Songbird over at Revgalblogpals brings us this Friday Five:
Back in the day, before I went to seminary, I worked in the Children's Room at the Public Library, and every year we geared up for Summer Reading. Children would come in and record the books read over the summer, and the season included numerous special and celebratory events. As a lifelong book lover and enthusiastic summer reader, I find I still accumulate a pile of books for the summer.
This week, then, a Summer Reading Friday Five.
1) Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading? Why or why not?
I do think of summer as a good season for reading. Probably it goes back to when I had "summer vacation" and took all kinds of books out of the library. Probably it relates to the idea of having "beach reading", too. However, I will say that I often have unrealistic expectations of how many books I can actually read during the summer -- big stacks, and they don't all get read.
2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach?
No. Lots of other places, but not the beach. (suntanning in the back yard, yes.)
3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime?
Not sure if it was in the summer or not, but one of my favorite childhood "library" books was "Half Magic", by Edward Eager. I read and liked all of his books, which were great fantasy/adventure stories. I picked up "Half Magic" in a used bookstore recently, and am planning on re-reading it. I also think I read A Spiderweb for Two in the summer.
4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?
Mysteries. Anna Pigeon. Rabbi Small. Father Brown, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.
5) What is the next book on your reading list?
Right now I'm in the middle of The Double Bind, by Chris Bohjalian. Next I'm thinking about reading a book called Madness by Marya Hornbacher. But I don't think it would be light reading.
17 comments:
Of course you like the Melendys. Perfect. =)
I somehow never read the Edward Eager books. How did I manage that?
I've never understood the concept of Summer Reading since I've been an adult with a house and a yard. Yes, as a child, that was the time I could walk to the library, a whole mile, by myself. Imagine that? Do parents allow their children to walk a mile in the city any more? Do any children have enough muscles to walk that far any more?
Well, back to the topic: In summer, I have extra work around the house, such as my flower gardens, mowing the lawns, etc. plus doing fun outside things such as riding my bike or walking or canoeing with my husband, and when the kids were home, going to the beach. So when I'm "doing" I'm not reading.
Songbird, I used Half Magic in a sermon once -- the story about the man who had to be healed twice. Quite unusual story...
Oh, yeah, I read Double Bind not long ago; fun one!
ann pigeon... dang. if only i could be that self-sufficient and super-powered in mother nature. haven't read her latest adventure have you?
I never heard of the Melendy's before, and have to figure out what books those are!
I adored the Alcott books and was so disappointed that my oldest daughter disliked them and viewed them as "sexist." I think I'll look for "Half Magic" at the library.
Oh Yes! Half Magic is on my top ten reads of childhood! Great book...And isn't it delightful to read children's literature again as an adult?
I just clicked on "The Double Bind"... think I will add that to my list!!
Jan -- the Melendy's by Elizabeth Enright. Check her out.
& hotcup, nope, need to read the next Anna Pigeon this summer. still doing some of the old ones too.
and p.s. probably why I never get enough yard work OR gardening done in the summer.
Oh, I LOVE the Anna Pidgeon books! Thanks for reminding me to check the local library for the latest ones.
I like the Tony Hillerman mysteries as well.
I don't know the children's books you listed.
Summer is usually the busiest time for educational writers, so it's not a good time for reading for me. Sigh.
I love Chris Bohjalian!
He was interviewed on our local radio station (npr) the other day.
I can relate to proclaimingsoftly...summer is probably the worst time for reading! I haven't heard of the books you mentioned, so now I have more to add to my list :)
I had a great time at our blogger meetup! And, I also loved Half Magic, Knight's Castle, Magic by the Lake -- and the Melendy books too. And, I am excited about reading the new Anna Pigeon book where she goes back to Isle Royale in the winter.
Oh, Edward Eager! FAB!
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