Summer time…and the reading is easy (2011)

Summer time…and the reading is easy (2011)

Memorial Day is the start of the summer movie blockbuster season (which I cover in my other blog, The Measured Circle).  I figured it might be fun to look at some of the blockbuster books coming for the Kindle this summer.

I have recently decided to change my policy, and I will not list specific books that block text-to-speech access (as opposed to all books from a publisher that blocks text-to-speech access on any of their titles).

Outside of that caveat, I’m going to list some books I expect to be bestsellers (and that I found interesting) for Kindle books being released in June through August 2011.

A few other things first, though.  Since I’m looking at popular pre-orders, those are going to tend to be traditional publishers.  I don’t buy a whole lot of those any more, but we do get some.  Independents may give you more book for your buck.  Also, many of these are over $9.99, and I know some folks don’t want to spend that.  Up to you.  Finally, books that are sold under the Agency Model don’t have the pre-order price guarantee…but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a pre-order Kindle book price being raised.  Books on wish lists, yes, and I have heard about people being told the price was going up…so they could cancel the order, if they wanted.

I’m not big on pre-ordering, myself, but I understand the fun of just having the book appear…which is even more fun if you’ve forgotten you ordered it.  🙂

June 2

The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture
by David Mamet

Mamet looks at politics…and regardless of what you think about politics, he can write

June 6

The Anatomy of Influence: Literature as a Way of Life
by Harold Bloom

Literary criticism…that says Summer. 🙂

June 7

Mr. Monk on the Couch
by Lee Goldberg

If you are still feeling the loss of Monk, here’s a pick-me-up (and Monk was particularly good at picking things up…non-emotional things, that is). Goldberg wrote episodes of the series and has written several official novels based on the series. Kick back and relax on the beach…you can keep your shirt buttoned all the way up. 😉

Hit List
by Laurell K. Hamilton

This is the latest book in the Anita Hill, Vampire Hunter series.

State of Wonder
by Ann Patchett

I haven’t read anything by Patchett, but I have been on (a tributary to) the Amazon, which is where at least part of this story takes place.  It sounds interesting.

June 21

Smokin’ Seventeen: A Stephanie Plum Novel
by Janet Evanovich

I never read my first Stephanie Plum until after I had my Kindle.  My Significant Other (SO) had read them, but had always passed them on to a sibling.  Since we could both read them at the same time for one download price on the Kindle, I figured, “Why not?”  I know some fans say the earlier books are better, but I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read.  For those of you who don’t know, this is a series of humorous mysteries starring a bounty hunter.  Don’t picture Dog, Steve McQueen…or Boba Fett.  😉  Stephanie barely gets by, with a little (or a lot, actually) of help from her friends.  The first movie is scheduled to be released on January 27 of next year, starring Katherine Heigl as Stephanie, Sherri Shepherd as Lula, Daniel Sunjata as Ranger, and Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur.

June 28

Heart of Evil
by Heather Graham

This is not the actor, but a well-known romance/horror novelist (who also writes under Shannon Drake and Heather Graham Pozzessere). This one involves a bayou plantation and paranormal investigators.

Dragon’s Time: Dragonriders of Pern
by Anne McCaffrey, Todd McCaffrey

The first book in this series appeared (as a book) in 1968, and many readers have fond memories of Pern. A movie is now in development for 2013, but other movies (Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon) were likely inspired in part by it. This isn’t just “dragon-riding…whee!”…there’s a more complex society happening here.

July 5

Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy
Short story anthology, edited by Ellen Datlow

Authors contributing new stories include Jim Butcher (yes, it’s Harry Dresden), Patricia Briggs, Melissa Marr, Holly Black, and more.

July 12

Forever
by Maggie Stiefvater

Might appeal to Twilight fans…

A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Five
by George R.R. Martin

Martin’s epic fantasy series started with A Game of Thrones (which is now a successful series on HBO).

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog Named Trixie
by Dean Koontz

I love books about animals (Gerald Durrell is still one of my favorites), and it can be good when a fiction writer uses that natural empathy to tell us more about our relationships with them.

July 26

Ghost Story: A Novel of the Dresden Files
by Jim Butcher

The TV series has come and gone on this one. While Dresden is a wizard, the feel of this is much more a PI (Private Investigator) series.

It Looked Different on the Model: Epic Tales of Impending Shame and Infamy
by Laurie Notaro

If you want to laugh…and who doesn’t?

August 2

Home Improvement: Undead Edition
by Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Heather Graham, Toni L.P. Kelner, and more

Short stories with a home improvement/paranormal theme…including a new Sookie Stackhouse story.

August 9

Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Ascension
by Christie Golden

August 23

The Power of Six
by PIttacus Lore

The movie of I Am Number Four wasn’t the hit many people expected, but book series aren’t killed by their adaptations.

The Measure of the Magic: Legends of Shannara
by Terry Brooks

Tragic Toppings: A Donut Shop Mystery
by Jessica Beck

A donut shop mystery? I guess that’s when you want to get to the bottom of the “hole” thing. 😉

Are there other summer books for which you are especially waiting?  Feel free to let me (and my readers) know.

This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the I Love My Kindle blog.