What to read?

Several people have asked me for more recommendations for summer reading. After all, it IS my favorite thing to do. Not just during the summer, but anytime of the year, anytime of the day. So…I’ve created a relatively random list separated into semi-accurate categories. As far as rating the books: Here is the key.

Ending: Was the ending worth it?
Characters: Do I still think about the characters?
Engagement: How easy was it to put the book down? (out of 3, 3 being hard to put it down)
Theme: Was there a moral/societal issue worth exploring?
Rating: Overall rating? (out of 5, 5 being the high score)

And just to qualify some of my ratings, sometimes the theme is stronger than the characters, or the ending is better than the character development or even the plot. Sometimes the characters out-weigh all. So take it for what its worth. I love all these books and would read them all again this summer if I didn’t have so many other books on my list yet to read.

Young/adolescent

Candy Shop Wars by Brandon Mull –

Ending: yes
Characters: sometimes
Engagement: 1
Theme: nothing major
Rating: 3
Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: absolutely, so many levels
Rating: 5

Women/coming of age

These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Kidd
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Ending: ended too soon, in a good way. I just wanted more, more, more
Characters: absolutely
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5

Adventure/sci-fi

Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Ending: great for a discussion
Characters: not really
Engagement: 2
Theme: sort of, sure
Rating: 4
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Ending: yes
Characters: not really
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes, great discussion
Rating: 5
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Ending: yes
Characters: no
Engagement: 2
Theme: everyone should be thinking about this
Rating: 5
Pope Joan by Donna Cross
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5 – this book really has it all.

Classic

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: yes
Rating: 5 – it just doesn’t get better than this. It really doesn’t.
Oedipus the King by sophocles
Ending: yes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 1 – its challenging to read Greek theater prose, it just is.
Theme: yes, yes, and yes
Rating: 5

Series

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Ending: sort of, but its not over yet
Characters: yes
Engagement: 3
Theme: love story
Rating: 4
Books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn
Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander
Ending: yes
Characters: no
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
Books: The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King
Women of Genesis by Orson Scott Card
Ending: not really – I want to read about the 12 tribes
Characters: yes
Engagement: 2
Theme: yes
Rating: 4
Books: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah

Feel free to share any of your good reads in the comments. We would all benefit! Happy Reading!!!!

Favorite Summer Read

There is one book that stands out above others as my favorite summertime read. Harry Potter? No. Twilight? No. Don't misunderstand. I love those books and am waiting with bated breath for "Breaking Dawn." But my summer fave is "The Count of Monte Cristo." I love the depth of the passion found in both the charity and forgivness and the revenge. I love the frailty of human nature and the weakness of character, even in noble and honorable men. I am sorrowed at the betrayal, the lost love and the hardships thrown upon the characters. I am impressed and delighted by the discovery of knowledge and intelligence in the lowliest of places. I am captivated by the pursuit of revenge and judgment over love and mercy. I was swept away by the passion, vigor, love and hate of this novel and say to anyone looking for a summer read...read "The Count of Monte Cristo." (Abriged version recommended.)

Please indulge me in sharing two favorite excerpts.

(When Dantes first sees the isand, Monte Cristo)
"At seven o'cock the next evening all was ready, at ten minutes past seven they rounded the lighthouse just as the beacon was kindled. The sea was calm with a fresh wind blowing from the south-east; they sailed under a sky of azure where God was also lighting up his lanterns, each one of which is a world."


Having repaid, in kind, those who had treated him kindly, Dante prepares to repay those by whom he has not been treated well.
""Now, farewell to kindness, humanity, gratitude," said he. "Farewell to all the sentiments which rejoice the heart. I have played the part of Providence in recompensing the good, may the god of vengeance now permit me to punish the wicked!" Muttering these words, he made a sign, and the yacht immediately put out to sea."

And then again, the movie is pretty great. But the book is better. Let me refer you once again to the excerpts provided above. :)