Page Two - 7/25/12

We're in the dog days of summer here in southern Indiana and nothing sounds better than a cold drink, a comfortable chair and a good book to while away the hours.  I've been reading debut novels this summer and have found some absolute gems to share.



"Tigers in Red Weather" is the debut novel written by Herman Melville's triple-great-granddaughter.  Released at the beginning of this month, it covers two decades in the lives of two cousins as they come to maturity at the end of World War II and enter the complex decades of the 50's and 60's.  The spot-on characterizations guide the reader through a complex story of love and longing awash in alcohol and the ocean on Martha's Vineyard.  "Tigers in Red Weather" was released on July 7 and is published by Little, Brown and Company.

You'll have to wait until July 31 to pick up your copy of "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman (Simon & Schuster).



This outstanding debut takes the reader to Australia and focuses on a World War II veteran and his wife.  Their lives as lighthouse keepers on remote Janus Rock are changed forever when Isabel and Tom discover, washed up on their shore, a lifeboat containing a dead body and a live infant.  Irrevocable decisions force these fine people into introspection, regret, re-evaluation and redemption.

Grab a cold margarita and dive into these fine books!

Reading Between the Lines - Page One - 12/12/11

Welcome to "Reading Between the Lines", my new blog focusing on all things to do with books!

A number of years ago (a really BIG number of years ago!), I was asked to put together a list of books that I would recommend as holiday gifts. I presented it to a service club in Shreveport, LA at the outrageous hour of 7:00 a.m. I offered examples of great books for everyone from toddlers to octogenarians. I confess that it was a highly subjective list! I based my choices on current books that I loved. Since I love reading children's books, mysteries, cookbooks, novels and almost anything else in print including cereal boxes and road signs, I had a wide variety of choices to offer.

I have always thought that a book was the best possible gift to give or to receive. I've been doing a new list each year for the past 15 years and presenting it to a wide variety of audiences. I wanted to share it this year for the first time on-line. Click on through and enjoy!

http://daytonbookings.com/2011%20Holiday%20Book%20Recommendations%20rev.htm

And while you're pondering which books to purchase for which person, consider putting together a fabulous tree display as pictured above.