Summer Books and Summer Reading 2009 NPR presents the best fiction, nonfiction, mysteries and cookbooks for summer 2009. Get book recommendations, find recipes and browse excerpts.

Special Series

Summer Books 2009

NPR presents the best fiction, nonfiction, mysteries and cookbooks for summer 2009.

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Audience Picks: 100 Best Beach Books Ever

July 29, 2009 • Almost 16,000 of you voted in our Best Beach Books poll. Whether such a vote can determine literary quality, who can say? But if there's one thing a multitude of book-loving NPR types can definitely do, it's pick books that appeal ... to book-loving NPR types.

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Stranger Than Fiction: Summer Science Books

July 26, 2009 • Our search for the most fascinating new science books finds true tales of Aztec super-athletes, criminal butterfly collectors, Isaac Newton's unknown detective career and the mysteries of the human stomach and brain.

On The Hunt For Fabulous Fiction

May 26, 2009 • All too often, "summer reading" is synonymous with brainless and poorly constructed novels that leave you unsatisfied. But here are five books that will suit your palate just fine this summer.

For Summer Sleuths: Best Mystery, Crime Novels

May 26, 2009 • Book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends five gripping works of fiction to keep you on the edge of your seat this summer. From serial killers to stashed jewels to snakes on the loose, these mysteries have it all.

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Excerpts: Recommended Books

August 20, 2009 • Having trouble judging our summer reads by their covers? No problem — this is where we open those covers to give you a sample of what's inside.

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Critics' Lists: Summer '09

August 20, 2009 • In which our reviewers name their top picks of the season. We'll add new lists throughout the summer.

100 Best Beach Books Ever: The 200 Finalists

July 20, 2009 • For those who just can't wait until we unveil the results July 29, here is the complete list of finalists, nominated by you and the NPR Books Board. Happy reading!

Critics' Lists: Summer '09

Librarian Nancy Pearl Picks Summer's Best Books

June 19, 2009 • Librarian Nancy Pearl's book list includes a somber, genre-defying graphic novel about Doctors Without Borders volunteers, and a whimsical first novel about a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Librarian Nancy Pearl Picks Summer's Best Books

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Nominations: Best Beach Books Of All Time

June 18, 2009 • NPR is drawing up a list of the best beach books ever, and we need you to help by nominating your favorite summer reads.

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Cookbooks and Recipes

May 26, 2009 • This year's collection of summer cookbooks features an exploration of the exotic by ferocious, passionate cooks who aren't afraid to reach into the deepest corners of the pantry.