Summer reading recommendations

[Poodleone]

I try to stick to poetry because the rhythm and flow put a slight constraint on an overly active imagination. My unencumbered, unedited, humor would not be welcome here.

Yes, I think many of us have found the joy of writing without concern for the input or interest of others. It can certainly be an exercise in expressing free will.

 

[mommaDee]

I read the following three books while vacationing in SoWal so my opinion of the books may be colored by my reading environment--- everything is better on the beach!

1. Some One Knows my Name (originally titled The Book of Negroes) by Lawrence Hill (a Canadian whose brother is Dan Hill) . This is an engrossing story of the life of a young black girl who is captured from her African village and transported to the Southern States to be purchased as a slave. This young girl develops into a strong woman who gains her freedom and eventually returns to Africa.

2. People of the Book by Geraldine March. This story tracks the history of a jewish prayer book as it enters into the hands of very diverse people.

3. Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides A poignoint (at times very funny) coming of age story of someone who doesn't quite fit our understanding of what is "male" and what is "female".

 

[Poodleone]

I read the following three books while vacationing in SoWal so my opinion of the books may be colored by my reading environment--- everything is better on the beach!

1. Some One Knows my Name (originally titled The Book of Negroes) by Lawrence Hill (a Canadian whose brother is Dan Hill) . This is an engrossing story of the life of a young black girl who is captured from her African village and transported to the Southern States to be purchased as a slave. This young girl develops into a strong woman who gains her freedom and eventually returns to Africa.

2. People of the Book by Geraldine March. This story tracks the history of a jewish prayer book as it enters into the hands of very diverse people.

3. Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides A poignoint (at times very funny) coming of age story of someone who doesn't quite fit our understanding of what is "male" and what is "female".

I am adding those to my list of "books to see if my small town library carries"- thanks for the recos!

 

[Beach Runner]

Yes, I think many of us have found the joy of writing without concern for the input or interest of others. It can certainly be an exercise in expressing free will.

Our minister started writing unrhymed verse for his own enjoyment, but someone read his poems and suggested that he publish them. His poetry consists of stories about everyday people and occurrences, having nothing to do with religion. I have been to one of his poetry readings -- very interesting to see the other side of him. My favorite poem of his is called "Hoochie Mama."

 

[Douglas the Intrepid]

Those things freak me out. Didn't Asimov write a short story in which two kids find a paper book and are fascinated because they can turn the back a few pages. They had always had electronic books and could only read forward, never go back.


Maybe I need to read Asimov this summer.

I picked up a Kindle 2 a couple of months ago and utterly love it! The electronic ink display is just like reading paper and doesn't fatigue the eyes, but the best part is free internet! The system has built in 3G internet access that is free and it includes a rudimentary web browser and wikipedia support! Why this is so cool is that you can not only access the Amazon service to download current books on the fly, you can also access free services for public domain books like Feedbooks.com and when you turn the wireless off, you have about 2 weeks of reading between charges!

As for Asimov, I think perhaps The Foundation series is worth tackling again! I haven't read them since I was in highschool! lol

 

[Gidget]

I picked up a Kindle 2 a couple of months ago and utterly love it! The electronic ink display is just like reading paper and doesn't fatigue the eyes, but the best part is free internet! The system has built in 3G internet access that is free and it includes a rudimentary web browser and wikipedia support! Why this is so cool is that you can not only access the Amazon service to download current books on the fly, you can also access free services for public domain books like Feedbooks.com and when you turn the wireless off, you have about 2 weeks of reading between charges!

As for Asimov, I think perhaps The Foundation series is worth tackling again! I haven't read them since I was in highschool! lol

Kindle is on my wish list!! So, can you like read it in bed without any other light?? Camping, etc... or when hubbie glares my way cuz light is on too long or I make noise turning pages? Might be a great marriage saver lol!! Tell me more about it.....

I printed out the list for the 100 best novels of all time and have been slowly working my way through it. BUT now I will make a detour and read Water for Elephants.

Still, my allll time fav is A Confederacy of Dunces. IT is such a funny arse book! Written by a young man who ended up commiting suicide prior to his book being published. He was a genius though. He lived in New Orleans and if you know New Orleans you MUST read this book!! Heck even if you don't you will love it if you like to laugh A LOT! (and learn - he is a master)

G

 

[Mermaid]

I like to keep it light for summer reading. Here are three oldies-but-goodies which should be required reading for anyone who loves the South. Funny as all getout but wise and wonderful, Ferrol Sam's trilogies should not be missed! They are the stories of a young Georgia boy named Porter Osborne. The first one is Run With the Horsemen, the second is Whisper of the River, and the last of the series is When All the world was Young.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Horsemen-Penguin-Contemporary-American-Fiction/dp/0140072748]Amazon.com: Run with the Horsemen (Penguin Contemporary American Fiction Series): Ferrol Sams: Books[/ame]

 

[scooterbug44]

I have only read 26 of those 100 - some on the list I would like to read, but others I tried to read and stopped because I hated the book. (Sorry, but I just can't stand Hemingway or Faulkner and don't understand the fuss people make about them.)

Rather random list IMO - don't know that I would put Charlotte's Web on the same literary footing as Hamlet.

 

[Gidget]

I have only read 26 of those 100 - some on the list I would like to read, but others I tried to read and stopped because I hated the book. (Sorry, but I just can't stand Hemingway or Faulkner and don't understand the fuss people make about them.)

Rather random list IMO - don't know that I would put Charlotte's Web on the same literary footing as Hamlet.

Which list did you go to? There's more than one "100 Best"

I am sure I won't read EVERY book on there, but there are some I tried ages ago and feel like I can try again. You know how that goes. We change.

LOL Charlotte's Web was not same type of book as Hamlet but had as much to offer in its own way. That's the joy of a varied list. There was something on there and I was like FORGET IT - can't remember what that was.

The Modern Library | 100 Best | Novels <here's list

G

 

[scooterbug44]

Oh, I was responding to BR's Newsweek 100 list.

I am at 12 and 11 on your lists - the 2nd one seems very biased towards a couple authors (4 Ayn Rand, 3 L. Ron Hubbard). And while I enjoy Tom Clancy, "Hunt for Red October" shouldn't be on the list IMO.

I think I'll make my own!