Bookstores and libraries can get you farther than a tank of gas, and for much less money.

We’re just a few days away from Memorial Day weekend, but in Kitsap County the big festivities were last weekend, in the dual Viking Fest-Armed Forces Day blowout.

There is a wreath laying ceremony dockside in Bremerton at the USS Turner Joy on Monday, but it’s pretty low-key memorial-wise other than that.

For most people this three day weekend marks the start of summer — even if the Northwest weather is predictably uncooperative. And the start of summer means the start of summer reading.

Kitsap libraries start their summer reading programs for kids in a few weeks and it’s not too soon to start thinking about what you want to read while, say, swaying in the hammock on a warm evening, or lying on the beach (with full sun protection, of course) and listening to the lulling waves. Or maybe you need a book to immerse yourself in on a family vacation when you’ve had too much togetherness.

Bookstores these days can be daunting. With so many books competing for your attention and money, where do you start? How about a suggestion list?

Herewith are some suggestions, both of books that I have read and enjoyed, or books that are on my “to read” list. A disclaimer: My reading preference is for literary fiction so I’m not very well versed on commercial fiction genres such as romances or mysteries, or on non-fiction (I get enough non-fiction at work), but I’ll give it a stab.

In the literary fiction category, how about “Broken for You” by Stephanie Kallos, “A Map of Glass” by Jane Urquhat, “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” by Ayelet Waldman, or “A Sudden Country” by Karen Fisher.

“Broken for You” takes place in Seattle, and tells the story of an unlikely alliance between a lonely young woman and a lonely older woman with a brain tumor and a penchant for breaking priceless porcelain figurines. Publisher’s Weekly said: “Though it takes a while to get started, this haunting and memorable debut is reminiscent of early Atwood, peopled by lovably imperfect and eccentric characters.” If you think your family is eccentric, this book will put it into perspective for you.

“A Map of Glass” is set in 19th century eastern Ontario, which doesn’t sound like the most exotic setting, but Urquhart uses her considerable story telling and character building skills to make this an absorbing read. The plot features a middle-aged married woman telling the story of Andrew Woodman, a historical geographer who may have been her lover. Librarian and book expert Nancy Pearl called Urquhart’s writing language “quietly beautiful.” I like that in a book.

“Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” is not an easy read, especially if you’re a mother. The book explores how the central character Emelia copes after her baby dies of SIDS, leaving her as a step-mother to her husband’s 5-year-old son from a previous marriage. Complicating matters is the fact that she was the “other woman” who broke up Jack’s marriage. Guilt and grief are piled on deep. This is not a romance in the traditional sense, but it tells you a lot more about what love is really like. It’s no bed of roses.

I have to say “A Sudden Country” was the most stunning book I read last year. The debut novel by this Lopez Island author, the writing is sparse, lyrical and powerful, the story engaging to the point of obsession. It’s the kind of book you want to read slowly to make it last, but so good you end up racing through it. It’s on my very slim “read again” list.

If you don’t have the time and/or money to vacation in a foreign land this summer, reading travel literature is the next best thing. The genre covers a lot of territory, from humorous travel antics such as Bill Bryce’s “In a Sunburned Country” to voyages of self-discovery like Peter Matthiesson’s iconic “The Snow Leopard” to mountaineer Arlene Blum’s ruggedly adventurous, “Annapurna: A Woman’s Place.”

Think you’re too old for adventure travel? Think again — then read “Travel Unlimited: Uncommon Adventures for the Mature Traveler” by Alison Gardner. This book offers a world of travel possibilities including ecological, cultural and volunteer experiences plus educational opportunities in seminars and schools for the over-50 crowd.

So many books, so little time.

Hopefully, your summer will include enough free time to read beyond Harry Potter and “The DaVinci Code.”