Summer Reading Suggestions from the Frodo's Notebook Staff

Daniel Klotz

For contemporary poetry that makes good beach reading, I haven't found anything to top Billy Collins's Sailing Alone Around the Room. His conversational, down-to-earth style and witty edge make it easy to understand why he's probably the most popular living poet. The poems in this book have earned the praise of critics yet can be understood in a single reading.

If you've never read a detective novel over your summer break, you're missing out on one of the best genres for the season. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett is the only full-length novel featuring famous sleuth Sam Spade (played by Humphrey Bogart in the movie) and is a stunning example of excellent novel writing.

Eric Sütter

The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
A novel written in Russia during the harsh years of Stalin’s reign, it was not published until decades after the author was deceased. It is a blazing satire of Soviet life, and a retelling of the Passion narrative from the perspective of Woland, a modern day Mephistopheles.

Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
A wonderful fantasy novel set in an alternate colonial America. Washington was beheaded and the Southern Colonies have their own King!  This is the captivating tale of a boy’s coming of age in a land where the simple folk have extraordinary gifts, and the undercurrent of mystery and magic are present in all things.

Timothy Rezendes

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
It's not a light read, but it is thouroughly entertaining. A unique novel about a bomber squadron in the Mediterranean, during World War II. The book is written in a non-linear fashion, so it keeps you on your toes. You will laugh out loud while reading this book, but the antics of the officers can't always disguise the harsh realities of war.

On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft by Steven King
From his days "publishing" a household newspaper as a young boy, to his current status as one of the most well known writers in America, Steven King talks about what it's like to write. Though King does offer advice to aspiring writers, this book is mostly about what it is like to be a writer. The crests and valleys of emotion, the struggle against writers' block, and why a giant desk in the middle of the room might not be the best place to hone your craft.

Mark Tebben

Merlin by Steven Lawhead
While you're waiting for the next Harry Potter book to come out, or if you're boycotting the series just because everyone else is into it, try getting your fantasy fix from Steven Lawhead's "Pendragon Cycle," which centers around the legend of King Arthur. I've recently started the series with Book Two: "Merlin", and I loved it. It's active, engaging, substantive without being heavy, and more than anything a fun read.

Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways by Jamie Jensen
Pack your Kerouac, Steinbeck, and deodorant and head out on one of the eleven trans-USA road trips outlined in this book. With detailed maps and descriptions of everything to see and do along routes such as classic Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, and US-83, "The Road to Nowhere", this makes a great guide to summer travelling, whether across the country or just an afternoon down the road. And it's well-written and well-illustrated/photographed enough to be enjoyed on the couch as well.

Amanda Leas

For history fans, I'd have to pick The Great Bridge, by David McCullough. It's the story behind the conception and construction of Brooklyn Bridge...and I guarantee you'll never look at the bridge the same way again.

For history with a twist of fantasy, The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead is my top pick. Before going to see King Arthur in the theaters this July, I'd highly recommend reading a few of the books in this series. Lawhead offers a totally different look into the legend of The British Isles, offering a historical take without losing the fantasy. While Merlin would be my first choice, Mark already snagged it (I loaned the book to him...grrrr) so I'd go with either Taliesin, the first installment, or Arthur, the third. Cheers.