Candice Hughes

Summer is traditionally a time when people think of kicking back on warm sand under a blue sky with a great book. The Wall Street Journal (this past Friday) published the largest print runs of the season (which clearly indicate what the publishing industry believes large numbers of people will be reading).

Janet Evanovich’s upcoming novel, Sizzling Sixteen, came out on top with a print run of 2.5 million. When you consider that a successful book sells 5,000 copies, the print run for Sizzling Sixteen is astounding. Of course, the article goes on to mention that Janet’s summer 2009 novel in her Stephanie Plum series sold nearly a million copies. Clearly her track records suggests outstanding sales this summer.

I had the pleasure of hearing Janet speak at last year’s RWA National conference. She gave the audience snippets of her journey as a writer that were both witty and touching. She was passionate about writing, thrilled to have many fans, yet humbled by her view from the top. All this as she hobbled around the stage on a broken foot. Imagine what she’s like when not weighed down by an appendage encased in a cement-like block.

Janet’s new book comes out later this month.

As part of my current summer reading, I’ve finally gotten my hands on the third and last Stieg Larrson book. I will be happily devouring it, while despairing all the while that there will never be another one.

Recently I read the first two Stieg Larsson detective novels. I had to wait weeks for each one at my local library because the waiting list was pretty long.

I believe one reason these novels are so popular is the female protagonist. Mr. Larsson created a very engaging and unusual female character, Lisbeth. I admit I liked her much better than the male protagonist. What makes her so interesting? I feel the whole constellation of traits, particularly her intelligence combined with her anti-social behavior (bordering on Asperger’s syndrome). Some people debate whether a man can create an accurate female character or a woman an accurate male character. I feel Larsson has done an excellent job with Lisbeth. Lisbeth may not be a “girly girl”, but she is believable as a female character. One aspect Larsson gets right is Lisbeth’s emotional involvement with people in her life. In contrast, his male protagonist (Blomkvist) often seems disconnected with people around him.

I am still waiting for the third book (another long long list of readers). Interest in reading these books is still amazingly strong. I was motivated to read the first book after observing a woman buying five copies of the first book at a large  (to be unnamed) book store.

The saddest part of the story is that Stieg Larsson is no longer with us to keep the story going. I can only imagine what other fantastic books he’d had written if he’d had time.