Summer Reading

I like books. Duh, that's pretty obvious. I read a lot...generally at least 2 books a week.

Often I stick to my favorite authors, but I also like to experiment. This summer I've been experimenting a lot. And I've discovered a lot of GREAT new authors...not necessarily "new" authors, but new to me, at least.

Some of my new faves that I've discovered so far this year, by genre:

YA:
Laurie Halse Anderson...yeah, I know. It took me long enough. But I heard her speak (OK, that wasn't supposed to be a pun) at a conference in April, and she totally rocked, so I ran out and bought SPEAK. Wow. Just, wow. All I can say. If you haven't read this book, you need to. Now. Since then I've also read TWISTED and PROM. She doesn't disappoint.

Mitali Perkins...I've been on an India kick lately, and I'm so glad. Her MONSOON SUMMER is amazing, and had me smiling for hours after I finished.

Liz Rettig...Her MY DESPERATE LOVE DIARY is best described as "teenage Bridget Jones." Hilarious!

Chick Lit:
Jenny Gardiner...There's a reason she won American Title III. SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER is laugh out loud funny.

Regency Romance:
Sophia Nash...I've been remiss in putting off reading her for so long. She's a local chapter member of mine, and I won a signed copy of A DANGEROUS BEAUTY at a meeting last year, and somehow it got buried in my to-be-read pile for over a year. I'm so glad I pulled it out last month. I simply devoured it, and immediately ran out to buy THE KISS. I can't wait until her next one comes out next year.

So, have you tried any new authors lately? Add anyone to your auto-buy list from now on? Whatcha reading this summer?