Do you remember that scene in the movie My Girl when the amazingly-named Vada Sultenfuss coerces Thomas J. into sneaking out to the old people’s bingo game? And she calls him a pacifist and a bed wetter because, 11 year olds that they are, he’s scared to go? I always thought she was saying “pessimist” and “bad weather.”
And you know when they’re riding their bikes down the street and “Good Lovin‘” is playing in the background? My brother and I sang the song as “Doodle Oven.” (In our defense, we were, say, four and eight years old. The music of the ’70’s wasn’t exactly part of our daily routine.)
Then, you know the part where Vada is talking to her English teacher–the one to whose picture she later croons the words of “Bill! I love you so, I always will!” and draws a heart around his face in her school picture–and she tells him she’s been working on her summer reading list and needs to hurry home to finish War and Peace? I was certain she was saying “Warren Peas.”
(Apparently those weren’t the only things in that movie I didn’t quite “get” back then because somewhere right in there my parents did a cleaning out of the movie closet and that one didn’t exactly make the cut. I rented it for old times’ sake a year or so ago… and I saw why. Heh.)
Well. I once asked my mom about this “Warren Peas” fellow and found out that, hidy-ho and fancy that, it’s the name of a book. A famous one at that. Kinda like the books I had on MY summer reading list–you know, Samantha Saves the Day and Paula the Waldensian–except that, lo and behold, I didn’t actually have one of these newfangled Summer Reading Lists.
So, since I was homeschooled and thus didn’t have an English teacher making me a list, but I’m a huge fan of the list and a gargantuan fan of the summer reading, I thought I’d take Vada’s example and make me a list. Which I did that summer, and the one after that, and the one after that, and the one…
That first year the list probably included such classic titles as Beezus and Ramona and Rainbow Promise and moved over the years through Princess in Calico, Home Fires at the Foot of the Rockies, all the Anne books, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Elsie Dinsmore, The Cay, Stepping Heavenward (15+ times), The Bronze Bow, Hind’s Feet, more Lamplighter books than I can count, Jane Austen, Lucy Winchester, the Isabella Alden/Pansy books and, oh goodness, so many more. If I had a nickel for every minute I spent sprawled out on my bed with a good book to get through those 110 degree summer days, I’d, of course, be able to build an entire library and fill it with more books than I could ever read.
Now that I think of it, I never actually made it to War and Peace. Actually, in all honesty, other than the works of both Jane Austen and L. M. Montgomery, Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, I didn’t make it through as many of the true classics as I probably should have. I’m eternally damaged, as you can see.
Anyway, other than to think fondly of my favorite girlhood books, the point of this is that I haven’t made a summer reading list in a long ol‘ time. Mostly because I haven’t had much time for summer reading in a long ol‘ time.
But it’s time. I read when I can snag some time throughout the year, but it’s almost exclusively books (good ones, still) on parenting, marriage and other practical topics of interest. It’s like it’s just part of the facts of life: once you graduate high school, good fiction doesn’t exist. But I’ve heard tell there ARE, in fact, some good books out there that I haven’t yet read, that are just… for fun. Good fiction.
This is where you come in. I want to revive the old habit of making my summer reading list, but I have a whole bunch of blank lines on that paper. I need suggestions of your must-reads. Any author, any topic, any story line. What are you reading?
Help a girl out?
LeAnna says:
The Little House on the Prairie series. I could read them a thousand times! The Little Britches series by Ralph Moody was also recommended to me. I have them on iTunes via audio book waiting to be listened to.
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July 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Elizabeth in Alaska says:
Well, I am not reading War and Peace this year, but I am reading another 600+ page Russian classic: The Idiot, by Dostoevsky. And I am being reminded why I love him so very much.
But that might not be the light summer reading you are looking for, so! how about Madeleine L'Engle? She never fails to make me think, yet her books are not extremely long and heavy. Wodehouse is another. Oh, and if you like mysteries, Ellis Peters is a favorite. :)
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July 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Kaycee says:
I love just about anything by Jodi Picoult. [You know how people always claim they were listening to a certain band "before they were on the radio"? Well, I was totally reading Jodi Picoult before she was on anyone's reading list. Just thought you would appreciate that. ;-) ] She's not what I would call just for fun though, definitely makes you think (which can be fun) and deals with heavy issues quite often. "The Pact" is her first book I believe, it was very good. "My Sister's Keeper" is coming out in movie form, but as always I am sure the fabulous book will trump the movie. Some of her books are tough emotionally to read but nearly all of them are fantastically written and can surprise you even when you think you get it.
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July 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Megan says:
Hiya! I wish I could help you, but I'm in the same boat… parenting, pregnancy, birth, marriage, & devotionals… I'm bouncing between a whole bunch of them! I pulled out my Chronicles of Narnia last summer & read a few. Someone bought me a book & said it was great- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I have no idea what it's about, haven't read it yet & it's been years! Good luck, keep us posted on the list!
