50 Shades of Summer Reading

By SheSpeaksTeam Jun 20, 2012

Are you dreaming of a cool iced drink by the pool or is it the lure of a brightly colored beach towel next to a shimmering ocean that has you daydreaming? Well the chances are your image of summer relaxation also includes a book or two. Do you still enjoy the feel of paper books for your summer page-turner or will you be downloading your reading to a nook, kindle or ipad.

Many women have already read this year's stealthy British blockbuster 50 Shades of Grey, and conversation has now turned to the sequel 50 Shades Darker and the actors that will play the lead characters in the movie. But if you are looking for a book that will stimulate you in a different way, you are probably in need of some quick recommendations.

Save yourself the last minute grab-a-book in the airport, check out our starter list for the new releases below and add your own suggestions and recommendations in the comments.

If you have read 50 Shades of Grey...Who would you cast in the leading roles of Ana and Christian?

SPRING FEVER, by Mary Kay Andrews

This is an easy summer read that begins years after a divorce and introduces some strong characters that are not focused on the predictable exes drama but instead the simple realisation of life and relationships. The book does a great job of bringing you close to their 'reality' in a near and readable story. Spring Fever was written byMary Kay Andrews who also wrote Summer Rentals.

GONE GIRL, by Gillian Flynn

This story is dark and enveloping. The characters and the situation are rich and inviting and then the plot takes some wonderful twists where the details of a 5 year marriage suddenly become less and less clear and the plan to find a missing wife reveals some disturbing truths and an unpredictable ending.

KISS THE DEAD, by Laurell K. Hamilton

A female U.S. Marshal tracks down a teenage girl that is abducted by vampires. Her unexpected discovery when she finds the girl is a group of unwilling vampires who don't wish to live the vampire life and serve a master. The dynamic of the U.S. Marshal and the vampire community creates a great read for those who like Vampire stories.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER, by E. L. James

The romance of Ana and Christian is continued through the eyes of Ana. The story is still playful and details the characters in a carefully woven plot and sub plots that bring readers up close and maybe uncomfortable in revealing how Ana and Christian move through their lives together.

UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand

From the author of Seabiscuit this is a true and heroic account of a young athlete who worked hard to be a runner in the Berlin Olympics. But Zamperini's destiny changed with World War II when he was forced to keep himself and a pilot alive on a raft for an incredible number of days only to be captured and sent to Japanese War Camp where his fame became a tool for propoganda and Zamperini became a focus for unthinkable tortures. An amazing and inspiring story, well written.

Please share the books that keep you reading this summer!

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Comments

by pattywishinmi | ISHPEMING, MI

Jun 20, 2012

I read the 50 Shades Trilogy, I didn't think it was as bad as I heard it was. I liked the story line, I'm not an avid reader, these books were a fast read. I enjoyed them, when I finished the 3rd book I was wishing there was another one to continue the story. As for the movie I haven't a clue who should play the characters.

by Indyanna63 | Bloomington, IN

Jun 20, 2012

Maybe I'm behind, but I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire, the second in the series by Stieg Larsson. Just lke The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the cast of characters is knee-deep in plotting, investigating, and murder. Suspenseful!

by lms605 | MOBILE, AL

Jun 20, 2012

I read all year round, thanks fir the suggestions!

by Paintedglass | MARTIN, TN

Jun 20, 2012

I just finished reading "The Mudbug" and loved it.

by mszoeyluv | LANCASTER, KY

Jun 20, 2012

I ave not read the trilogy, yet. Currently I am working on a handful of books including The Hangman's Daughter, The Help and The Hunger Games trilogy.

by gg2manpa | FONTANA, CA

Jun 20, 2012

Gonna be spending some time at the beach this summer so thanks for different book titles.

by hattana | VALLEY STREAM, NY

Jun 20, 2012

Who would I like to see cast? The ever weird Angelina and Brad. Sooo strange, they fit the bill!

by hattana | VALLEY STREAM, NY

Jun 20, 2012

Hmmm....I read the first and the last "Freed". Skipped the one in between but sure could've predicted what happened from "Freed". I think it overrated and I for one was tired of reading about their sexual trysts. It was unbelievable and so predictable. He was a broken man and I can understand that. Just thought the writing was poor.

by hscottage | MASON, OH

Jun 20, 2012

I have just spent the last 2 days loading my kindle up with books so I can stay busy reading over the next few months. I will check these out.

by MiEliDavis | Richland, MO

Jun 20, 2012

I've not read the 50 shades series, but I have read Anne Rices Sleeping beauty series & I thought it was intense! I'm one of those that read on both my kindle & an actual paper paged book! Books have a way of taking you any & every place & I LOVE THAT!!!!

by atobols | Pleasanton, CA

Jun 20, 2012

My job is to read and review books so I read a lot (179 books so far this year). I read the first 2 of the 50 shades trilogy, they were OK. The author sent me the third (this was back when she was still doing blog hops and trying to get people to read the books) but I haven't brought myself to read it yet. Honestly, I'm not sure I ever will. There are much better books out there that have some BDSM if that's your thing, The Brown Siblings by Lauren Dane would be one. Lately I've been on an M/M romance kick so I'll be reading a lot of those. I'll definitely be reading everything by Ethan Day this summer. His books crack me up. Other than that, I'm really looking forward to Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh, Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost and Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter. The first one is already out and the next 2 will be released on June 28th. I can't wait!!!

by samford99 | LOUISVILLE, KY

Jun 20, 2012

I haven't read or heard of the series.

by hotwhllvr79 | PORT ST LUCIE, FL

Jun 20, 2012

No matter WHO plays it, how can they possibly make that without it being rated MA? True story, I just finished the first 50 Shades the other day, and when I went to say someone's name in a conversation, it came out Christian instead of Tristan!

by mom2abbyrosemarie | cincinnati, OH

Jun 20, 2012

I read the 50 shades trilogy 3 xs and it was just as interesting the 2nd and 3rd time. These are the best books i have ever read! It's quite spiced up my marriage as well...hehe On Casting.. Although Jennifer Love Hewitt fits the looks, I feel she would be too old for the part. Ana is 21/22 yrs old. I don't think Hewitt could pull that one off ;) I do love Hewitt as an actress!! She awesome in the Client list!

by Slytherpuff | Herndon, VA

Jun 20, 2012

Gah! No carriage returns allowed in the comments? That makes it difficult to have a coherent response.