If you’re a book buff then one of the pleasures of summer surely has to be lawn lounging with a good book!
I’m always reading several books at any one time and at the moment it’s these.
Last week Daffy kindly sent me From Baghdad, with Love by Jay Kopelman 
which I’m sure she’ll agree is an ideal dipping in and out of book. All of us who have, or just like, pets read such books as it’s the animal, rather than human, factor that continues to delight, and often surprise, us.
I’m a great fan of crime novels but since reading three really good ones in quick sucession early in the year I’ve been struggling to find any more as good. However I started The Dragon Man by Garry Disher 
at the weekend which looks like being as good as they come! It has a terrific plot and believeable characters of which Hal Challis, the main cop, spends his off-duty time restoring a wonderful 1930’s Dragon Rapide, hence the title. No doubt I’ll finish it far too quickly but I’ve already got the next one Kittyhawk Down.
Out of a Clear Sky by Sally Hinchcliffe 
is the hardback that I’d recommend as a good summer read. It’s an edgy story of obsession, false friendships and a disjointed family life which I’m sure that many reading will relate to in some way, hopefully indirectly. Although a first novel it doesn’t read like one thanks to Sally’s excellent use of language and words. Incidentally I really like this book cover.
I have mentioned previously that Sally is fellow lawn lounger City Exile (and before that Disgruntled Commuter) whose excellent blog entries have kept many of us entertained for the past three years and more.
Of course don’t forget the raspberries with vanilla ice cream and a glass of home-made lemonade which I consider essential rather than an indulgence for lawn lounging with a good book!
Tomorrow is Independence Day, and a national holiday, in the USA. I hope that all our good friends over there enjoy themselves however they celebrate it!
Have a good weekend and happy lawn lounging!
16 responses so far ↓
daffy // July 3, 2008 at 9:30 am |
I’m pleased you are able to ‘get into’ the book. It really is worth the time.
I’m reading The Lovely Bones at the moment, as usual, it seems everyone has read it before me and I’ve caught on late but better late than never I say.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lovely_Bones
Interestingly enough I have discovered that they are making a film, due to be released late 2009. It seems to be well cast too with a couple of favourites of mine in the film. I’m pleased the book will be well and truly finished by 2009. I love to do comparisons from book to film.
(Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci)
.
My other book on the go, is the book getting me more and more excited about my holiday.
Michael Palins New Europe. It’s a brilliant read. For those who prefer to read on the web, try here…
http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/
.
Enjoy your lemonade and Ice cream. (Both in the same glass is even better!) xx
Flighty // July 3, 2008 at 10:08 am |
Daffy I’m well into it, and enjoying it!
The Lovely Bones is not my kind of book but everyone I know who’s read it certainly rated it.
Books to films can be very variable indeed as things tend to be cut and changed for the latter. Because of that I always think that it’s better to see the film then read the book!
I’ve looked at New Europe in the bookshop and can see why you like it!
Both in the same glass sounds good to me! xx
Yolanda Elizabet // July 3, 2008 at 6:36 pm |
Happy lawn lounging to you too Mike! I’m not lounging on my lawn at the mo as it’s raining but I am reading some good books too but that’s nothing new as I read about 2 books per week on average.
Thanks for the heads up about Dragon Man, I love crime novels too.
Must try that recipe of home made lemonade as it sounds delicious. But first I have to finish the last bottles of home made elderberry flower champagne I made in May. Your good health my dear, cheers!
disgruntled // July 3, 2008 at 7:12 pm |
Hi and thanks for the nice review! And if people want to buy the book and give a little money to birds at the same time they can buy it through the WWT (Wildfowl and Wetland Trust) website – here
Flighty // July 3, 2008 at 7:33 pm |
Yolanda thanks! The good thing about being a book buff is being able to lawn lounge or sofa fly depending on the weather!
I’ve just finished The Dragon Man, really enjoyed it and can’t wait to start the next one.
Your champagne sounds as delicious as the lemonade. To you too! xx
Flighty // July 3, 2008 at 7:36 pm |
Disgruntled you’re most welcome. I’m now looking forward to the next one! xx
Glo // July 4, 2008 at 7:15 am |
Thanks for sharing your books with us
I’ve been back to the library again, and picked up a few more, so when it is too hot to work in the garden, or when I’m needing to relax after work, I’m happily lounging on the deck under the umbrella reading away ~ some books are hard to put down, and sometimes you just wish they’d never end! Lemonade is very refreshing 
nikkipolani // July 4, 2008 at 2:50 pm |
Well, these are wonderful recommendations! I have not been reading much, though the last book I listened to was one of Benjamin Black’s (The Swan), which I didn’t like. Maybe I’ll try out one of yours
There’ll be a bit of cooking and grilling for Independence Day over here. Weather’s warm (probably in the 90s), quite typical for this time of year. Happy lawn lounging.
Flighty // July 4, 2008 at 5:34 pm |
Glo you’re welcome. It’s good to see that you’re a book buff!
That’s very true what you say about really good books.
Real lemonade most certainly is! xx
Flighty // July 4, 2008 at 5:37 pm |
Nikki I enjoyed all three of these.
I didn’t like The Swan either, in fact I gave up quite quickly which is unusual for me!
Have a good, and relaxing, day!
Thanks, you too. xx
cafecortado // July 5, 2008 at 7:11 pm |
Good to see some suggestions for books here. I recently got hold of a second hand book (for my long commute – most evenings it takes me 2 hours to get home) “The Curious Incident of the dog in the night”. I’ve quite enjoyed what I ‘ve read so far, but will soon need more reading material, which is why this entry is so welcome. Thanks again Flighty (and other contributors) for another helpful post.
Liv // July 5, 2008 at 7:48 pm |
I think I saw the story of that rescued puppy. In fact, there have been a few dogs rescued and taken home with troops, either to their homes or as base mascots. Did you hear of the two that were smuggled out of Afghanistan? Warms the cockles of your heart. xx
Flighty // July 6, 2008 at 8:59 am |
Cafecortado thanks! That was one of the books that Uphilldowndale mentioned, which I enjoyed reading.
Glad to know that you find these entries useful! Cheers!
Flighty // July 6, 2008 at 9:00 am |
Liv there are always stories like that, which as you rightly say are heartwarming! xx
Ellie // July 7, 2008 at 10:01 pm |
I’m a great fan of crime novels too, so I will definitely look out for Gary Disher’s books. The weather forecast suggests I will be needing a good book to ride out the rain!
Flighty // July 8, 2008 at 8:17 pm |
Ellie I’ve read both and really enjoyed them! At the moment I’m doing more sofa flying than plotting thanks to the weather! xx