Summer reads 2014 - which books will you be packing this year?

[RachelMumsnet]

There's nothing finer than selecting books to take on holiday - whether you're downloading on to your kindle, choosing books you've never had chance to read from your bookshelves or diving into WH Smiths at the airport. It's that time of year and we've put together our selection of this summer's best books for you to peruse before making your selection. Let us know what you think of our selection and if you think we've missed a great book out, share it on this thread.

[Southeastdweller]

I think it's an excellent list, not too obvious. and I agree that there's a good mix of literary and light-reads. I hate the term "women's books" and actually cote 12 of the 20 books are told from women's perspectives (if that's how you define "women's books"). I'm male and all the books look appealing, apart from A Room with a View, which I found interminable and dull.

My must-reads for the summer include:

Her - Harriet Lane
Lolita - Vladimir Nabakov
The Cuckoo's Calling - 'Robert Galbraith'
Tigers in Red Weather - Liza Klaussmann
How to Build a Girl - Caitlin Moran

I'm surprised you didn't include Elizabeth is Missing, based on critical response and content, and I think Love, Nina would be popular here, too. I can highly recommend A Curious Career (Lynn Barber) as a light and entertaining holiday read.

[CoteDAzur]

No, that's not how I define "women's books". There is also the books about families, and those described as:

• Touchingly emotional
  
• touchingly thought-provoking
  
• Compassionate... hopes, lies, cruelties and betrayals – but also love
  
• this summer's steamy read... just dripping with passion
  
• surprising, evocative and wildly entertaining
  
• Love! Truth! Beauty! A chance encounter, an impulsive kiss...
  
• From music and fashion to family and feminism...
  
• (amongst the betrayal and sadness) she also discovers female friendship, loyalty and love...
  

.. none of which I have any interest in reading.

Fascinating that you find these "appealing", though. Is it the one that is dripping with passion or the "touchingly emotional" one that you find more appealing?

[Southeastdweller]

Are those quotes from Amazon? If so then I personally take no notice of those P.R blurbs...what about you?

[CoteDAzur]

Those are quotes from MN's Summer Reads 2014 link in the OP. The one you presumably read before you declared that all those books look appealing to you

[Cheboludo]

Cote The quote "touchingly thought-provoking" is from the description of What a Carve Up. I don't regard it as a light read although it is darkly funny and I definitely don't think it is only of interest to women even though it is about a family.

I think this description from the Guardian book club is much more accurate than the pull quote above.

Jonathan Coe talks to John Mullan about What a Carve Up!, his brilliant gothic satire on 1980s Britain. Michael Pearce, a reclusive novelist, is commissioned to write the biography of the wealthy, and utterly corrupt, Winshaw family. An influential clan at the heart of the British establishment, their reach extends into all areas of public life, from arms dealing, politics and banking, to the popular media and factory farming. During his research Michael realizes they have cast a blight on his life, as they have on the country. In a final, dramatic showdown at the Winshaw's decrepit country estate, a murderous maniac roams the house and the scene is set for their comeuppance…

[Southeastdweller]

Sorry, you're quite right, cote and I didn't read most of the blurbs on here, as I knew about most of the books already.

[hackmum]

SleepyFlo: I have read These is my words! Read it years ago on the recommendation of a friend. Cracking good read, if I may say so.

Actually struggling with a choice of holiday reading. I normally have half a dozen books on my list, but it's suddenly blank. Beyond How to build a girl, there isn't anything I'm desperate to read until the new David Mitchell/Sarah Waters/Ian McEwans come out in the autumn.

[hltuite]

If you are after nothing to serious then a nice read that will make you chuckle is The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Fab book couldn't put it down!

[AnnaMcK]

Having just come back from holiday, I have two books to recommend - great in different ways. First, Natalie Meg Evans' Dress Thief www.amazon.co.uk/The-Dress-Thief-Natalie-Evans/dp/1848665881?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 This is a debut novel, and it is first class. It is set in 1937, Paris, in the world of haute couture - a beautiful woman on the cover, and you might think, "girly, frivolous" - not so. It's central character is feisty and determined. It is set against a background of impending upheaval, and as well as being a well-written, well-plotted page turner, it is superbly researched. For once, I didn't feel that history had been somehow manipulated to fit the dictates of a modern day novel: I often feel slightly cheated by historical fiction, even tainted, but this felt real. I think it deserves success.
My other recommendation is non fiction, and satisfying in a different way. It is Julian Spalding's "Best Art you have never seen" www.amazon.co.uk/The-Best-Youve-Never-Seen/dp/1848362714/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406465295&sr=8-1&keywords=best%20art%20never%20seen%20spalding&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21. I admit, this is a bit heavy for a suitcase.. but.. it is really interesting and what makes it great as a holiday book is that each chosen piece of art (and there is some moving stuff) is accompanied by a short piece of text, so that you can pick it up and put it down, having read something interesting and often inspiring. The author says, "art lights up the place where it is.. glows in your mind..makes you more alive.. it is this that I hunt for". So it is mind-opening, rather than didactic.

[Scarletskies]

I personally find it deeply sad that women would determine the worth of a book based on whether or not a man would read and enjoy it.

I'm a woman. I enjoy all kinds of books. It would not occur to me to think of whether any book I'd read was a 'woman' or a 'man''s book.

[NataliaMumsnet]

Hello, hope you're all enjoying the sun After reading your comments we've updated our Summer Reads page to include some more fantastic titles.

Please let us know your thoughts and don't forget to share your Summer Reading list with us on this thread.

Happy summer one and all x

[aoife24]

I love Evie Wyld, very intense, quite grim but ultimately rewarding.

[Southeastdweller]

Love the updated list. Starting 'We Are All Completely...' this weekend and thanks for indirectly reminding me about Marriage Material.

[PittTheYounger]

so the night guest was weird - ok but unremarkable

signature was ACE but too long at end

[PittTheYounger]

start marriage material before we are all completeley as the latter is SHIT and the former is ACES

[ktlq]

Hello. I like the sound of Red Love on your list. I read Stasiland by Anna Funder about life behind the Berlin Wall and if you're interested in learning about post-WW2 history, this is a must. So there's my non-fluffy recommendation!

Meanwhile, I just read Cuckoo's Calling by J K Rowling under her Pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Someone gave it to me. I'm lot a fan of hers but I stuck with it & would be interested to know what others thought. Detective genre. Not sure I'll try her other one (Silkworm) but it was an easy enough read for the beach. That's it. Next up Jo Jo Moyes One Plus One. Then maybe AM Homes 'This Book Will Save Your Life'. I loved the last one you put us on to 'May We Be Forgiven' so thought I'd try her earlier novel.

Happy reading!