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July 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Leah says:
I loved "the secret life of bees" I read it way before the movie can out and it's just such detailed, good writing. I also enjoyed a book called "I am the cheese". I enjoy John Steinbeck books too. I'm a substitute at the high school level so I get to read alot. I read The Diary of Anne Frank and now that I'm an adult I found it truly incredible. I didn't pay it much attention when I had to read it in jr high.
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July 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Megan says:
(P.S. And on any tricks you might have to actually make time for fun reading! I try so hard, but it's always at the expense of the housecleaning, cooking, kids, or my sleep! Gave up on it!)
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July 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Shari says:
Anything by Grace Livingston Hill. Wonderful books!
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July 7th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
LeAnna says:
Oh, Elizabeth in Alaska brought up a good one, Anything by p.g wodehouse! I love his sense of humor. Especially the Jeeves books. Those are books that your DH would probably enjoy, too.
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July 7th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Rebecca says:
I was going to give you a whole list of books… but I thought I'd just give you a link to my June book list instead. http://beccaflowershopgirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/june-book-list.html
This is all the books I read in June with reviews and a stars rating. I've been publishing book lists on my blog all year so I've got lists for the past few months on there too. If you're looking for book suggestions… I've got them!
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July 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Anonymous says:
audiobooks are AMAZING, especially when you don't have time to read! the more complicated books, like dickens, are great to read, because all the breaking down of the rich sentence structure and vocabulary is done for you! makes it so much more enjoyable.
but since you asked for real books, my all-time favorite is mara daughter of the nile by eloise jarvis mcgraw. i've seriously read it 10 times and am equally enthralled every time. it's a 6th grade level, but the story line is amazing. baroness orczy is also phenomenal! the scarlet pimpernel is the most popular, but a less popular (but far better) of hers is called el dorado. it's kind of a sequel.
i've always loved dickens. he was a genius.
hope this helps!
heidi
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July 7th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Ginger says:
Ohhhhhhhh, I would have to say Lori Wick!! I never enjoyed reading until the summer I was 16 my mom introduced a Christian romance novel to me and I was hooked since then I love to read anything Lori Wick, Terri Blackstock, Karen Kingsbury…etc…etc..
Ginger~
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July 7th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Becky K. says:
I love anything by Eugenia Price…
Historical Fiction!!!
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July 7th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Steve n Vickie says:
Here's one to stretch you. In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alverez. I read it in spanish of course, but it is in english too.
Its a historical fiction of the Dominican Republic during the time of a famous dictator. Very dramatic. It will make you appreciate the freedoms we have here.
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July 7th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Gretchen Acheson says:
Around here we love Ralph Moody, Gene Stratton Porter, and P.G. Wodehouse. Your hubby would like the Little Britches books, too… In fact, the 3 authors I listed are all favorites of my husband's as well as mine. :) I'm sure I'll think of more, but those are off the top of my head. ;)
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July 7th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
April says:
Suggestions: To Kill a Mockingbird, definitely.
Fashion is Spinach, which is available online at: http://www.archive.org/details/fashionisspinach00hawerich
The Shadow of the Bear trilogy by Regina Doman. For "teens" yes, but real page-turners. Just don't read them at night. ;-)
This summer, my reading list is much more practical/mundane…I'm working through Don't Waste Your Life by Piper at the moment, but I'm having trouble getting into it. I've had it for years, and I really want to get through it. I have some trilogy thingy by the Theones that my sister has been bugging me to read. Hopefully I'll get through that. I'm also digesting Molly Brown: Unraveling the Myth in preparation for my new job. It looks to be pretty interesting…I like biographies. :-) Be sure to tell us what you decide to read!
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July 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Rebekah says:
I haven't done a lot of reading since I've been traveling (and unlike my younger days I now get carsick if I read). Last year, before Brian came back, my friend let me borrow her Twilight books. I fell in love and lost about 2 nights sleep because I coudln't put them down! My sister even likes them, and she's not into vampires at all.
Also in the past year I've read "Redeeming Love", the "House of Night" series, The "Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Gone With the Wind", "Scarlett", "Rhett Butler's People", and quite a few by Nora Roberts.
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July 7th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
eliasboudinotismyfriend says:
The Last Sin Eater
The A.D. Chronicles (at least the first five, I haven't finished the others)
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July 8th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Miranda says:
I'm reading 'Evelina' by Frances Burney (contemporary of Jane Austen, so you might well like her). I'm also determined – well, ok, hoping – to actually get through 'The Count of Monte Cristo' this summer.
