Ah, summer reading.
"I was just sitting here thinking about that very subject," said Tucson resident and best-selling crime writer Elizabeth Gunn during a recent phone interview.
Gunn made a promise to herself - and actually kept it this time.
"I read for the entire month of June," said Gunn, who sat in her comfy leather chair and read two dozen books last month. "Nonstop, practically. … Reading is so much fun I may never quit."
She finished books such as "Crossers" by Philip Caputo, the fun "Going Back to Bisbee" by Richard Shelton and half a dozen mysteries - of course.
Summer reading's a great time to sit back and devour some brain candy, best-sellers or that book you've always been meaning to start.
Students such as Hugh Grimley look forward to summer every year.
People are also reading…
That's when the 20-year-old is out of Arizona State University and can devote some time to indulging in reading lighter stuff instead of textbooks.
"I love sci-fi, but when I'm in school and have homework, I don't have time to read fun books," said Grimley, who devours books by sci-fi author Jim Butcher. "Now I can go to Raging Sage, get some coffee and read books and lose track of time."
Myra Dinnerstein retired seven years ago from being a women's studies professor at University of Arizona.
She is co-chair of the Tucson Circle of Book Clubs and said retirement gives her more time to do one of her favorite things.
"I always have a book with me," said Dinnerstein, who does most of her reading in a small sitting room off her main bedroom. "The best thing I learned is never to be caught anywhere without a book. I die if I don't have a book with me."
She borrows books from friends and checks out New York Times' book reviews.
"I am one of those voracious readers - I like reading all the time," said Dinnerstein, who reads about two books a week, mostly modern and 19th century novels. "I have so many books at the library on reserve."
We've compiled a list of recommended summer reads for 2010 - 10 fiction, 10 nonfiction and 10 miscellaneous.
Make the festival yours
The third annual Tucson Festival of Books is March 12-13, 2011, again on the University of Arizona campus. The 2010 festival drew more than 80,000 people over two days and showcased more than 350 authors, entertainers, exhibitors and vendors.
Authors who have already committed to the 2011 festival include Frank Deford, Jonathan Eig, Jamie Ford, Diana Gabaldon, Joyce Maynard and T. Jefferson Parker.
To get involved in the festival as a volunteer, sponsor, exhibitor or vendor, or to sign up for the festival's electronic newsletter, go to tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
Contact reporter Valerie Vinyard at vvinyard@azstarnet.com or at 573-4136.
