You know, I'm book-addicted. I need a book to accompany me whereever I go. Whether it may be the train, a university lecture, a holiday or a visit at my doctor. I'm not happy when I don't have a book in my bag. Of course reading in a nice surrounding gives me the most pleasure: A winter evening, with the dark outside, a few candels burning, good music playing and a cup of delicious hot tea. Or the other extreme: A hot Sunday afternoon, nothing to do but sit in the garden with a thrilling book. The birds are singing, the neighboorhood kids make loud noises and a lawnmower is humming somewhere. These days call for special books and if you don't know what to to read on your next lazy Sunday, here are my picks.

"Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice: I admit, it is a bit weird to sit in the sun and read a book about vampires, yet I have to include Anne Rice here since this novel is a) a classic and b) one of my favourite reads ever. It tells the story of Louis, a late 18th century plantation owner who is made a vampire by the enthralling Lestat. While Lestat loves his un-life, kills with pleasure and plays with his victims, Louis cannot endure his existing. He is unable to kill just to survive and keeps asking questions about how creatures like them can exist under the eyes of God. "Interview with the Vampire" is a fascinating read, full of deep sadness and the conclusion that God isn't a loving being if he can allow evil to roam free.

"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte: Emily Bronte's only novel tells the tale of a twisted relationship between the adopted Heatcliff and the beautiful Catherine. Both, in some way, love each other, but they cannot seem to come together. Sympathizing with them is made very difficult, because they are mean, brutal and uncaring of character. Their unhappiness is the doom of two families and only the next generations can make up what Heathcliff and Catherine destroyed. Who's had enough of fluffy-pinkish love-stories with happy endings should try "Wuthering Heights".

"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon: This one is for women only, I couldn't imagine a man reading this. In this heavy volume (the start of a whole series) Claire timetravels to the Scotland of 1746 only to meet tall, red-haired, well-muscled and charming Jamie Frazer. Married out of necessity both soon fall in love with each other, but happy times are soon to end, because a revolution is starting in Scotland and Jamie and Claire must fight for the freedom of the country. Only, Claire knows how the uprising will end and tries desperately to change the course of things. The 600 pages are perfect for a sunny weekend and full of good-looking and heroic men, caring women and beautiful Scottish landscape. If Jamie doesn't get you hooked, something's wrong with you;-)