Summer is not too far off (even though it doesn’t feel like it today!), and with the regular yearly activities coming to an end and summer ones beginning, I have started to make plans for my summer TBR stack.
So far I have:
Beauty by Robin McKinley: This was recommended to me some time ago by Susannah Rowntree (whose taste is impeccable), and I’ve been hankering after a good Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson: A lovely old re-read. I feel like Stevenson is a kindred spirit in his love of the sea, and I am going to be (in July, hopefully) pulling out my historical fiction project set on the old high seas, so why ever not?
The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye: I was intrigued by a couple reviews friends did of this one, and I’ve been curious to check out a Russian-themed fantasy. I’m calling it market research.
Seamanship in the Age of Sail John Harland: This is a research book that you might remember from my spring TBR. That’s because it is quite a long book! This covers historical changes in shipmaking, maneuvers, and drills as well as many other aspects of handing a square-rigger.
The Young Sea Officer’s Sheet Anchor by Darcy Lever: More research! This one specifically talks about the parts of the ship, what they do, and how to work them.
Two Years Before the Mast by Richard H. Dana: A real life account written by a student who was told to go to sea by his doctors as a treatment for over-studying, this is an intelligent, comprehensive, and entertaining book so far.
And that’s what I’ve got! The research books will take all summer, I’m thinking, and I’ve left room for whatever might strike my fancy mid-summer.
Do you have a summer reading list? If you’ve posted about it, feel free to paste a link in the comments so I can check it out!
Emily Hayse 
Here’s mine! http://thesecondsentence.blogspot.com/2016/05/summer-reading-2016.html
I’m researching on nautical topics too, though in a different era—World War II—but I didn’t include those books on my summer reading list. I have a research shelf on Goodreads and I’m working through that alongside my pleasure reading. I swear I’m starting to think and speak and even dream in naval terms. 🙂
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Oh hey, you’re reading Moccasin Trail! That was such a childhood favorite. 🙂
The naval terms, they get to you! My family teases me about my using them, sometimes. 😉 I had family in the navy during WWII, my grandfather served and survived the war, but his brother was lost in the battle of Leyte Gulf. I’ll have to take a look at your research shelf! ^_^
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This is the shelf of books I’m drawing from (I keep adding to it pretty frequently!) https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6625371-elisabeth?shelf=dl-research and I’m also keeping a shelf of research books already read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6625371-elisabeth?shelf=read-for-dl-research
My grandfather and great-grandfather (his future father-in-law) were both in the Navy too, but neither of them saw action. But the ship my great-grandfather had served on in the peacetime Navy during the 1930s, the USS Quincy, was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island in 1942—some of his former shipmates were among the casualties.
Leyte Gulf is one of the specific battles I’m going to be researching—if you have any book recommendations I’d greatly appreciate them!
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We have one, titled The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors that is pretty good. There might be a little bit of language, but it is carefully researched. There is a large bibliography in the back too. My great-great uncle who died served on the Hoel.
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Your list looks so good! Just like an Emily stack. 🙂 I’ve really been hankering for Treasure Island too, that’s such a good adventure story.
Oooo, and I’m so glad you’re getting out Ship Story!! *hugs precious Specific Charrie*
Hope your summer be filled with joyful and refreshing reads! 😀 ❤
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Thank you! It is quite an Emily stack, methinks. 🙂 I am looking forward to pulling out Ship Story and knocking it off. Summer is a time to be writing about the sea. 🙂 And about that character now….
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Someone recommended Robin McKinley’s work (Beauty being one of two particular stories) to me recently. Let me know what you think of it once you’ve read it!
You mentioned Russian-inspired fantasy and market research… Have you read Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy?
I do have a reading plan for 2016, but I keep track of it with a pile of books at home. (*lol*) And I’m since not physically there at the moment, let’s see what I can remember for upcoming / summer reads:
– A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly (historical fantasy set during the Prohibition Era)
– The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin (LOVE her books!)
– The Vanishing Throne by Elizabeth May (second installment of YA steampunk fantasy series set in 19th century Scotland)
– Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin (YA alternate history that explores the 1950s after Germany won WW2)
– Dreaming Death by J. Katherine Cheney (more fantasy – what can I say? *lol*)
– Legend by Marie Lu (first book of best-selling YA dystopian series)
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I loved Beauty. I picked it up last night and couldn’t put it down. It is what you would call a standard retelling, but it’s now my favorite out of the ones I’ve read. It was well written and the characters were vivid. (She has nice sisters in this version.) 🙂
I have not read the Grisha Trilogy. I’ve heard of it, but now maybe I should look into it!
Your book list sounds fascinating! I haven’t heard of most of these books, but some of the genres/premises sound very intriguing. I’m going to have to look at some of these!
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Ooh, you have some interesting books on here! Especially the nautical ones. I need to read Beauty now, it sounds like just the sort of thing I would love =D I’m still working on a summer TBR, but it’s definitely going to include C. S. Lewis, some fantasy (obviously), and a couple of shorter theological books recommended by parents or friends.
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Thanks! I highly recommend Beauty. I picked it up and could not put it back down. 🙂
Your summer TBR sounds promising already! Can’t beat Lewis, fantasy, and theology!
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Ooo, you’re reading Beauty! Actually, judging from the comments, you already read it and loved it. 🙂 Beauty and the Beast retellings make my heart happy so methinks I must pick this one up soon. I’ve been meaning to for awhile now, but never got around to it. Clearly this state of affairs must change. *firm nod*
Treasure Island. I love it with all the love.
The Crown’s Game is on my summer list too (which I have yet to post about)! Would you be interested in a read-along with me, m’dear? No fear, I completely understand if it doesn’t work out. 🙂
Oh, I remember you mentioning the Ship Story to me! So exciting. =D And Two Years Before The Mast sounds fascinating. *adds to TBR stack* All the best with your research, Em! ❤
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I think you’ll really enjoy Beauty. Actually, I was at a book sale and picked it up for $.50 yesterday, so I am very happy now! 😀
What you said about Treasure Island. Just yes.
I would love to do a read-through with you if we could make it work! I’m just starting it, but I think I have some time before it goes back to the library, so let me know!
Thanks! I am definitely going to be neck deep in it all summer, but I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy it. 😉
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