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!
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!
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!
Yay! Good work, Sarah! Engaging and inviting, and not condescending or defensive. What an ambassador of romance novels you are.
*grumble*
God bless, that’s a good list, but as Sandra D said, I’ve read ‘em all already…..
*sigh*
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??
Nice list! And I love that you pimped Ann Aguirre, who I think everyone in the world should be reading!
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! 🙂
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.
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…
Thanks! I like the way you broke it down into categories.
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.
Great list! A little sompin sompin for everyone. Thanks to you I read Spymasters Lady. Fantastic!
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…
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…
More great, positive press for romance, Sarah, and good recommendations for me. Thank you!
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…”
Woo hoo. Well done Sarah. I was excited to see Ann Aguirre on the list too.
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.
We do have This list that’s still open for comments, and you can still add to it, for your Summer Reading needs.
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.
Thank you, all of y’all, for your really kind comments. They totally made my day.
Wow – I’ve read quite a few of the recommendations already. The good news are there are some new authors to try. Thanks Sarah!
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.
Thanks, Sarah! I love being a bitch beach read!
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.