The other night, a colleague, who I usually mentally refer to as The Man in Black, because he is always dressed in utilitarian shades of midnight, asked me to do him a favor and give him a lift. As we chatted in the car, I realized I was missing out on a great opportunity. A few months ago, I attended his book signing over at Antic Hay Books in Asbury Park. After having him inscribe the book for me, I brought it home and put it in my pile of books that need to be read, which is quite high considering I usually bring home two or three a week from the office's book review reject pile. Not that the pile contains bad books, we just don't keep everything sent in obviously. It's not often you get a private sitting with a real live author to discuss their work and I'd blown it. The Chicago Tribune says "Wallace Stroby writes descriptive prose as shiny and sharp as a surgical instrument." I decided it was time for me to crack the book and see just how sharp it is. Five chapters in and I am hooked. I've always assumed that crime fiction isn't really my bag. Although I do love crime tv, movies and in my line of wor, the actual news coverage crimes. This book has me thinking differently about this genre. Tersely written chapters are jammed with description and realistic dialogue. Definitely a page turner. So I am putting out my first official "The summer's almost over, read a book already, Slacker" Reading List to tout the book. These are all books I've read this year and think you'll like, too. I tried to pick something for everyone. The Heartbreak Lounge by Wallace Stroby. The Secret Fruit of Peter Paddington by Brian Francis. A touching and funny tale of an overweight thirteen year old boy whose obsesses over his newly emerging nipples and the cute boys at school. A wise cracking teenaged hag backs him up. Ship Sooner by Mary Sullivan. A girl's coming of age novel that is fabulously descriptive and takes unexpected turns. Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney. A trio of Australian sisters that were child stars are now grown, fueding and thrown back together by their clever grandmama who reminds me of Auntie Mame and had me cackling at her antics. Funnny and sad, perfect weight for the beach or wiling away an afternoon in the shade. Misfortuneby Wesley Stace The merry minstrel known as John Wesley Harding, penned this under his real name and put all his training at Oxford to good use in this intriguing Dickensanian tale of a boy raised as a girl and his squabbling fantastically rich English family. Very Masterpiece Theatre but with naughty bits. It's a mystery, a love story, a tale of finding one's own path however odd. It's a must read. Especially if you are a self respecting fan of Wes's music. Fat Girl by Judith Morris. A biographical story that will have you wriggling in your bathing suit this summer thinking about your own relationship with food as Morris lasbasts herself over hers. The first book I read of the year, I'm still thinking about it. The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas by Davy Rothbart. A slim volume of stories by the creator of Found Magazine. Tales from the road mostly of love and loss. The tears are hot, the kisses long, the tales are tall and the book is a winner. Look for a local stop of Davy's tour backing the book. Around the World in Eighty Datesby Jennifer Cox. I thought this apropos reading for travel so I read it on my summer vacation. British travel afficianado, Cox, asks her friends to help her find her soulmate and is willing to travel the world to find him. She meets a slew of men. Some dates howlingly funny others sorta pathetic.