So, the sweltering heat of August is upon us. The dog days of summer, the heat, the mugginess, the humidity, the last chance of possibly getting to that book that's been sitting on your bedside table for months, before the vacation season ends and its back to work or school or whatever other responsibilities take our time when it is not summer. Not all of us are lucky to get vacation over the summer (including one of the authors of the feature!) but that doesn't mean that we don't look for those perfect summer reads.

What makes a book a summer read for you? Is it the length of the book that motivates you to pick it up? I know that shorter books or anthologies make for great reading in small bursts, like when laying on the beach or near the pool for an hour or two. Or do you go the other way? Do you like the long meaty books so you can get lost in some far away place? Pulling up a 1000 page Diana Gabaldon book to just get lost in Jamie and Claire's world. There is definitely a strong appeal to that idea!

Maybe a summer book for you is an oldie but goodie. Rereading an old favorite with a complex plot and lots of intrigue? A comfort read that you've read over and over again just because you love the characters and the setting. This is likely a place you are comfortable with and just want to see your friends one more time. It could be a Julie Garwood or perhaps a LaVyrle Spencer book? Or once again, maybe just the opposite? Are you just DYING to get the newest release? We can't help but noticing that a lot of our favorite authors just happen to release their books over the summer months. Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, even J. R. Ward all have books published this summer. Are you just itching to pick one of these or another favorite author's book up?

There is one more option to this summer reading issue. You might be someone who only reads a lot of books during cool or cold months. You may find summer reading tedious or not that enjoyable. One of us has recently heard several people say they are "burned out" on reading so much and wanting to take a break. This is also fine and may be the way you are feeling in these summer months.

With this in mind we asked the TRRC staff what books they are eager to read this summer. Geri noted that she is eager for the newest Suzanne Brockmann book coming out in July and always saves a special place for any Nora Roberts novel. Both Gloria and Em are anxiously awaiting Janet Evanovich's FEARLESS FOURTEEN. There are really a lot of summer release and choices, but some of the top ones that we got responses on are:


Sarah McCarty – RUNNING WILD

Anne Stuart - FIRE AND ICE

Jessica Andersen - NIGHT KEEPERS

Gena Showalter - THE DARKEST PLEASURE, and THE DARKEST KISS

JR Ward -LOVER ENSHRINED

Sherrilyn Kenyon - ARCHERON

Catherine Coulter – TAILSPIN

Julie Garwood – THE BRIDE

Christine Feehan - THE DARK PRINCE

Harlan Coben – THE WOODS

Laurell K Hamilton – BLOOD NOIR

Jane Green – THE BEACH HOUSE

Maria de los Santos – BELONG TO ME

An interesting mix of books. Some old, and some new. Some big name authors, some I have never heard of before. Well, tell us what you think. What are you picking to read this summer, we'd love to hear at our discussion board: