Stephen King lists his 7 recommended books for summer reading

 

Summer is approaching faster than an economic meltdown in California -- it's time for summer reading book lists! Stephen King kicks off the annual bookish tradition in his Entertainment Weekly column with these 7 picks:

1. Shatter by Michael Robothan

The villian of this novel is, as Mr. King describes him, "so persuasive he's able to talk his victims into killing themselves." That's pretty darn persuasive. The book's climax involves Persuasive Villain versus Joe O'Loughlin, psychologist, desperately trying to rescue his wife and child.

2. Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson

Now, this is my kind of summer tome: long, well-written, complex, funny, and with two equally hefty sequels so that I don't have to fret about finishing the story when it's still 103 degrees outside. "Swashbuckling pirates with candles in their beards, a smart and beautiful young woman liberated from slavery, kinky sex, sword fights, double-dealing...and a stirring account of how rational scientific thought was born" is how Mr. King describes Quicksilver.

3. The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer

Mr. King says this is "the best spy novel I've ever read that wasn't written by John le Carre." That's all the recommendation I need. The story focuses on CIA floater agent Milo Weaver tracking down a hired killer.

4. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

I'm a bit puzzled by this choice;  I'm all for Charles Dickens, just at any time of the year EXCEPT for summer. Regardless of what Dickens tome I read, I invariably have visions of gloomy, fog-filled London streets. However, Mr. King is correct in saying that "Little Dorrit is as easy to read as any best-seller, and more rewarding than most."

 

5. Drood by Dan Simmons

Mr. King calls Drood a "story of Egyptian cults, brain-burrowing beetles, life-sucking vampires, and an underground city beneath London...or is it?" The main character of the story is  Wilkie Collins, author of The Moonstone (one of my all-time favorite books, and the first book I ever stayed up all night to finish). I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

6. Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

A hard-boiled detective novel...narrated by the detective's dog, Chet. Mr. King calls it "canine noir" and promises that lovers of Marley and Me and The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will find it a winner.

7. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

I'll have to agree to disagree with Mr. King on this one: the last thing I want to sit around reading in the backyard with a gin and tonic in hand is a book about young children with dread diseases, marriages falling apart, and uncomfortable moral dilemmas. However, if that's your sort of lazy, sunny day tome, you'll find plenty of all three here. Take a look at the Book Examiner review of Handle With Care here.

How about your own summer reading plans? I've got a list about 3 feet long. Tell us what your books of choice will be this summer in the comments below or email your suggestions to michellekerns@surewest.net.