Warwick’s Staff Presents: Summertime Reading

It is summer, time to head out to the beach, grab a spot on the sand and pick up a new book. Need a little inspiration? Here’s a brief glance into the summer reading lives of the Warwick’s staff.

Adriana, bookseller: The Master’s Muse by Varley O’Connor. Fans of The Paris Wife will not want to miss out on O'Connor's brilliant portrayal of Tanaquil Le Clercq. the prima ballerina, muse, and last wife to the brilliant ballet master, George Balanchine. Struck with polio in the middle of a European tour at the young age of 26, Le Clercq would never walk, let alone dance, again. Extensively researched, O'Connor gives voice to a very private one and gives us a theoretical peak into one of the most fascinating marriages of the twentieth-century. Intense, heartbreaking, and life affirming, The Master's Muse will have you reading long into the night.

John, book buyer/bookseller: Having recently attended an event with and been bowled over by Carlin Romano, I feel even more enthusiastic as I read his wonderful America the Philosophical. Against cultural commentators and historians dating at least back to Alexis de Tocqueville, Romano argues that America is the most philosophical culture in the history of the world. He defends his claim with an eye-opening, vigorous, and entertaining narrative history of American thought and thinkers. I am finding this book — and I have never said this of a book before — unputdownable.

This summer will see the release of The Lost Prince, the second novel of Selden Edwards. Edwards happens to be the author of one of the most entertaining novels I have ever read, The Little Book. Pat Conroy and Garth Stein have already gone on record in support of The Lost Prince, both of these authors finding it to be even better than The Little Book. Enough said! I am crazy excited to read The Lost Prince and delighted that Edwards will be returning to La Jolla to discuss and sign his new book at Warwick's. My summer suggestion to everyone: devour The Little Book as soon as possible and join me in eagerly awaiting the release of The Lost Prince.

Julie, Director of Events: Summer Reading for me is not any different from the rest of the year...give me a good piece of fiction please! So, on my stack for this summer...Zafon's The Prisoner of Heaven, Karen Thompson Walker's The Age of Miracles, Selden Edward's The Lost Prince...and a little guilty pleasure...Deborah Harkness' Shadow of Night!

Jolene, Gifts: Before the Poison by Peter Robinson. Intriguing story—going from present day to half a century ago—where the protagonist goes on a hunt to discover if a murderess actually killed her husband in the house he has just purchased.

Barbara, bookseller: I’m looking forward to reading Heading Out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick because I loved his first novel A Reliable Wife!

Samantha, bookseller: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The first time I read To Kill a Mockingbird, I was in 7th grade. Eight years have since passed and I’ve now read Harper Lee’s only novel as many times. To Kill a Mockingbird is the first book I read every summer, and I love it a little more every time.

Heather, Marketing Coordinator: I think the question is more what am I not reading this summer! From Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer and David R. Gillham’s City of Women, to Simon Mawer’s Trapeze, I’m hitting the fiction pretty hard, although I will be taking a break from the new stuff to read Victor Hugo’s classic Les Miserables, a book I’m afraid to say I’ve never actually read before. Here’s to a new reading experience.

Emily, Local Author Coordinator/bookseller: More Baths Less Talking by Nick Hornby. I am a huge fan of everything and everyone British, especially Nick Hornby. I cannot wait to read this book before it comes out in August.

Janet, bookseller: This summer I plan on scratching 2 items off my “bucket list”, well…at least vicariously. One is ballet, The Masters Muse by Varley O’Connor and The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey—both highly recommended by Adriana should cross that off my list. Hiking is another activity that sounds good, but so far I haven’t taken it up, so instead I plan on reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It’s a summer of attempting to be adventurous, but in my own way…by reading about it.

Margie, Office Supplies: This is my summer of “kind” and “compassionate” books. The ultimate of these being Wonder by R.J. Palacio, which I absolutely love, love, love! If you get a chance, please read Wonder, you will love it just as much as the Warwick’s staff did.

Acacia, bookseller: The Cove by Ron Rash. Every year I like to kick-off summer by reading something that’s guaranteed to give me chills and beat the summer heat. This year, Ron Rash’s unusual love story set in WWII Appalachia with its dark backdrop of early American superstition and folklore, transported me to a way of life that is long gone.

Jim, bookseller: Before the Poison by Peter Robinson. An American purchases a home in the English countryside, site unseen, and soon finds out why it was so underpriced: A woman killed her husband and was executed 50 years ago. But is she truly guilty?

I’m also reading The Invisible Ones by Stef Penny. Gypsies in England hire a detective to solve a puzzling murder. This is full of fascinating information about the Roma culture and their relationship to the non-Roma culture.

Lynn, Office Supplies: I just finished Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I wanted to read it before the movie came out. I loved the book…not sure if the movie can compare.

Kim, Office Supply: I’m reading Teach Your Children Well by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. This book about parenting choices focuses on core values and authentic success. Life her first book The Price of Privilege, Levine reminds me of all the options in raising my child.