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Kevin Broccoli's Summer Reading List

Looking for a good, summer read? These books are fantastic--and they're all slim enough to bring to the beach.

Here are my summer reading picks.

Just call me Oprah.

1) Social Crimes by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

As far as chick lit goes, this is the best. It's All About Eve meets The Devil Wears Prada. A frothy (that's right, I said frothy) soap opera that you can knock off in one trip to the beach. If you love it, there's a sequel--One Dangerous Lady (don't worry, it's not Oprah's biography.)

2) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The best autobiography about mountain people I've ever read--okay, don't run yet. Jeannette Walls' childhood was crazy, funny, and at times, a giant FML post. That being said, she's grew up to be one hell of a good writer. Everyone I recommend this book to ends up loving it. So, you know, thank me later.

3) Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

A family of circus freaks. Albino hunchback protagonists. Machiavellian fish boys. Incest. Tragedy. Not interested? Mark my words: It will be your new favorite book.

4) Sway by Ori and Rom Brafman

I know all of you have read Malcolm Gladwell, because if you haven't, you're missing out on an amazing writer, but rather than waste time by recommending you read everything he's ever written--I'll recommend this little book that rips him off--and does it sooo well. The anecdotes in this book are fantastic--especially the one about the guy on the French version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." He used his "Ask the Audience" lifeline when he didn't know the answer to--are you ready for this?--"The Earth revolves around the...what?" What happened then? The majority of the audience voted for...the Moon. The reason why is downright awesome.

5) Vanessa and Virginia by Susan Sellers

A beautifully written little novel from Vanessa Bell's point of view. I got the idea for a monologue I wrote called "Kate Mattison" from it. It's got so many amazing images, and the relationship between the two sisters is incredibly well done. Plus, all the juicy stuff is rooted in fact, and you know I love that.

6) Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

If you want to read a classic this summer, read this under-appreciated little gem. John Steinbeck travels around the country in a trailer with his dog, Charley. He decided that after writing about America and its people for so long, he needed to actually get out there and meet them. In the process, America blows the mind of one of its greatest writers. How cool is that?

7) The Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton

Who doesn't love a good mystery? Well, here are eighteen of them (and counting) that are all worthy of being guilty pleasures. Kinsey is one of my favorite characters, and Sue Grafton knows how to keep everything simple but the case Kinsey is solving. Perfect for airports, train stations, and long bus rides.

8) How Fiction Works by James Woods

No, not that James Woods. This James Woods does the impossible--he writes a book about writing and reading fiction that doesn't come across as pretentious or incoherent. Using accessible examples and short chapters, he makes you go "Wow, I never thought of it that way..." over and over again, until you find yourself willingly taking notes on what you're reading. Yup, it's that good.

9) Dishwasher: One Man's Quest to Wash Dishes in All 50 States by Peter Jordan.

Need I say more?

10) Don't Cry by Mary Gaitskill

Mary Gaitskill is one of my favorite writers. Warning: She's not exactly the silliest chick you could ever hope to meet. Her writing is usually raw and unflinching. Her novel Veronica is brilliant and at the same time, so gut-wrenching, it's nearly unreadable. That's why I put this collection of short stories last--By the time you're done reading it, it'll be fall, and you'll be ready to mellow out a little bit.

Happy Reading

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