What books will we be buzzing about on the beach this summer?

Looking for a fast-paced read? Some arm-chair travel?  An alternative to that mega-selling bonk-buster book? Or to immerse yourself in the past (or an alternative present…)?

I served up some summer suggestions with different kinds of reader in mind on CBC Day 6 this weekend.

For a character-driven novel: John Irving’s IN ONE PERSON

For some historical drama: Hilary Mantel’s BRING UP THE BODIES (fiction); Erik Larson’s IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS (non-fiction)

For a fast-paced crime fix to take to the beach: Jo Nesbo’s PHANTOM

For an erotic-fiction alternative to Fifty Shades of Grey: Tamara Faith Berger’s MAIDENHEAD; Nicholson Baker’s THE FERMATA and HOUSE OF HOLES

For escapism…
To the Olympics: Craig Taylor’s LONDONERS
To the big sky and open road: Hari Kunzru’s GOD’S WITHOUT MEN
To (or from) a different kind of economy-class travel: Michael Ondaatje’s THE CAT’S TABLE

For a summer-long doorstop read: Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84