We asked authors which book character they would like to accompany them for a day on the beach. Here's what they said.

Summer Reading Discussion Transcript: Discover summer reading ideas share by our Books editors and fellow readers.

Making It Down Alone

Norman Ollstead recounts his unbelievable story of survival in "Crazy for the Storm."

On the Road Again

Go motel-hopping with the former first couple in "Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure."

The Cuisine of Death

A chef deals with a corpse has, voila, appeared in Monica Ali's novel "In the Kitchen."

A Room of Their Own

Kate Walbert covers one century and five generations in her novel, "A Short History of Women."

The Sweet Ache of Being

2009 brings two milestones for children's book author Kenneth Grahame.

Graphically Speaking

Douglas Wolk offers colorful takes on three graphic novels, including "Dead, She Said."

Listen Up

Katharine Powers gets the drop on popular releases now available in audio format.

For Young Readers

Get your kids' noses in some books this summer with selections like Katy Kelly's "Melonhead."

A Toast to the Visible World

John Updike's final works live on in "My Father's Tears and Other Stories."

In the Crucible

Latin American literary giant Eduardo Galeano details his process. | Audio Interview