And on the subject of mishearings, last night I saw an episode of House, MD that I must've seen at least ten times. Only last night did I realise that when this lady is talking about her old doctor, who's just died, she says he had 'warm hands'. All this time I've been thinking she said he 'wore pants'. Now that I think about it, it does make a lot more sense…
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July 8th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Sara says:
Oooh, I love to read. Right now I'm reading a classic, The Three Musketeers. Good, fun read. Typically for the summer I like easier reads, and stick to the more challenging novels in Fall, Winter & Spring (I'm not sure why). But, I just recently discovered Melody Carlson's A Mile in my Flip-Flops (a perfect summer beach read). Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is also another good pick. Also, Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt have a couple good books including The Book of Jane. A must-read (trust me) is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I guarantee you won't be able to put it down.
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July 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am
bessieviola says:
Favorites of mine:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Catcher in the Rye
Anything written by Wally Lamb – he's a genius with words, really
The Harry Potter series! Fantastic fantasy reading.
Also, I thought Twilight was just "meh" and I didn't love the way it was advocated for teens, given the message, so that one's a "take it or leave it" for me.
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July 8th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Anonymous says:
If you've never read 'The Princess Bride' you should. It is extremely funny, a quick, enjoyable read. It is better than the movie!
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July 8th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Katie @ Heart Gone Walking says:
First things first: Island of Blue Dolphins = awesomeness.
Moving on…
My all-time favorite books are Redeeming Love (because I believe every human being should read this book), Wives and Daughters (almost as good as Jane Austen, almost), Confessions of a Shopaholic (a total fluffy beach read), My Sister's Keeper (extremely non-fluffy beach read), Karen Kingsbury's Redemption series and Harry Potter.
So far this summer, I'm reading P.S. I Love You and Anna Karenina (for about the 20th attempt) so no verdicts yet.
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July 8th, 2009 at 11:10 am
number17cherrytreelane says:
Please read A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith.
I read it this summer and loved it. One of the best books I have ever read.
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July 8th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
lala says:
Jane Eyre… I still remember reading that as a 16 year old, and I fell in love with that book…
Secret Life of Bees was good.
Others I enjoyed and / or loved:
White Oleander
The Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Water for Elephants*
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society*
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
The Shack*
*I think you'd enjoy these more.
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July 8th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Jen says:
Ok, so all these and me are close friends and are well worn in… I've read many of them since childhood. I still love them.
"Howl's Moving Castle" & "Castle in the Air" by Dianna Wynne Jones (DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT watch the movie. APPALING)
"Goodnight, Mr Tom" by Michelle Magorian
"The Warm Summer" by Craig Massey (though, if you can find it, I'll be impressed)
"Christian Marlow's Daughter" by Frances Parkinson Keys(again, if you can find it, impressive! Oh! Just found out that that is the UK publishing name. You'll know/find it as "Senator Marlow's Daughter")
"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant
"Pollyanna" & "Pollyanna Grows Up" the only two of the series written by the original author, Elanor H. Porter
"Heidi", "Heidi Grows Up" & "Heidi's Children" the first by Johanna Spyri, the other two by her translator, Charles Tritten
"Myrtle's Guest" by Jane Rogers (quick read)
"Cathy at the Crossroads" by Nancy W. Faber
Also, and promise you won't laugh, anything by Barbara Cartland. She wrote historical romance novels, most set in the crinoline era (be still my heart) and they were so beautiful. No sex until they were married (always at the end, or if it was an arranged marriage, the husband waited until she was comfortable) and even then, NO DESCRIPTION other that "she touched the stars" the end. They are pretty quick reads, too.
I just realised how random these all are. Have fun hunting!
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July 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Elizabeth J. says:
I love all Jane Austen books. I also like North and South which was written in the 1800s by Elizabeth Gaskell. By the way N and S isn't a civil war book.=)
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July 8th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Rachel says:
I second _North and South_ by Elizabeth Gaskell, as well as her_Wives and Daughters_.
Also, _Jane Eyre_, the Fitzwilliam Darcy: Gentleman trilogy by Pamela Aiden, beginning with _An Assembly Such as This_, and a fun memoir if you like food/food critics is _Garlic and Sapphires_ by Ruth Reichl.
And if you like a literary mystery series, try the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes books by Laurie King, beginning with _A Beekeepers Apprentice_. Can't really recommend King's other series though…
Book lists – always fun! Happy reading.
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July 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Jessi says:
The Betsy Tacy series. Start with "Heaven to Betsy" and read all the way through "Betsy's Wedding." There is a book for each of her high school years, one about a year Betsy spends in Europe, and the last book follows the first few years of her marriage. It's set in turn of the century Minnesota. Sort of "Anne of Green Gables" meets Americana. After you finish these you can go back and read the ones about her younger year. (5 yrs-12 yrs). But the older ones might hold your interest more to begin with.
