It's that warm, apathetic time of year again. There's nothing in the papers, and precious little going on elsewhere—so we troop onto boats, planes, cars and trains headed for relaxation and pleasure; and we search for a book or four to see us through the workless days and balmy nights. But what to pack? Aside from the compulsory paperback bestseller or two, what could and should we be reading this Summer?
To probe this vital matter properly, we invited an expert panel of readers, writers and thinkers to tell us what they'll be taking on holiday with them—and what they will, at all costs, be leaving untouched. Respondents included Ian Rankin, Chris Cleave, Gideon Rachman, Nicci Gerrard, Julian Gough and Dominic Sandbrook, and you can read their responses here, among others.
My own vacation preferences are for one absurdly heavy tome—the kind of historical, philosophical work you can only satisfactorily chew through given the run-up of a vacant week and plenty of sleep—mixed with some novels of the science-fiction/thriller variety that I've spirited away from the office shelves when no-one was looking. But I digress. What will you be reading; and what would you like to see left safely on the shelf?
Summer books to love and hate
July 30, 2008
