Beach Reads

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Seven days is but a fraction of your year. Specifically, it’s 1/52 of the life you’ll have in 2010. It’s just a week for most of us, but you call it vacation and you’re already marking the time until you go.

And who travels without a book, huh? Hardly anybody, that’s who. So why not make the best of your airport waiting, your downtime, your hammock-sitting, your beach reading with a new book by your favorite author.

Ready To Read

You might not know it, but a lot of your favorite authors are ready for your vacation now. Jackie Collins has a new book out. Same for Scott Turow, Chuck Palahniuk and Robert B. Parker. Gail Sheehy, Dave Barry and Jen Lancaster’s books are already in bookstores, as are new ones by Queen Latifah, Emily Giffin, the duo of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Sebastian Junger and Kenneth C. Davis.

The kids will find a new Sandra Boynton book and several new Brainquest activity books. There’s a new bio on Steinbrenner and a new book in the “Sex in the City” saga.

There’s also a new John Sanford thriller, a new Matt Ridley novel, the latest in Jennifer Estep’s series, new books by Sidney Sheldon, Sandra Browne and Mary Monroe.

Summer begins with awesome books by Clive Cussler, Justin Scott, Jeffrey Deaver and Laurell K. Hamilton. Look for a new Anne Brashares novel and a new book by green queen Sophie Uliano. Nelson DeMille and Sherrilyn Kenyon both have new novels, as do Catherine Coulter and Dean Koontz.

There’s a new biography on Ray Charles and one on Liz and Richard. Sonny Barger has a new memoir. So does Pat Benatar, by the way, and you’ll find a new biography about Lance Armstrong, just in time for the Tour de France.

Janet Evanovich presents fans with her latest novel. Danielle Steele, James Rollins and Karen Slaughter have new books coming out, as do Richard North Patterson and Neil Gaiman.

July Releases

You’re not done yet, are you? No, you’re not.

In July, look for new books by Nora Roberts, the duo of Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen, and ReShonda Tate Billingsly. Ayelet Waldman is coming out with a new book, as are Tess Gerritsen, Alexander McCall Smith, W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear, and Mary B. Morrison. Look for a new novel by Belinda Acosta and one from MaryJanice Davidson.

I’m excited about the new Paco Underhill book due in July. Carrie Fisher has a new book coming out, and so does Alison Weir.

August Releases

So you’ve planned a late vacation? No problem, there are still plenty of new books coming out in late summer.

How about the latest from the ever-delightful Mary Roach? How about another Sherrilyn Kenyon? You’ll find Phillippa Gregory, W.E.B. Griffin and William Butterworth, Faye Kellerman, Nancy Grace, Nevada Barr and Ridley Pearson all with new books in August, as well as a new biography by Roseanne Cash and two new diet and exercise books coming out.

And even if you’re not on vacation, look for new books by Sandra Brown, Robin Cook, Linda Howard, Larry McMurtry, Fredrick Forsyth, Martin Cruz Smith, R.A. Salvatore, Eric Jerome Dickey, J.A. Jance and Carl Weber.

There are lots of cookbooks being released in August (just in time for end-of-summer grilling) and quite a few books for the kids (just in time for back-to-school).

But Beware …

These release dates, of course, are subject to change. If you head to your favorite bookstore or library and you can’t find what you want, don’t hesitate for one second to ask the librarian or bookseller what they’d recommend. Better yet, ask them what book they’ve recently loved best. You can’t go wrong with a recommendation like that, and trust me, people who make their living working with books like to talk about books.

Have a great summer and happy reading!