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.

I'll never look at Veteran's Day the same again.

Rumpelstiltskin like you've never read.

A little dated, but I enjoyed the prophetic nature of the story.

Book 2 is in my queue, but how many rapes can you read about?

Loved the allegories in the novel.

Well written contemporary fiction.

I wonder what took me so long to read this? Excellent, excellent book.

Not a sequel but a wonderful spin-off!

Super fun read, but then I love fairytales. And dogs. I have another of her books in my queue.

Super unique part of WWII - READ IT!

Meh. Too much ambiguity about the main character's moral fiber.

WTH? I didn't get it. Don't shoot me.

This book has nothing on 50 Shades!

Interesting read, but ... a little weird.

Historical fiction about the genocide of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) during WWI. Very well written!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

8/21/2017 05:05:33 am

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

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!

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)

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.

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!

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