Looking for something to read this summer? Consider selecting something from this list of books penned by Western Washington University alumni:

“The Emerald Storm: An Ethan Gage Adventure” by William Dietrich (’73). Swashbuckling hero Ethan Gage returns, this time in the Caribbean in 1803.

“Brain Trust: 93 Top Scientists Reveal Lab-Tested Secrets to Surfing, Dating, Dieting, Gambling, Growing Man-Eating Plants, and More!” by Garth Sundem (’01). A mighty tome packed with scientific wisdom on everyday challenges.

“Republic of Nature: An Environmental History of the United States” by Mark Fiege (’81). An exploration of American history, from pre-Revolutionary New England to the Civil Rights Movement, demonstrating how our history is deeply connected to the natural world.

“The Skeleton Picnic: A J.D. Books Mystery” by Michael Norman (’69) BLM Law Enforcement Ranger J.D. Books investigates the disappearance of and antiquities-hunting couple in the desert southwest.

“Tempted by Blood” by Laurie London (Laurie Thompson, ’86). The latest in London’s “Sweetblood” paranormal romance series. Her 2011 “Embraced by Blood” opens with a midnight vampire fight in Western’s Red Square.

“Outside the Lines” by Amy Havatny (’94). A woman’s search for her mentally ill father is an exploration of love, secrets and the complexities of family relationships.

“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey (’95).  A couple homesteading in the brutal Alaska wilderness in 1920 find a mysterious young girl in the woods.

“Wildlife of Lake Washington: Discover Our Region’s Most Fascinating Creatures” by Aaron Baggenstos (’07). Beautiful images of the creatures that make their home in and around Lake Washington.

“The Terror of Living” by Urban Waite (’04). A thriller, set in the Pacific Northwest, called “a hell of a good novel” by Stephen King.

“Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars” by Nick James (’06). A futuristic sci-fi thriller for young adults.

“In Earshot of Water: Notes from the Columbia Plateau” by Paul Lindholdt (’78). A collection of essays about the natural world of the Pacific Northwest.

“Girl Wonder” by Alexa Martin (’95). A young adult novel exploring the complexities of friendships – with a bit of dark humor.

“The Bigfoot Experiment: The Sasquatch Encounters Five” by Clint Romag (’97). The latest chapter in a horror series that takes place in and around the Puget Sound region.

“The Bungalow” by Sarah Jio (’00). A sweeping love story featuring mystery, tragedy and a beach bungalow in the South Pacific.

"The New Boy," by Harley Tat. This one even comes with a trailer.

Greg Cox ('82) has two new novels coming out in Summer 2012.  Riese: Kingdom Falling (Simon & Schuster) is a young-adult science-fiction novel based on a popular webseries, while The Dark Knight Rises (Titan) is the official novelization of the new Batman movie.  He is currently working on new novels based on the Leverage and Star Trek television series.