Is there going to be a July book of the month soon?

[Cocodrillo]

Am all excited, please say yes.

[TillyBookClub]

Well, we were thinking of putting forward a few summery suggestions and then reconvening in September to chat about the winner - thought most people would be on holiday during Jul/Aug etc so not around for chat nights.

Just putting together a selection now and will post page next week. Any type of thing you particularly fancy?

[Cocodrillo]

How about summer reads?

I've seen the Richard and Judy list, and read one of them - The Outcast by Sadie Jones.

I can't stop raving about that book, it's wonderful, but it's not my idea of a 'summer read' in that it is an incredibly sad book, and when I finished it I felt emotionally wrung out.

So, how about "literary fiction" that is also light-hearted and fun?

I asked for some suggestions before my holidays (now sadly long gone) on this thread (under a different name!).

[lalaa]

Yes, please please please can we have a selection of books that are funny/happy? We seem to have a plethora of books that, whilst moving and excellent, I have found quite depressing really.

Have had The Kite Runner sitting on my kitchen worktop for months. Am avoiding it on the advice of everyone I know who has read it!

[Cocodrillo]

sorry Tilly, I know you've got your hands full

[TillyBookClub]

Sorry everyone, am doing it now, have been slightly struggling to find happy books ( I agree, i think we want something feelgood for the summer nights). But I think I'm almost there. Promise I'll have it up by mid next week.

[Cocodrillo]

That Alan Bennett one about the Queen is light but intelligent...

[TillyBookClub]

Good thinking. Have wanted to read that for ages.
I am getting there with the page, sorry about the delay (have someone helping me next week which will mean I can get a bit of time at my computer away from the two nippers)

[lisagee]

Hi everyone

Sorry for muscling in like this, never having posted here before, but if you're looking for something summery, how about Jane Harris's The Observations or Xiaolu Guo's A Concise Chinese English Dictionary for Lovers?

Both shortlisted for last year's Orange Prize (must declare an interest: I edit the Prize website). And from this year's longlist, Deborah Moggach's In the Dark is fantastic: full of humour and surprises? it's also concise?

Hope that's helpful rather than interfering!

Lisa

[TillyBookClub]

Lisa, thank you - I am still casting about for inspiration for July and this is great. Enjoyed The Observations, and heard lots of good things about Guo.

July page on its way. Promise.

[MamaKaty]

I'm also very excited, having just stumbled across the mumsnet bookclub.