summer reading

I love summertime for its long warm days, the tight feeling of your skin after a day in the sun, and, of course, lots of time to read, read, read.  I was quite the bookworm growing up (we're talking lots of late nights tucked in bed with a novel and a crick in my elbow from keeping myself propped up on it for too long) but when college rolled around it was hard to want to sit down and relax with a good read when I was scanning textbooks all day.

However, now that I'm graduated, I'm hittin' the books again!  And it's oh so good to be back!

I stumbled across THIS cute post the other day and loved the idea of giving a little review of all the books I read this summer - so here goes!

P.S. Please feel free to make recommendations - I'm on my way to get myself a library card ASAP!

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Harry Potter 1-7 - J.K. Rowling

Yes, I went on a nostalgic kick and stole all 7 books from my parent's bookshelves and read them one by one by one by one at the beginning of the summer.  And, yes, I loved them all over again.  David (for whatever reason I can't comprehend) never read the H.P. books as a kid - yes, I've already told him he missed out on childhood - and he kind of thought I was crazy, but I loved them all the same.  Of course I recommend all 7 of them.

Heaven Is For Real - Todd Burpo

I loved this little book about a 4-year-old boy's trip to heaven and back as told by his father.  It's sweet, it's short, and it's worth reading.  Go get it.

The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

This was a hard, but good read about a crazy couple of parents and the children they raise (who somehow turn out normal & successful).  Momma was an artist and daddy was an inventor and their travels take them all around small dessert mining towns and then head eastward.  Its a great story about human spirit and the will to be better.

Half Broke Horses - Jeannette Walls (again)

This is the story of Jeannette Wall's maternal grandmother - her growing up, marriage, and family life.  You get an interesting look into how Jeannette's mother grew up and how she turned out the way she did in the previous book.  I liked reading these two in this order and thought they were a great testament to hard work and determination.

Wicked - Gregory Maguire

Alright.  First things first - I've started this book before and just couldn't get through it.  I love the musical, but I wanted to read the book too!  I knew the plot differed and I wanted to see how much (it differs much, much, much by the way).  The story is . . . interesting, definitely full of captivating writing, but not exactly something I would recommend.  Save your pennies and go see the play instead folks!

O Pioneers! - Willa Cather

This book was a slow start, but once I got to the end I was completely invested in this batch of characters.  It's a story about the European/American immigrants that braved taming the Nebraska prairie and the lives they lived there.  It's a sweet, fast, and a rewarding read - definitely one to recommend.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - Betty Smith

I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something about this book that hooked me and pulled me into its story about the Nolan family working to survive in pre-WWI Brooklyn, NY.  It was a plot I loved to pick up and delve back into until David would pull me back to the surface.  Go pick it up.  It's a good one.