Have I mentioned that I am a bookworm? I think this just runs in my family. Growing up, I never saw either of my parents without a book to read, and I honestly can’t remember a time in my life since second grade when I also didn’t have a book to read. Since having a child, my reading time has been severely limited, and it now takes me much longer to finish a book, but no matter what, I always have to read, even if just for a few minutes, before going to bed.

Since I know I’m always looking for new books to read, I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading this summer. I always love to read posts about what others are reading.

Furious Love – a story about the stormy relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Every so often I need brain candy, and this fits the bill. Part biography and part sleazy gossip rag, it’s a great read so far.

Her Fearful Symmetry – by the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife. I think this was a pretty good book. I like the way the author treats the idea of ghosts, just like she did time travel. It just is, but that’s not really what the story is about. I was intrigued from page one.

The Life of Elizabeth I – another of my nerdy interests, Tudor England. Every year or so I like to read a biography with weight. This one took me ages to get through but it was good. A lot of biographies of this time period are so dry that it’s impossible to get through them, for me anyway. But this one was actually written in a very readable way.

Cut, Paste, Kill – The fourth Lomax & Biggs mystery, it certainly didn’t disappoint. I read it in one day – on my flight to BlogHer. I’m sure my seat mate on the plane thought I was insane because I was laughing out loud at the one liners. As usual. I will eagerly await the fifth in the series.

Shanghai Girls – Interesting and heartbreaking at the same time. Contains lots of information about the effects of WWII on China and the US, interwoven with a great story of sisters who survive by relying on each other.

I’ve read more stuff this summer but those are the stand outs. Of course I also read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, but either you love those books or you hate them so I won’t bother talking about it. I happen to love them.

So come on, what are you reading?