Summer 2013 Reading List

What better way to beat the heat than with a good book.

The Last Word: A Spellman Novel by Lisa Lutz - Summer is considered a time for relaxation and introspection and what better way to do that than with a good book. Ranging from a variety of genres including mystery, motivational, fictional and suspense, here's a list of 10 must-read books for summer 2013. This mystery novel is sure to be an intriguing, light read for the summer. It focuses on private investigator Izzy Spellman, who is accused of embezzling from her former client Mr. Slayter, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. If Izzy is indicted for embezzlement, she would risk losing everything she's earned. Sounds juicy, right? — Moriba Cummings (Photo: Simon & Schuster)

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The Last Word: A Spellman Novel by Lisa Lutz - Summer is considered a time for relaxation and introspection and what better way to do that than with a good book. Ranging from a variety of genres including mystery, motivational, fictional and suspense, here's a list of 10 must-read books for summer 2013. This mystery novel is sure to be an intriguing, light read for the summer. It focuses on private investigator Izzy Spellman, who is accused of embezzling from her former client Mr. Slayter, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. If Izzy is indicted for embezzlement, she would risk losing everything she's earned. Sounds juicy, right? — Moriba Cummings (Photo: Simon & Schuster)

For Single People Who Still Understand the Value of Relationships by Rob Hill Sr. - What would a summer reading list be without a book on relationship advice? Seeing as fall directly follows summer, Rob Hill Sr. is taking it upon himself to prepare you for “booed up” season. Not just limited to singles, this book is geared towards couples, seasoned lovers and singles alike, there’s something for everybody in this one! (Photo: Spirit Filled Creations)

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For Single People Who Still Understand the Value of Relationships by Rob Hill Sr. - What would a summer reading list be without a book on relationship advice? Seeing as fall directly follows summer, Rob Hill Sr. is taking it upon himself to prepare you for “booed up” season. Not just limited to singles, this book is geared towards couples, seasoned lovers and singles alike, there’s something for everybody in this one! (Photo: Spirit Filled Creations)

Domino Falls: A Novel by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due - It is quite seldom that you find a stirringly sinister — and believable — horror novel by a Black author. If you love reading about zombies and feed off of suspense, Domino Falls is definitely for you. Written by New York Times and Essence bestselling authors Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due, this book explores a time when a civilization went crazy, resulting in premature cannibalism after an unknown outbreak. Convinced yet? (Photo: Atria Books)

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Domino Falls: A Novel by Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due - It is quite seldom that you find a stirringly sinister — and believable — horror novel by a Black author. If you love reading about zombies and feed off of suspense, Domino Falls is definitely for you. Written by New York Times and Essence bestselling authors Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due, this book explores a time when a civilization went crazy, resulting in premature cannibalism after an unknown outbreak. Convinced yet? (Photo: Atria Books)

This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz - If you’re in the mood for a more in-depth and heavy read, Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz’s This Is How You Lose Her is possibly your best choice. Profiling a tale of several individuals’ personal journeys of failure and growth, this novel provides just the right dose of inspiration and motivation to get you through the summer and beyond. (Photo: Riverhead Trade)

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This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz - If you’re in the mood for a more in-depth and heavy read, Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz’s This Is How You Lose Her is possibly your best choice. Profiling a tale of several individuals’ personal journeys of failure and growth, this novel provides just the right dose of inspiration and motivation to get you through the summer and beyond. (Photo: Riverhead Trade)

All Decent Animals by Oonya Kempadoo - If you’ve ever experienced the rich and lush culture of Trinidad, Oonya Kempadoo’s seductive words in this novel will resonate with you quite well. Syntactically descriptive and colorful, Kempadoo explains the euphoric aura of the nation’s biggest festival of the year: Carnival. Showcasing the melting-pot culture of Trinidad, Kempadoo gives readers a first-hand visual on what the nation has to offer. (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

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All Decent Animals by Oonya Kempadoo - If you’ve ever experienced the rich and lush culture of Trinidad, Oonya Kempadoo’s seductive words in this novel will resonate with you quite well. Syntactically descriptive and colorful, Kempadoo explains the euphoric aura of the nation’s biggest festival of the year: Carnival. Showcasing the melting-pot culture of Trinidad, Kempadoo gives readers a first-hand visual on what the nation has to offer. (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

