Summer Book Preview

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

Lisa See made a name for herself with her bestselling novels Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love, and since then she has been on the lists of many as an author to watch out for in 2011. In May, See will be releasing her seventh novel Dreams of Joy which will mark the return of the protagonists Pearl, May and Joy from her novel Shanghai Girls. Joy, Pearl's daughter, angrily runs off to China after discovering shocking details of her past. The story chronicles the journey of Joy as well as her mother's journey to find her and the many obstacles and old demons they must confront. In this new novel, See will use the same elements of family, love and nation pride to tell her most fixating story yet.

A Week in Summer by Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy has written numerous bestsellers that garnered the attention of many, including Oprah Winfrey who interviewed her. This summer, she'll be releasing A Week in Summer, a book about a husband and wife who have lost the spark in their marriage. After the wife suggests a trip for just the two of them, the couple embarks on a summer retreat to Ireland where they learn a lot about the culture and each other. A Week in Summer offers a light story for all of those looking to stray away from heavy dramas this summer. It's perfect for lazy days around the house or at the beach.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Not all summer books are about beautiful weather, steamy romances and happy families. In Melissa Marr's debut adult novel,she attempts to recreate the success that she's found with her young adult novels. Graveminder is about protagonist Rebekkah Barrow who, after the death of her grandmother, discovers that there's a lot more to the relationship between the living and the dead — at least when her small town of Claysville is concerned. With the tagline "Sleep well and stay where I put you," Carr offers a frightening tale that will add some chill to the summer season.