Books to Read in One Sitting This Summer

This week I read three books, of different genres, each in their own sitting.  And if you’re looking for something to fill a nice, summer day, I recommend you give them a go too.

1. The House of Paper – Carlos Maria Dominguez

This is a beautiful and mysterious 103 page book about bookishness, and I love it.  Prettily illustrated with so many quotes I was itching to underline, I cannot wait to purchase my own copy.  (I checked it out from the library.)  Bibliophiles will adore the title and author references, as well as the social commentary regarding people who build private libraries our of their book collections.  Goes down best early in the morning with your coffee, or perhaps late at night with your tea.

2. The Colossus – Sylvia Plath

 After reading The Bell Jar, I was in desperate need of getting to know Plath a little better.  The Colossus and Other Poems is only 83 pages long, but rich is hauntingly gorgeous descriptions.  I read somewhere that someone once described this collection as the coldest summer poetry available – and I tend to agree. If you’re from Texas, this is a good one to sweat out the morning in your garden just before brunch (or second breakfast) while your kiddo frolics with the dog and collects dead flies.

3. High Moon – E.J. Boley

Werewolves, gypsies, cowboys, and vampires – I just devoured this paranormal western while hiding indoors during the hottest part of the day. If Cormac McCarthy decided to pick up a punctuation habit and tell supernatural tales, it might come out a little bit like this. Except Boley manages something I’ve never experienced in a McCarthy novel – FUN. Using familiar phrases and titles as chapter headings was a nice touch.  Being set in Texas is always a nicer one.  Can’t wait to read Boley’s future endeavors.