Beach Reads, Knopf Style

Beach Reads, Knopf Style

When I started writing this post, it was the height of summer reading season. Now the season is winding down, however, the books are still some the best recommendations for reading at your favorite beach. So despite the timing, it’s still good reading. So enjoy….

It’s the height of the summer reading season: from The New York Times, to O Magazine to The Daily Beast, everyone has a list of great summer reads. But my summer reading list is made up of strong recommendations from friends and colleagues right here in the Knopf offices. Inspired by The New Yorker‘s Bookspotting column, I thought I would share what’s on our summer reading list:

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Joey McGarvey, Editorial Assistant

Every chapter brings another blow to the gut—Jennifer Egan’s novel reads like an exceptionally fine collection of short stories, building intricately on one another and never lacking for emotion or verve. I devoured it. And yes, there’s PowerPoint.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

Hillary Tisman, Vintage Advertising and Promotions Manager and Borzoi Cooks contributor

The jacket art inspired the addition of this title onto my summer reading list and plus, my mom makes great lemon cake!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross

Marci Lewis, Production Manager

I read it as a bound galley and loved it. The Hitchcockian motif grabbed me from the start.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

Josh Raab, Production Intern

It’s Stieg Larsson! Enough said! (Note: this is one of the few decent pictures we could get of this jacket—so shiny!). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Dead Path by Stephen M. Irwin

Bob Camus, Night Production Manager
(a.k.a a friend who doesn’t work here and refused to be photographed)

Love Stephen King and all things Australian. I am so ready for a good scary read on a beautiful summer day. I’ll get back to you about how I liked it!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One Day by David Nicholls

Jaclyn Cimino, Vintage Online Media Intern

After going through a breakup, I felt I needed to read about someone else’s love life rather than dwell on my own for a change. And, well, this book is definitely doing the trick!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

Me (Peggy Samedi), Associate Production manager

The title grabbed me, but it was Charles Yu’s writing that has kept me reading. It feels like I‘m in the middle of my favorite Dr. Who episode. It’s a little like Douglas Adams met Steven Moffat and had Charles Yu, but he turned out to be smarter and a little madder than both.

If you have any suggestions for good summer reads, please feel free to leave a comment. Happy summer reading!