8 Big Books to Read this Summer

by Donna Huber

I'm not surprised that we haven't reviewed many books on Goodreads' list of 100 Doorstopper Books to Level Up Your Spring Reading. As a book blogger I feel pressured to read books quickly so that I will have content to post so longer books aren't as appealing know that that will take me longer. Also, looking at the list I see that it has a large number of classics (great as you can often find them free or cheap so you can take as long as you want to read it without breaking the bank). I wonder if authors and publishers are shying away from longer books as well given the shortening attention spans of the public in general. 

Several years ago, I participated in the Big Book Summer Challenge hosted by Book by Book. I remember reading the new Mary Kay Andrews book that summer (they are usually 400+ pages). The challenge usually starts Memorial Day Weekend (end of May for non-US readers), if you want to participate.

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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

I read this in high school and loved it. Definitely a classic love story.

Buy Jane Eyre at Amazon

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

I loved The Grapes of Wrath, but I never read anything else by Steinbeck. Several years ago I decided to read East of Eden and found it equally great. I consider Steinbeck's books to be among the Great American Novels.

Buy East of Eden at Amazon

The Stand by Stephen King

Susan wrote a great piece on The Stand a few years ago as it is one of her favorite novels. 

Buy The Stand at Amazon

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

"The story of the Holy Week pilgrimage is one that has the hallmarks of mythology we might learn in school, and I was sucked deeply into this tale. I had to see if Keema and Jun made it to the end, as I cared about their journey and how it would affect them," wrote MK in her review.

Buy The Spear Cuts Through Water at Amazon

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

"The writing is beautiful and despite the depressing situations, the major feeling is one of hope for the future.  This book will definitely be in my top ten books of the year and is one of the few books that I'm sure I'll re-read in the future," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy Demon Copperhead at Amazon

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

"Doerr's novel is told with soaring language and endlessly inventive turns of phrase," wrote Alison in her review.

"Read it.  Treasure it.  It will make you an instant fan of Anthony Doerr's extraordinary talent," wrote Kathleen Barker in her review.

Buy All the Light We Cannot See at Amazon

Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

I listened to the audiobook for my post-apocalyptic book club. It might not be the best book to listen to as the story felt all over the place and was difficult to follow.

Buy Perdido Street Station at Amazon

The Terror by Dan Simmons

"The novel begins in the middle of the action and continues to skip around on a non-linear timeline. I was instantly drawn in by the colorful figure of Lady Silence, an "Esquimaux" woman who has had her tongue chewed off," wrote Alison in her review.

Buy The Terror at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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