My daughter and I are just finishing up my favorite Little House book, The Long Winter. For those who haven’t read it, or have but don’t remember, part of that story is the Ingalls family basically skips Christmas. They do what they can, but they basically skip it because the trains have stopped running and there’s no hunting and they’re having to start rationing their food. However, a few weeks prior, Pa had gotten the mail and in the mail, Ma and the girls received magazines and newsletters. Stuff to read. And, knowing that having a substantial Christmas was not going to happen that year, Ma decided that she and the girls would save their new-to-them readings for Christmas day. As a present to themselves.
A) that is some major self-control and B) some of my favorite gifts are books. So, good thinking, Ma.
Books are so important to me, and I literally cannot remember a point in my life when I couldn’t read or had 2-5 books on my nightstand and another 234908 in my library queue, and now on my Amazon wishlist, too. My bookshelf is filled with books I’ll get to eventually. When I travel, packing books is as essential as packing toothpaste and underwear (maybe at one point I’ve forgotten toothpaste and/or underwear but never a book so maybe books are more essential). Some of my favorite summer memories are the rainy days at sleepaway camp when I would lay on my bed and read (and talk to my friends and nap and play jacks, too. But mostly read). Because summers are great for reading. I mean, all seasons are great for reading, but there’s just something about summer that makes reading that much better. Maybe because there are so many more places for reading–the beach, the pool, inside, a deck chair…so many more options.
I never really had a rhyme or reason for how I picked books. I would browse bookstores or stick with authors I already knew. But a couple of years ago, I started paying attention to the lists from Huffington Post books, my friends’ Goodreads lists, Amazon recommended books and I discovered books I ordinarily would not have. It’s how I found Gone Girl, The Sisters Brothers, Reconstructing Amelia, and The Fault in Our Stars. All 4 of those are books I highly recommend if you haven’t read them already.
Anyway.
This summer, I decided to do something I’ve never done before. I have put together my own summer reading list. I never had this from school and in the past, I would just read whatever would come up from my library queue. But this year, I decided I would create a targeted reading list and that list would be a combination of nonfiction books (memoir and self-help/informational type books) and fiction books. I like having a balance, and I usually read one fiction and nonfiction book simultaneously. Doing so feeds both parts of my brain.
Does that sound weird? Probably. That’s okay.
Fiction
- Things We Set on Fire by Deborah Reed (pictured)
- To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris (pictured)
- All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner (not pictured)
- The Vacationers by Emma Straub (not pictured)
- Golden State by Michelle Richmond (not pictured)
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (pictured)
Nonfiction
- On Writing by Stephen King (pictured)
- Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott (pictured)
- The Economy of You by Kimberly Palmer (not pictured)
- The 7 Habit of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey (pictured. Also, my daughter’s school teaches these habits so I figured it would be good to read what she’s learning)
- Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim (not pictured, and from my pioneer reading list)
- Bootstrapper: From Broke to Badass on a Northern Michigan Farm by Mardi Jo Link (not pictured, and also on my pioneer reading list)
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (not pictured)
The only wrinkle in my very carefully planned reading list is the library not cooperating. I do have a few backup books in the event that happens.
My list has 13 books on it. Not too unreasonable, I think. I usually average about 1-2 books per week, depending on the books. We’ll see what happens. At least there won’t be a test at the end.
So that’s good.
Do you have a summer reading list? What books are you planning on reading?
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[…] can read the full summer reading list if you want but the Cliff’s Notes version is this: I picked 6 fiction and 7 […]
I love the Little House books! And Ma was so smart to save the new reads for Christmas. I don’t think I could have waited!
Kate recently posted…The Ultimate Bootcamp Diary: Rest of Week One
I definitely couldn’t have waited. I can barely wait to get home when I get a new book from the library. Never mind if they were in my house, taunting me.
I don’t have a specific reading list for any time, I just pick my next books on a whim. Things We Set On Fire is on my list. The Vacationers too.
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…TWTW – This weekend I…
Your Goodreads list is one that I stalk with regularity. Just so you know.
I love the first part of this post where you talk about your love of reading. I also got super excited when I read your title, I love seeing what’s on everyone’s to read lists.
I’ve only read On Writing by Stephen King from you list. It’s a great book, I still have it on my shelf.
Kelli recently posted…Picture Practice: Signs
It’s been on my shelf for about 2 years now. I need to actually read it.
I will sing my love of books from the rooftops. I’m pretty sure as long as I had tea, snacks, and books, I could stay in my house for days and not get bored.
All Fall Down is on my list too. I don’t have a list per se but I keep a very long to be read list on goodreads that I add to frequently plus Netgalley always suggests some amazing books.
Kerry recently posted…Bringing the Heat
I don’t know that I’ve heard of Netgalley. I’ll have to check it out. I get updates from Noisetrade for free eBooks so I’ll check those out sometimes. Because, you know. Free.
You know I share your same passion for books. I love getting recommendations from other people because my world is so small (by choice) it opens up a whole new world for me. So, thanks for sharing your list.
I am never without a book, never. I’m especially proud of the fact my kids share my same passion.
Yesterday my daughter and I saw the Fault In Our Stars and we both geeked out after comparing the movie to the book because we obviously read the book first 😉
Bird by Bird and On Writing Well are both excellent reads.
Jenniemarie @ Another Housewife recently posted…Happy 22nd Birthday Kaleb
I love to see what other people are reading so I have no problem sharing my list as well.
My mom and I are supposed to see the movie next week. I can’t wait!
I loved Little House!!!! My mom and I used to watch the show together and I had some of the books.
I don’t really have a specific reading list, but I do have a list of books that are on my “to read” list…so I guess I sort of do have one, don’t I?! I just finished my book I was reading at lunch today so I need another ASAP!
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We have Verizon now for our TV service but back when we had the devil known as Comcast, I would watch the show with my daughter. Since we’re reading the books, she absolutely loves the show. It’s adorable.
I have a general list on Goodreads but I did a special one just for the summer.
I’m like you and usually have at least one fiction and one non-fiction book going at the same time. I also think it balances me. 🙂
I don’t have a summer reading list necessarily, but I do have a list of books that I want to get to sooner rather than later – all are on my Amazon Kindle wishlist.
If for any reason any of the books on your current list fall through or aren’t available, some that I’ve read and enjoyed lately and that I think you might like (if you haven’t already read them) are:
The Light Between Oceans (fiction)
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (non-fiction)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (non-fiction)
Columbine (the one by Dave Cullen, obviously non-fiction)
The Husband’s Secret (fiction)
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Thanks for the recommendations! I will definitely keep them in mind!
How awesome that your daughter’s school teaches the “7 Habits”!
I want to re-read Little House now!!! I used to have the set but it got ruined in our shed. 🙁
Amanda recently posted…Let’s Play Ketchup
It is pretty cool. I didn’t realize it at first but then it clicked and I’m so glad the school does it.
That’s such a shame about your books!
That’s how I’ve been spending my summer too. Reading. Lots of reading.
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