Summer Reading List 2016

Summer is HERE, people! (I say this, but I woke to SNOW yesterday. Yes, snow! *shakes finger at Idaho*) And I don’t know about you, but summer always puts me in a reading mood. (Tweet this) I picture myself walking out to a bug-less green glen or knoll with a red-and-black checkered picnic blanket, lemonade, and a perfectly-temperatured day. All this with a book that happens to be a perfectly jaw-dropping 5-star read, of course.

What actually happens:

  • It’s conference season so I’m crazy busy traveling and networking and having WAY TOO MUCH BOOKISH FUN (is that even possible?) until it’s suddenly Christmas and I die of exhaustion.
  • I have a lovely stack of TBR books that I never touch. And then it’s Christmas and I GET MORE OF THEM. *come to me, my children* But we all know that, whether we read our summer TBR list or not, IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A TBR LIST. Because it’s fun. Like re-organizing your bookshelves. And eating Oreos. And riding unicorn-dragon hybrids.

So here’s the list of books I hope to dominate this summer:

The Throne of Glass Series, by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass TBR

Everybody and their pet pencils seems to have read this series and drooled over it until they shriveled up from fangirling/fanboying. (Tweet this) The covers are epic, there’s no arguing with that. I own the first three books and they’re so thick that they’d outshine a life raft in an freak airplane water-landing. I started the first book once, got 6 pages in, and then got slammed with an epic story idea. So I set it aside and then plotted on my Barnes & Noble Cafe napkin. I’ve now prepped myself to be blown away by these books. So I’m only going to start them when I have plenty of time to read all of them and when we’re closer to book 5 releasing.

 

Falling Kingdoms Series by Morgan Rhodes

These covers, though, you guys. THESE. COVERS. ?  I know what I’m having for dinner. Soupe a’la BOOK COVER.

Falling Kingdom Covers

The Falling Kingdoms series caught my eye by its covers alone. And then I got a bit giddy when I saw the Instagram bookdom totally gushing about it. Those peeps know good books. 😀 So . . . I have the first bookand we’ll see how it goes from there. Has anyone read this series?

 

Embers, by Ronie Kendig & Waking Beauty by Sara E. Morin

.                  DSC_0050 24583169

I am a bad author friend. I haven’t read either of these lovely books by my Enclave sisters yet. *weeps bitterly* Why, life? WHY?!? Sometimes, when I’m really busy but can’t handle the temptation, I’ll pull them off the shelves and stroke their covers. (Creepy? Okay, creepy.)

 

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Grisha Trilogy Summer Reading

Guess who owns the first book and the third book in this trilogy? -.- Thaaaaat’s right. Me. Not sure how book 2 missed the UPS train to my house. (Aka: I didn’t even realize there were three books.) Anyway, people tend to either love or “meh” this series. They have a Russian feel to them, so I think I’ll be a lover.

 

New World Series by Jennifer Wilson

New World RisingI am a dystopian author. So you’d think I like dystopian books. Guess what? YOU’D BE RIGHT. *gimme Hunger Games NOW* Even though dystopian is getting a bit “uncool” (*gasp* Say it ain’t so!) I’ve been seeing these cool artsy covers for Jennifer Wilson’s New World series everywhere. And finally caved. (As I knew I would.) They’re just…so….pretttttty. And the main character’s name is Phoenix, which is just cool. And the author is awesome (you should follow her on Instagram!) And book two releases next month! Perfect timing!

 

The Winner’s Curse Trilogy by Marie Rutoski

This is a hyped series. I’m a little nervous going into it because what if I hate the whole series and all readers everywhere come hunting me with pitchforks?! *shrug* So be it. I have a feeling I won’t hate it. In fact, I already started book one and the main character plays the piano (guess what, so do I?) and isn’t that great at sword fighting (hey, neither am I!) and doesn’t think people should be sold as slaves (me neitherrrr!) so we’re already besties. Not to mention there are pretty dresses and daggers on the covers. *drool*

Winner's Curse Summer Reading

 

The Illyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight & Rooms by James L. Rubart

I have several rabid reader friends (*cough* Katie *cough*) who have shoved Resistance in my face more times than one (or one hundred.) Even hubby heeded the calling and got it for me for Christmas. Now that the third book is releasing I’m ready to pick up the monstrous first volume. (Are you seeing a pattern in my reading habits? Giant books. Waiting until the next one’s almost released. Yup.)

.                      Resistance Jaye L Knight Summer Reading rooms-james-rubart-summer-reading

The other book is Rooms by James L. Rubart. I own several of his books, but haven’t jumped in yet. Oh, did I mention that he and I and Sara E. Morin are all finalists for the Christy Award in the visionary category? MY NAME IS NEXT TO THEIRS!! Therefore, I must finally crack down and read their books. I’ve been wanting to for a long time anyway. 😀

 

The Remnant Chronicles, by Mary E. Pearson

Surprise, surprise, the last book releases this year. 😉 I just can’t afford to start reading series before they’re almost finished. Otherwise I’ll forget important details by the time the last book releases. (Unless it’s Harry Potter or the Lunar Chronicles.)

kiss of deception summer reading

I’ve had the first book of this series for far too long. FAR. TOO. LONG. And stared at the cover, and imagined actually reading it. You know how it goes. This summer, I will actually make this happen.


