Summer Reading List

From what I gather from friends I'm unusual, but I actually catch up on my reading once summer vacation begins.  We have 30 minutes of reading time for all of us during the day and I sit right alongside the kids and read my own books.

I just finished Th1rteen R3asons Why by  Jay Asher and Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.

I chose 13 Reasons because a student in our high school recently committed suicide and I thought this book might help my 14 year old make some sense of it.  After reading it, I chose not to give it to my son since I wasn't on board with the message the book sent.  The story is of a high school student who also commits suicide and beforehand records a series of audio tapes explaining why and calling out each student she blames for her decision.  After her death, the tapes are to be distributed to the "guilty" for them to listen to. (yes, I just ended this sentence in a preposition and it's really bugging me)

I just hated the lead character by the end of the book and didn't care if she committed suicide or not!  That sounds terrible, but I just couldn't like her, and I didn't like that the author didn't fully explain the brain dysfunction that can also lead to suicidal thoughts.

Me Talk Pretty was just the opposite in weight and I needed some light reading!  It's a collection of short stories that are pretty hilarious.  I have listened to David Sedaris on This American Life podcast when I run, and just imagining the words in his voice made it even funnier. I would recommend this book for fun beach reading this summer!

I finally found Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, and plan to start it today.  My friend Tara recommended it months ago.

I love to get recommendations and I have a whole Pinterest page devoted to Books I want to Read, as well as a note in my phone.  So, what better place to get book ideas than here?


It's Feedback Friday...

What is on your summer reading list?

What books have you read lately?

What book did you really dislike?

Bookworms!

Before I Go To Sleep

I don't know about you, but most of my year's reading happens between the months of May and September. There is something about sitting on the back porch reading in the sunlight or sitting on the beach with a good book that I cannot resist.

With all "my bloggers" (don't you feel like some of your fave bloggers are just for you sometimes?) discussing summer reads I thought I'd jump on board. I'm sucker for a book discussion!

I have a whole stack of books on my nightstand that I've read and added to the pile. Among my favorites were:

Room by Emma Donoghue
As a mother, I could not put it down. I thought about devotion to my own children and wondered if I would have had the imagination and patience to raise a child under these conditions.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. This book was a page turner in the saddest way. This was one of those books I felt compelled to talk about and think about for weeks after I'd finished it.

and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This was grown up Harry Potter for me! I loved every last page...and there were 592!

Each one of these books hooked me right away and not a darn thing got done around here until I'd read them cover to cover. I'm a little compulsive that way.

My first Kindle book was pictured above Before I Go To Sleep and I was OB. Sessed. during the 24 hour period of time it took me to finish it. I was caught up in the idea of memory loss and I was determined to solve the mystery!

My wish list?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I know I'm late to this party!)


State of Wonder by Ann Patchett


What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty


It's Feedback Friday...

What is the best book you've read this summer?

What books are on your wish list?