By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Correspondent
June 04, 2009 12:14 am Even now — especially now — you need a break. For way too long, you've been scrimping and saving, concerned about your finances, your job, the mortgage, college funds and the economy in general. So this summer, don't you think it's a good idea to take a break, even if it's just in your mind, or within the pages of some new book releases? May has already given us "Pretty in Plaid" by Jen Lancaster, "40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation" by James Carville with Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza, and "Wicked Prey" by John Sandford. You can also look for "Whispered Lies" by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Diana Love, "5 Principles for a Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours" by Newt Gingrich and Jackie Gingrich Cushman, and "My Remarkable Journey" by Larry King. Here is what's in store for the rest of the summer: JUNE Kick off the official beginning of summer with "Medusa: A Novel from NUMA Files" by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos. Look for "Skin Trade" by Laurell K. Hamilton. Grab "Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat" by the editors of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and enjoy a fun project with the kids. Relax with "The Story Sisters" by Alice Hoffman or "Sisters and Husbands" by Connie Briscoe. Other goodies you won't want to miss: "Roadside Crosses: A Kathryn Dance Novel" by Jeffery Deaver, "Singing Was the Easy Part" by Vic Damone with David Chanoff, "The ESPN Mighty Book of Sports Knowledge" by Steve Wulf, "A Rogue of My Own" by Johanna Lindsey, "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich, "Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon" by Buzz Aldrin, and (deep breath) "Return to Sullivan's Island" by Dorothea Benton Frank. Give the kids a "You did well in school" gift by looking for "Being Nikki: An Airhead Novel" by Meg Cabot, "Pendragon: The Soldiers of Halla" by D.J. MacHale, "The Real Real" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, or "Crazy Hair" by Neil Gaiman. And continue to keep them reading with "Goosebumps HorrorLand #11: Escape from HorrorLand" by R.L. Stine, "I Spy A to Z" by Jean Marzollo, with photos by Walter Wick, and "Football Champ" by Tim Green. JULY Doesn't it seem like midsummer is a lazy time? Perfect for these reads: "Black Hills" by Nora Roberts or "Guardian of Lies" by Steve Martini. Maybe "The Husband Habit" by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez or "Vixen Manual: How to Find, Seduce, and Keep the Man You Want" by Karrine Steffans. Or how about "Fire and Ice" by J.A. Jance or "Resurrecting Midnight" by Eric Jerome Dickey. Perhaps you'd prefer "Twenties Girl" by Sophie Kinsella, "Don't Know Much About Literature" by Kenneth C. Davis or "Unconditionally Single" by Mary B. Morrison. For the younger set, "Marley Goes to School" by John Grogan will do the trick, as will "Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School" by Barbara Park and "Magic Tree House #42: A Good Night for Ghosts" by Mary Pope Osborne. AUGUST You've still got lots of reading time, so look for "Intervention" by Robin Cook and "The Traffickers: A Badge of Honor Novel" by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV. Check out "Alibi" by Teri Woods and "Hitler's War" by Harry Turtledove. Don't forget "South of Broad" by Pat Conroy or "Rhino Ranch" by Larry McMurtry. And you'll want to find "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" by J. Randy Taraborrelli, "Soul of a Dog" by Jon Katz, "Even Money" by Dick and Felix Francis, "God Ain't Blind" by Mary Monroe, and "Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness" by Tracy Kidder. To get the kids prepared for heading back to school, hand them "Breaking Dawn Special Edition" by Stephenie Meyer, "Another Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone, "Night-Night, Little Pookie" by Sandra Boynton, and "Oceanology", ed. by Dugald A. Steer. Have a great summer. Happy reading! What's got locals' interest? We asked beachgoers at Salisbury Beach last week what books they're reading at the beach this summer, and what ones they'd like to read. Here's what they had to say: Gayl Heinz, 58, of Amesbury Currently reading: "Eclipse" by Stephenie Myers Wants to read: "New Moon" by Stephenie Myers Comments: Heinz was reading the second book in the Twilight series, "Eclipse." She said she likes these books because they are a good escape because of the different story line, and she can easily get distracted from other things while reading them. "It's easier to read when you're out on the beach away from distractions and home," she said. After she is finished with the second book in the series, she plans to move on to the third, "New Moon." Chull Israel (age not given) of North Andover Currently reading: "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz Wants to read: "No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy Comments: "When I need something to read, anything on the New York Times Best-Seller List is what I look for," Israel said. "It's relaxing to me; it's entertainment." Holly Cresta, 32, of Chelmsford Currently reading: "Stone Kiss" by Kay Fellerman Wants to read: "Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler Comments: Cresta said she's reading "Stone Kiss" because she enjoys murder mysteries. She find reading during the summer "a great escape." Phillip Ducell (age not given) of Oxford Currently reading: "High Five" by Janet Evanovich Wants to read: Anything new recommended by his wife Comments: "I like reading almost everything," Ducell said. "I read whatever my wife says was funny and then sometimes, now and then, some trashy books about anything." — Julianne Webster, staff writer
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