 

You’ve probably noticed by my list that I’m in a fantasy mood. That’s because the next book I’m writing is fantasy (see the updates on the sidebar to your right! 😀 ) I’m ready to delve into this world for a long, long time. How about you?

What is on your summer TBR list? (Tweet this)
Don’t have a Summer TBR list? MAKE ONE! HERE! IN THE COMMENTS! [end shouting]

 

 



About Nadine Brandes

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning ROMANOV, FAWKES, and the Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels with their Halfling children. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.
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27 Comments

  1. I’m actually rereading Resistance right now, and it’s just as good the second time. 😀

  2. You do realize that if you don’t read Resistance by Realm Makers, both Katie and I are going to gang up on you until you do. You’ll be sharing a room with TWO rabid Ilyon fans, and I’ve been told we’re a rather scary lot when our fangirl comes out. Just saying. 😉

  3. YES, RESISTANCE. This is tied (three ways) for my favorite book, and that’s hard to get to! I’ve read all of the four books (1-3 & 1.5) and they’re all brillllllllllliant!!!! 😀 😀

  4. I like the idea of a summer reading list. I’ve actually been thinking of the books I will read once the launch is over. I shall put a list together soon and post it! 😀

  5. Rebekah Gyger

    My TBR pile is pretty much what I get sent for review this summer. I get so many books (like 4-6 a month) that I rarely get to read anything but those. And since I work mostly with Christian publishers, I don’t read much in the secular market (so… most of the pretty books on this list will never reach my TBR).

    But I can say that Resistance is great. I’ve been a reviewer for all the books in the series and have given all 4 stars.

  6. Nathan Mileski

    My TBR list is the Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Ranger’s Apprentice. I hope I can red ’em, but I got a lot of summer work and school work so….
    And now I want to read the Throne of Glass series and the Illyon Chronicles. Those look and sound cool. 🙂

  7. RESISTANCE RESISTANCE RESISTANCE. You. Will. Love it.

    And that Winner’s Curse Trilogy looks cool. I’ll have to try that one. 🙂

    Wow, you got SNOW?!? o.o Here in the desert, the hotness COMES TOO FAST. I actually envy you. 😉

  8. *moans* Noooooo, don’t mention the snoooowwww!

    -.- We didn’t get a winter this year. And now it’s going to be a super-hot summer. And I’ll die (overdramatic? me?).

    Such lovely covers these books have!

    I was trying to think of good fantasy books… And I realized… I actually read more sci-fi than fantasy… Even though I write more fantasy than sci-fi…

  9. holy cow are you a fast reader? that list would take me ALL YEAR lol. My TBR list is like 3 books and I barely feel able to accomplish that by the end of the summer. Though they are rather large.

    I really want to rereread This Present Darkness, and a book called Unbroken that my dad keeps bugging me to read. (The movie was great). Also, I’m tempted to either reread Mockingjay and/or The 2nd in the Game of Thrones. Hesitating, though, as it’s quite violent…

    Those are just my hard copies btw. I have a huge ebook TBR list all lined up on my kindle which I keep jumping around. Also, I definitely want to get into The Illyon Chronicles. Heard really great things about this series.

  10. Fist of all, why do all great authors play the piano? I mean piano is AMAZING, and that is all I ever spend my life on (besides God and reading ?), but there should be some study how piano stimulated the creative side of your brain.

    Anyways, a lot of this books I havee en and I’m interested in. A.k.a. Enclave books. And hopefully this summer I’ll get to read ALL of them. *wishful thinking*

    First on my list is Defy by Tricia Mingerink. I’ve read her first two books (fantastic Christian fiction) and I fell in love. The third one comes out in like two weeks. *bites nails in anticipation*
    Secondly, maybe I’ll get through the classic 1984 dystopian by Georde Orwell. We’ll see. Then the rest of the anomaly series by Krista McGee. Anti can’t think of much else. I’ll probably end up reading my favorites all over again. Oh yeah! God Wars by C.B. STone is also on my list. Also I’ll be writing -alot

    • I was born into a very musical family. 😀 And I definitely think there’s a tie between both those creative habits — writing and music!

      I love your TBR list! Tricia’s books are so fantastic.

      • Oh and I just started the Rooms. It is amazing! And plus I’ve been like everywhere in his story so I can picture it perfectly

  11. jessicascoullar

    Will add these to my list of books I am intending to read. Have to admit that I have a book list about ten long of books I have bought and not had time to read.
    Speaking of reading, would love to be a beta reader for your fantasy series, please?

    • I’ll keep you in mind as a beta reader for my fantasy! Since it’s still in the first draft stage it’ll be a long time until it’s ready for beta reading. 🙂

  12. I haven’t created a summer reading list per se. I just have a never-ending TBR list that I’m working through. The Grisha Trilogy, The Illyon Chronicles, and Rubart’s “Rooms” is on it, so maybe I’ll try tackling them this summer. I’ve also been wanting to get into Morgan Busse’s Follower of the Word series. This might be a good time to start while waiting for her to finish the Soul Chronicles. I don’t typically like beginning a series before all the books are written either.

  13. I finished the Lunar Chronicles! Really enjoyed them! 🙂

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