TangowithSarah!

by SB Sarah Monday, June 23, 2008 at 02:55 PM

Tango magazine asked me for a summer reading list, only instead of new and best-of, they wanted a beach reading list that was guaranteed to make any vacation, or wish-you-were-on-vacation reading time enjoyable. So I thought about my never-fail books, from the cracktastic and utterly escape-y fun to the more recent books that rocked my socks, and added to that the books that I go back to over and over again for yay summer reading. Drawing inspiration from your ideas, I came up with a list that finally, after MUCH editing, fit within the word count limits.

The article went live today, so if you’re interested on how I winnowed a list of 356,375 books down to, like 15, have a look. (I’m such a dork. I keep going back to look at it. Lookee! Something I wrote!) Happy Officially Summer, Y’all!

Comments

Picture of Jessica Andersen Jessica Andersen said on...
06.23.08 at 04:03 PM |

I don’t know if it’s my system or something else, but when I click on the link, it pulls up the article, gives me a glimpse, and then boots me and goes to an error page.  Which is a bummer, ‘cause I’d like to get a look at your bitching beach list!

Picture of Sandra D Sandra D said on...
06.23.08 at 04:15 PM |

Excellent list, but I have a problem, having been addicted to this site for a while now, I’ve read a good half of that list!

Picture of Suze Suze said on...
06.23.08 at 04:55 PM |

Yay! Good work, Sarah!  Engaging and inviting, and not condescending or defensive.  What an ambassador of romance novels you are.

Picture of Trini Trini said on...
06.23.08 at 05:00 PM |

*grumble*

God bless, that’s a good list, but as Sandra D said, I’ve read ‘em all already.....

*sigh*

Picture of ev ev said on...
06.23.08 at 05:34 PM |

There are a few on there I can check out but I have read most of them too. :sigh: Guess this list was for audience37??

Picture of MaryKate MaryKate said on...
06.23.08 at 05:46 PM |

Nice list! And I love that you pimped Ann Aguirre, who I think everyone in the world should be reading!

Picture of Jenyfer Matthews Jenyfer Matthews said on...
06.23.08 at 09:16 PM |

Great article! Dare I admit that aside from Nora Roberts and Jennifer Crusie, I have not read many of those books? I’m taking notes though, cross my heart!

Spamword: research
I don’t have to do it now ‘cause Sarah did it for me! :)

Picture of SonomaLass SonomaLass said on...
06.23.08 at 09:51 PM |

Agreed about Ann Aguirre.  I’m glad you mentioned a newer writer along with the established ones.  I am in awe of your mad-whack winnowing skillz; I could never have come up with a list both so concise and so comprehensive.

Picture of LeaF LeaF said on...
06.24.08 at 04:24 AM |

Great Article and List Sarah!

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read many of them but now have an excellent reference for summer reading. Happy official summer to you and yours as well…

Picture of Victoria Janssen Victoria Janssen said on...
06.24.08 at 04:55 AM |

Thanks!  I like the way you broke it down into categories.

Picture of Ann Aguirre Ann Aguirre said on...
06.24.08 at 05:12 AM |

Holy crap. My jaw dropped when I saw myself on that list! I think I just got an internet contact high.

Thanks, Sarah. You don’t know how awesome that was for me.

Picture of Patty H. Patty H. said on...
06.24.08 at 05:57 AM |

Great list! A little sompin sompin for everyone.  Thanks to you I read Spymasters Lady.  Fantastic!

Picture of Randi Randi said on...
06.24.08 at 06:36 AM |

Jessica, I think it’s your system. I got the error message too, but I’m at work. So there must be something about the page that some filters find offensive. *sigh* I’d love to see that list though…

Picture of Theresa Meyers Theresa Meyers said on...
06.24.08 at 06:43 AM |

Sarah, Fun article! Any chance you could provide us with an expanded, say 50 best books, list just for SmartBitches?  Already read and re-read-and re-read about 3/4 of the list on Tango…

Picture of darlynne darlynne said on...
06.24.08 at 06:53 AM |

More great, positive press for romance, Sarah, and good recommendations for me. Thank you!

Picture of Malin Malin said on...
06.24.08 at 07:21 AM |

Great article, Sarah! I’m usually stumped when someone asks me for recommendations out of the blue. Now I’ll just tell them to check out your list. I’m truly grateful! Not to mention that there’s my to buy/TBR list for the next little while.

*bowing at your awesomeness* “We’re not worthy...”

Picture of KristenMary KristenMary said on...
06.24.08 at 07:31 AM |

Woo hoo. Well done Sarah. I was excited to see Ann Aguirre on the list too.

Picture of RStewie RStewie said on...
06.24.08 at 09:24 AM |

I loved the list, but I’m with Theresa Meyers...Any chance of getting a longer, more inclusive list just for the Smart Bitches?

Something we can all contribute to, too!!  I has contribushuns.

Picture of SB Sarah SB Sarah said on...
06.24.08 at 10:21 AM |

We do have This list that’s still open for comments, and you can still add to it, for your Summer Reading needs.

Picture of Mary M. Mary M. said on...
06.24.08 at 04:16 PM |

Muahaha. Love your list. I had to smile when I saw the BDB in there because I have this site bookmarked at the review page for Lover Revealed so I know you gave it a D+. But then, addiction had its reasons that reason knows nothing of :-DD. I’ve had BET ME and WELCOME TO TEMPTATION from Crusie for ages yet still haven’t read them. I really need to get myself moving.

Picture of SB Sarah SB Sarah said on...
06.24.08 at 05:41 PM |

Thank you, all of y’all, for your really kind comments. They totally made my day.

Picture of m3t m3t said on...
06.24.08 at 06:11 PM |

Wow - I’ve read quite a few of the recommendations already. The good news are there are some new authors to try.  Thanks Sarah!

Picture of Lisa Hendrix Lisa Hendrix said on...
06.24.08 at 07:44 PM |

Nice article, SBSarah.  You hit many of my favorites and mentioned a couple I’ll have to try out.  Surprised you didn’t manage to work in Eloisa James, though. I always put her in the same breath as Julia Quinn.

Picture of Nora Roberts Nora Roberts said on...
06.25.08 at 02:06 AM |

Thanks, Sarah! I love being a bitch beach read!

Picture of DianeH DianeH said on...
06.25.08 at 06:07 AM |

How groovin’ excellent to see Charms for the Easy Life of your list.  Kaye Gibbon’s voice in this book is dead-pitch perfect.  Years later, I can still hear it.

You did good, SB Sarah.

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