Top Ten Tuesdays! Top Ten Summer To Be Read

Here is another Top Ten Tuesday topic, through The Broke and the Bookish. This week is Top Ten Summer To Be Read List.

In creating my Summer To Be Read List, I am struck by a couple of thoughts. First, wow. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. Second, huh. I read a lot of series…and spend most of my time in breathless anticipation of the next installment. Finally, and most disturbingly…there are 36 books in J.D. Robb’s In Death series…and I’ve read every one. That is probably too much sci-fi romance for anyone’s sanity. 

So, what am I looking forward to this summer?  Well, in…

 

May:

Tempest Reborn by Nicole Peeler came out May 28^th.  This is the 6^th book in the Jane True series. I started reading this series (1^st book Tempest Rising) because they had awesome covers, different than the average book currently on the market. The cover caught me… story kept me coming back for more. I am currently reading Tempest Reborn; it is very good, and since all indications are that this is the last one in the series, I am dreading its end…(but only because I don’t want to say goodbye to Jane and her fae and half-fae entourage). Oh…and this one has dragons in it…Yeah!

June:

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo came out June 4, 2013. This book is the second in the Grisha series. I loved Leigh Bardugo’s debut book Shadow and Bone, which has magic, friendship, and betrayal. I even had my mom read it. She kept saying “When is the second one coming out? Has Bardugo written anything else we can read?” Now I can say the second in the series is out. She will be overjoyed.

Gameboard of the Gods byRichelle Mead came out on June 4^th. This is the first book in a new series called The Age of X series. I have read both adult and young adult books by Richelle Mead, and I have enjoyed them all – vampires, vampire hunters, succubi, alchemists, etc. Each series is distinct and entertaining. So, of course I am planning to read her new dystopian novel about religious extremists and murder. It sounds fun.    

July:

Carniepunk.  Due out July 23, 2013.  Some of my favorite writers have gotten together to write a collection of Fantastic short stories about carnivals and the people who love them. I wait with baited breath for stories by some of these authors. Just to get a small taste of stories written by Rachel Caine, Jennifer Estep, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Nicole Peeler, Rob Thurman, Jaye Wells, and others makes my tiny heart go pitter-patter.

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews is due out July 30^th.  This is the sixth book in the Kate Daniels series. This is the series I recommend to anyone who will listen to me. Ilona Andrews’ (a husband and wife writing team) first book Magic Bites is good. Their second book Magic Burns is better… after that the series just becomes addicting. So, no one talk to me on July 30^th. I have plans to satiate my end-of-the-world, witch, shape-shifter, sword-swinging, scary vampire book craving.

August:

Undead and Unsure by MaryJanice Davidson (the 11th book in the Undead / Queen Betsy series) is due out on August 6^th. Vampires, shoe-crazed ditzy vampire queens, werewolves, the Devil, and the Antichrist (who just happens to be the Vampire Queen’s half-sister) have all made appearances in previous books in this series. How can anyone resist the irreverent humor that abounds in a series whose first book was titled Undead and Unwed ? This one is an automatic buy for me.

Omens by Kelley Armstrong is due out August 20th. This is the first book in a new series by this extremely popular urban fantasy author. I have devoured Armstrong’s adult and young adult novels and was devastated when both of her series ended. I am very excited to start anew with her Gainsville series featuring a young woman who learns that her wealthy parents adopted her after her biological parents were convicted of being serial killers. I anticipate mind control, gunplay, and double crosses will abound in this new series. Fun, fun, fun.  

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns, book 3) is due August 27^th.  I bought the first book in this series (The Girl of Fire and Thorns).  My mom bought the second and pre-ordered the third.  This is astonishing because these are the first books she ever bought on our eReader.  She normally just says “Buy these for me, Mary.”  But, she loved these books so much she couldn’t wait for me and learned how to get them on her own.  I would love these books just for that, but they are really good young adult fantasy, with an (eventually) kick-butt princess, a smattering of gods-designed destinies, magic, and a truly engaging story, so I have decided to like them for that, as well.

 

Fire & Ash, the fourth book in the Benny Imura series by Jonathan Maberry, is due out August 27, 2013. Zombies. Zombies. Zombies. Killing zombies. Zombies. Yeah! If you haven’t tried the first in this series, Rot & Ruin, I recommend starting there.  

 

September:

Thankless in Death by J. D. Robb (who is really Nora Roberts) is due out September 10, 3013.This is book #37 in the In Death series. A romantic police thriller set in the future. What more could anyone ask for? Oh, yeah… 37 of them. Enough said.

 

Under a Graveyard Sky by John Ringo is due out September 3, 2013. I love military science fiction. I love zombie novels. Combine the two and you have a “hmmmm, I should probably read that” book. Add a great sci-fi writer, like John Ringo, and you end up with a must-read. 

Well, that is it for me.  I hope you all find something interesting to read this summer!

And don’t forget…sign up for our Adult or Teen Summer Reading Program to go “Beneath the Surface” and get a chance to win prizes…for doing what you want to do anyway…READING!

What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Cheers, 
~Mary P.