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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Summer Reading List

8/14/2017

 
In honor of my first official day back to work, I'd like to share my summer reading list. Each May, I encourage (beg) my students to read at least a few minutes each day of their summer vacation. Some read like crazy; they'll be on my Battle of the Books team, but most don't. 

As an educator, I find that it's important to keep on learning myself. I wrote a digital textbook last year that addressed the newly adopted Next Generation Science Standards. That took months of research. I also read all year long and share what I am reading with my students. They're always surprised that I read for fun. This summer, I read 16 books in 10 weeks.

I've been hooked on early to mid-twentieth century fare, which is not my typical area of interest. I am an eclectic reader for sure, but this recent change in taste is ... interesting. I tried to read a lighter piece in between the heavier ones because some were just meatyier and harder to digest.

With that, here's my summer reading list, in no particular order.
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I'll never look at Veteran's Day the same again.
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Rumpelstiltskin like you've never read.
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A little dated, but I enjoyed the prophetic nature of the story.
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Book 2 is in my queue, but how many rapes can you read about?
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Loved the allegories in the novel.
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Well written contemporary fiction.
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I wonder what took me so long to read this? Excellent, excellent book.
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Not a sequel but a wonderful spin-off!
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Super fun read, but then I love fairytales. And dogs. I have another of her books in my queue.
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Super unique part of WWII - READ IT!
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Meh. Too much ambiguity about the main character's moral fiber.
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WTH? I didn't get it. Don't shoot me.
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This book has nothing on 50 Shades!
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Interesting read, but ... a little weird.
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Historical fiction about the genocide of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) during WWI. Very well written!
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Another contemporary selection, but oh, so tender.
I keep at least 5 - 10 books ready to go in my Kindle. Between a few random titles I have waiting and the Dr. Thorndyke collection (22 novels and 32 short stories), I should have plenty to read during the school year. Of course, now that school has started, I'll be reading pages a day instead of chapters. 
​
Have you read anything good lately?
Jan link
8/14/2017 08:59:34 am

I'll have to cue up The Wish Granter. I like books like that!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/14/2017 11:57:00 am

Me too! :0)

Cheryl
8/14/2017 10:10:41 am

I very much enjoyed Robin McKinley's books The Blue Sword and The Hero And The Crown, and the horses are done so well you know she is a horse person. I highly recommend both.

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/14/2017 11:58:00 am

I bought the Hero and the Crown. Glad to know it's a good one!

Amanda link
8/17/2017 08:49:21 am

YES x1000000. I came here specifically to recommend both of those. The Hero and the Crown is my favorite of the two but they're both so superb that's a tiny distinction.

Cheryl
8/14/2017 10:15:03 am

I meant to mention another recent favorite, Ready Player One. Apparently it is being made into a movie but as usual I can't imagine the book not being better!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/14/2017 11:59:24 am

I googled it - interesting premise. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Val
8/14/2017 10:17:52 am

Finally read Chosen Forever and Saddled by Susan Richards. Her first book was excellent, too.

I like to read some titles that I can talk about with my students. My next one will be The House of the Scorpion. I usually prefer non-fiction, but loved The Hunger Games series two summers ago. The books were so good that they ruined the movies for me, but that is okay.

I love reading on Kindle, but have started picking up some paperbacks recently, because I want my kids tho see me reading a book. If I am looking at a tablet, they get antsy for screen time which I am constantly working to limit.

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/14/2017 12:01:33 pm

I read Chosen by a Horse and Chosen Forever. I thought they were excellent, but I haven't read any of her others.

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/14/2017 12:03:41 pm

Wanted to add ... I had 5 ipads in my room loaded with books. When I do a read aloud, the kids are eager to follow because the teams all share the ipad to follow along. 5th graders love screen time as much as the older kids. :0)

Olivia link
8/16/2017 11:12:03 pm

Have you read Uprooted by Naomi Novik? If you like McKinley (and I really like her works) you'll probably like Uprooted.

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/21/2017 05:05:33 am

No, but I guess I should check it out? :0)

Amanda link
8/17/2017 08:50:42 am

I LOVED All Quiet on the Western Front. I've read most of the others on your list and liked them all quite well too, though I found Deerskin a difficult read. Good list!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/21/2017 05:15:18 am

Since publishing this list, I've finished/started two more: Justin Cronin's the 12 (I read the Passage a few years ago) which was very good. I just started the Hero and the Crown last night. I am definitely an eclectic reader with tastes that vary widely. :0)

Cheryl
9/10/2017 12:05:31 pm

I just saw The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Kindle version) is on sale today on Amazon. You might like to pick it up! The book description sounds more...grim than I found the book. The author tells a very good story, with excellent characterization and nifty turns of phrase.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/10/2017 01:04:55 pm

It showed up in my Book Bub list today! I bought it based on your review. For $1.99, it's definitely worth the risk. Thanks!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home