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101 Things to Do Before You Graduate by Jullien Gordon - In what may be applicably and arguably the most useful book of the bunch, motivational speaker Jullien Gordon’s 101 Things to Do Before You Graduate is undoubtedly a must read for all college students. Providing a comprehensive list of experiences that students should seek out before getting that coveted degree and entering the “real world,” Gordon keeps it all the way real. (Photo: Real World Media)

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101 Things to Do Before You Graduate by Jullien Gordon - In what may be applicably and arguably the most useful book of the bunch, motivational speaker Jullien Gordon’s 101 Things to Do Before You Graduate is undoubtedly a must read for all college students. Providing a comprehensive list of experiences that students should seek out before getting that coveted degree and entering the “real world,” Gordon keeps it all the way real. (Photo: Real World Media)

Home by Toni Morrison - Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison explores the intersecting of belonging and displacement in Home, which focuses on Korean War veteran Frank Money, who finds new purpose in his sister, who needs his help to survive. Tackling a series of life trials in this novel, Morrison’s Home proves to be a heavy read, but once completed, it is certain that you will feel empowered. (Photo: Vintage Publishing)

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Home by Toni Morrison - Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison explores the intersecting of belonging and displacement in Home, which focuses on Korean War veteran Frank Money, who finds new purpose in his sister, who needs his help to survive. Tackling a series of life trials in this novel, Morrison’s Home proves to be a heavy read, but once completed, it is certain that you will feel empowered. (Photo: Vintage Publishing)

By Love Possessed: Stories by Lorna Goodison - Dabbling in the realm of short fiction, one of literature’s best kept secrets, Lorna Goodison gives several accounts of relationships that take a variety of courses in one compact read. The short stories include the report of a humble young lady who thinks her luck has turned when she meets a handsome young man in Jamaica and the story of a woman who is reunited with an old flame who returns from life abroad with his new wife in tow. (Photo: Amistad Publishing)

8 / 10

By Love Possessed: Stories by Lorna Goodison - Dabbling in the realm of short fiction, one of literature’s best kept secrets, Lorna Goodison gives several accounts of relationships that take a variety of courses in one compact read. The short stories include the report of a humble young lady who thinks her luck has turned when she meets a handsome young man in Jamaica and the story of a woman who is reunited with an old flame who returns from life abroad with his new wife in tow. (Photo: Amistad Publishing)

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis - Ayana Mathis made a huge splash with her deeply brooding novel The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. Selected to be a part of Oprah’s Book Club and now featured on various bestseller lists, this novel is surely a talker. With a plot focusing on one mother’s plight of raising and protecting her “tribe” of 11 children and one grandchild in the Jim Crow era, many can relate to the hardships that are expressed throughout this novel’s discourse. (Photo: Vintage Publishing)

9 / 10

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis - Ayana Mathis made a huge splash with her deeply brooding novel The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. Selected to be a part of Oprah’s Book Club and now featured on various bestseller lists, this novel is surely a talker. With a plot focusing on one mother’s plight of raising and protecting her “tribe” of 11 children and one grandchild in the Jim Crow era, many can relate to the hardships that are expressed throughout this novel’s discourse. (Photo: Vintage Publishing)

See Now Then by Jamaica Kincaid - Marking Kincaid’s first novel in 10 years, See Now Then gives readers the right amount of novelty and pain that they missed from her exquisitely wrought novels. The heart-wrenching plot explains a failed marriage that many say parallels Kincaid’s own personal life story. Though she denies all associations, many consider See Now Then to be one of her best publications to date. (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

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See Now Then by Jamaica Kincaid - Marking Kincaid’s first novel in 10 years, See Now Then gives readers the right amount of novelty and pain that they missed from her exquisitely wrought novels. The heart-wrenching plot explains a failed marriage that many say parallels Kincaid’s own personal life story. Though she denies all associations, many consider See Now Then to be one of her best publications to date. (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)