Summer Reads

I love to read.   I can remember when I was younger that I wanted to read the thick books with no pictures. I think I thought that carrying around a thick book would make me look older or smarter or both.  Either way, reading the books didn't make me look older or smarter.  It did, however, cement in me a true love for a great story.  Those were the good 'ol days.
These days are also good days, but I don't get to do much reading for pleasure.   When those moments pop up when everyone in my family is settled and taken care of --- when no one is calling my name or asking for a snack or wondering why I haven't washed their favorite pair of shorts or  generally asking me to come up with world peace -- when those fleeting minutes find me, I'm the one diving head first into a book.  And if I get sucked into the story everyone had better be ready to eat PB&J for dinner because Mama isn't moving.  Last night I was especially enthralled in a story.  The kids were in bed, husband was busy with work and I decided to lay in the tub with my iPad and relax.  I ended up laying in the tub for 3 hours.   I was reading as fast as I could because my iPad was running low on battery power and I wanted to get to the end of the story!!  I stayed in the tub so long that the water was cold, it was almost midnight, my husband was sound asleep and I was honestly contemplating yelling for him to go put a towel in the dryer so I could have something warm to wrap up in.  Pitiful, I know.  (I ended up just sucking it up and getting out of the freezing bathtub myself..I'm not that big a prima-donna!)  But really, I love to read!

Here's the list of my summer reads.  Consider it a buffet of books.  Some are light, some are heavy.  All were enjoyed by me!

I guess I should have prefaced my post by telling you I really enjoy history.  Our trip to Mt. Vernon was one of my favorite things we've done.  I could have spent 2 or 3 days there.  But back to our book.  This book is about Noah Webster, the creator of Webster's Dictionary.  He hung out with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.  And in addition to creating a spelling book for young children, he was the main guy behind our uniquely "American" culture.  Really interesting read.

Ok.  Everyone and their brother has read this.  I'm really late to the party on this one.  I read it because I wanted to see the movie after I'd read the book and I really want to see the movie.  For those who are even later to the party than me the book is set in Mississippi in the late '50's early '60s.  It is all about the relationships between white middle class women and their black maids.  It is a pretty good read, but for me the ending wasn't the greatest.  I'm wondering if the movie will end differently.

By far, my favorite book this summer.  It is the story of a WWII army solider/Olympic track hopeful/POW.  Amazing.  Read it--now.  I loved it so much that I'm having my 12 year old daughter read it.  It provides great insight into World War II and since it is told from the standpoint of one solider it makes the information much easier to understand.  Truly a great book.

Mary Kay Andrews--the Queen of the quick summer read.   This is the story of a group of girlfriends who rent a cottage on Nags Head.  During the month they are there each of them comes to terms with crazy stuff going on in their lives.  Typical chick-flick-summer read.  Cute guy, bad guy, great girlfriends.  Easy read.  The End.

Ever since St. Elmo's fire, I've had a huge HUGE crush on Rob Lowe.  Then he's in West Wing and I get a bigger crush on "Sam Seaborn".  I had to get this book to read on the airplane. (Sorry honey, but I can't talk to you right now since I'm completely entrhalled in Rob.)  I read this on the flight to Cannes.  One way.  Great stories of his start (did you know he hung out with Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen and Emilio Esteves?  He knew Tom Cruise waaaaay before he was the famous/crazy/weird guy he is today.)

I live in Georgia.  As a resident of this state, I think I'm supposed to hate all things related to the University of Florida.  Especially Tim Tebow.  But really- he's so cute!  And during his college seasons, he'd put Bible verses on the black under his eyes.  And he's cute. (I'm so shallow.)  I had heard a little about his upbringing (parents missionaries, his mom's pregnancy with him was difficult, etc).  This book is a lot of football talk.  LOTS OF FOOTBALL.  So college football fans, you'll love this.  I enjoyed the story of his family and his early years with his brothers.  And I now I'm a bigger fan because of his standards.  I'm hoping my girls find someone with his character.

The Real George Washington.  HUGE book.  Don't be intimidated by this book.  Our first President was quite the interesting man.  Surveyor by age 16.  Family deaths and living abroad with a brother who was ill.  Meeting and marrying Martha Custis.  He was the most reluctant public servant ever.  He served for the good of the country- not for accolades or power, but for the good of our new country.  He rocks and this book will make you want to shout it from the roof tops.

Okay, friends, what have you been reading?