex and almost credible characters.”