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July 9th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Anonymous says:
I HIGHLY recommend the A.D. Chronicles by Brock and Bodie Thoene(thay-nee–VERY GOOD beyond good–ENLIGHTENING! :) Any of their books are wonderful–you should look them up. God bless!
Sarah T
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July 9th, 2009 at 8:17 am
delightinginhim says:
someone mentioned The Princess Bride, it is worth the read!
I just finished "Further Still: A collection of Poetry and Vignettes" by Beth Moore. It really touched my heart and was meaningful.
My current 2 reads are The Book of Jasher (as mentioned in 2 Samuel and Joshua) and
The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright (similiar to George MacDonald books)
I want to read The Shack, have you picked it up?
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July 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
joyfullyhis says:
LOL about all those confusions… I remember singing songs when I was younger and then finding out that I had the lyrics all wrong later on… teehee.
I do remember seeing clips of "My Girl" here and there but I also remember there was probably some not so good stuff in that flick too. It's been AGES since I saw any of it though.
I'm just the opposite of you; I make my Reading lists in the winter months when I have gobs of time; stuck indoors while the snow drifts get higher outside ;)
Most of those books you read (mentioned) I have read and loved too.
I have a copy of Stepping Heavenward and read it every year. Have read Princess in Calico multiple times too.
Never picked up "War and Peace" though. I should read more classics… ;)
As far as good fiction goes, I do like Karen Kingsbury. You might also try George MacDonald, Michael Philips, and Jane Kirkpatrick. Jane's books are great and I love them esp. because she weaves real life places and historical facts into them and some of it is from my local area!
And if you're in for non-fiction and some "serious" reading, I have to recommend "THE BLESSING" by Gary Smalley & John Trent.
If/When I have children, I am definitely reading it again.
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July 9th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Anonymous says:
Read Joel C. Rosenberg's books. They are fiction books that are based on Ezekiel 38 and 39. The first book is The Last Jihad. Really good books, well written and amazingly on track with what is happening in the world today.
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July 9th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Clarissa says:
Anything by Gene Stratton Porter, St. Elmo by I don't remember, and anything by Karen Kingsbury.
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July 9th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Gretchen Acheson says:
Randy Alcorn writes the best modern Christian fiction. If you haven't read Deadline and his other books, do.
George MacDonald is the best. Edited by Michael Phillips, of course. If you haven't read any, start with The Fisherman's Lady.
While we're on the subject, Michael Phillips is fabulous, too. Esp. Stonewycke and Secret of the Rose series.
Dee Henderson writes good, clean Christian romance/mystery books.
Elswyth Thane was a vintage historical fiction writer (as in, she wrote about history in what we now consider historical times!)–her Colonial Williamsburg series is an enjoyable mix of history and romance.
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July 9th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Nicole Hearn says:
How They Kept the Faith, Grace Raymond. It is. The. Best. Book. Ever.
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July 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Anonymous says:
I'm hooked on the little thin books you can get at walmart. They look like the Harlequin romance books but they say across the front, "Love Inspired'. They are Christian, they are quick easy reads. They have them in romance, suspense and historical. When I say Christian, some have scripture in them, some actually proclaim the Gospel and others just have the Christian life woven into the story. But never do I have to worry about encountering language or sex scenes.
I also enjoy Debbie Macomber. She has some occassional language and sometimes her romance can be a bit more detailed, but not grafic.
Good luck. Share your list with us when you get it made! I'm always looking for new reads.
~Robin
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July 10th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Cassandra says:
This book and the rest of the series. I'm currently on book six and I love it! They've taken the story of Christ and added some fiction around it but have stayed very true to the actual events. Hard to describe, but the series is helping me understand more about the prophecies about Christ and His ministry, while also being a GREAT read. My library has the series so I've been able to get my hands on them without having to buy them!
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July 11th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
eliasboudinotismyfriend says:
_Bud and Me: The True Adventures of the Abernathy Boys_ by Alda Abernathy – your boys will enjoy this in a few years and it is an excellent read-aloud as a family!
Warning: There is another fictionalized version of this _The Abernathy Boys_. Don't read that one!
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July 12th, 2009 at 3:49 am
becky says:
ok, blogger doesn't like me. trying again.
i love The Count of Monte Cristo. and have you read To Kill a Mockingbird? another must-read. one of my all-time favs (actually, both of those are).
for a summer read, i just finished The Accidental Bestseller and enjoyed it. and check out Joshilyn Jackson's books like The Girl Who Stopped Swimming – very enjoyable.
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July 12th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Kiersten says:
The Swan House by Elisabeth Musser. If you love southern culture this is a must. It is about a teenage girl growing up in Atlanta during the Civil Rights movement, and you WILL cry and be SOOO sad when it is over (not because it has a sad ending, but because you will wish the story kept going and going and going…).
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August 17th, 2009 at 10:59 am