WRA summer reading 13 v3_Summer reading 04.qxd 4/30/2013 3:43 PM Page 7
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (The) (Mark Haddon, 2004) Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the color yellow. This improbable story of Christopher’s quest to investigate the suspicious death of a neighborhood dog makes for one of the most captivating, unusual, and widely heralded novels in recent years.* Dance with Dragons (A) (George R. R. Martin, 2011) In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again—beset by newly emerging threats from every direction.* The fifth novel in the A Song of Fire and Ice series including A Game of Thrones (1996), A Clash of Kings (1999), A Storm of Swords (2000), and A Feast for Crows (2005). Detective/Crime/Mystery Writers: Try any book by the following mystery writers: Donna Andrews (featuring blacksmith Meg Langslow in a humorous series); Nancy Atherton (featuring amateur sleuth Lori Shepard with help from her ghostly Aunt Dimity); Stephanie Barron (featuring 19th century author Jane Austen as an amateur sleuth); Heather Blake (featuring “Wishcrafter” –a witch who can grant wishes—Darcy Merriweather) C. J. Box (featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett); Joanna Fluke (featuring bakery owner and amateur sleuth Hannah Swensen); Kathryn Miller Haines (set during World War II, featuring actress and amateur sleuth Rosie Winter) Laurie R. King (featuring Mary Russell, former protégé to Sherlock Holmes); Edward Marston (look for the Domesday series set in medieval England featuring commissioner Ralph Delchard); Alexander McCall Smith (featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner of Botswana’s #1 Ladies Detective Agency); Elizabeth Peters (featuring Edwardian Egyptologist Amanda Peabody); Ellis Peters (mysteries of the medieval monk, Brother Cadfael); Spencer Quinn (featuring down-on-his- luck private investigator Bernie and his faithful canine companion—and series narrator, Chet); Kathy Reichs (Virals series featuring teen sleuth Tory Brennan) Les Roberts (featuring Cleveland private detective Milan Jacovich); Clea Simon (featuring Boston journalist Theda Krakow and her feline friend, Musetta). Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886) Idealistic young scientist Henry Jekyll struggles to unlock the secrets of the soul. Testing chemicals in his lab, he drinks a mixture he hopes will isolate—and eliminate—human evil. Instead it unleashes the dark forces within him, transforming him into the hideous and murderous Mr. Hyde.*
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