Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Summer Reading List



Remember summer reading lists? Some years I actually read all the books I was suppose to. Sometimes not. Some of my all time favorite books were on those lists...The Jungle by Upton Sinclair remains one of my top ten. A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich...a wonderful story of pioneer life and wagon trains. A Separate Peace by John Knowles, another on my top ten. 

Gift From the Sea is a book I have read multiple times. It remains required summer reading for me and I usually reread it on one of our trips...preferably near a body of water. It's a soothing, insightful read and a wonderful way to launch summer.


We are bibliophiles. Our bookcase displays our taste in reads...a lot of American histrory. Mr. MW is a fan of the history of the American Revolution. He reads non-fiction exclusively...all sorts.


I like that era as well...but I occasionally will pick up a piece of historical fiction. I also like the books about the ladies of that time.


This morning I pulled some books from the bookcase for my summer list. Some of these I have begun and for some reason or another abandoned. I've been working on Bunker Hill by Nathaniel Philbrick recently...I need to get serious...it is wonderfully written, laced with anecdotes that make it so interesting. Philibrick is the author of one of my all time top three books...


In the Heart of the Sea is simply a wonderful read.  
It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. I highly recommend it...but it is not for the squeamish...it is a graphic depiction of the perils of life at sea as a New England whaler, in the early nineteenth century. It will hold your interest from cover to cover!


I like to read books about the history of inanimate objects. The history of coal is highly recommended by Mr. MW. I need to read this because it is a part of my family history.  Big Cotton...I need to finish. I love fabric and this is an enlightening read...the history of the "fabric of our lives".


I will only allow myself to begin this tale when I have finished the others I have abandoned. The pictures alone will be worth the wait.


Next...?

What's on your Summer Reading List? Do you have a list of all time favorites? Do you read and reread a favorite?

I will be pulling some books for Annie and I to read together this summer sometime later in the week. I'll let you know what we come up with soon.


Enjoy the day,
Robyn







8 comments:

  1. This post, like when Stacy Nash posts new patterns, could get me into a bit of trouble with time management. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love to read when I have a few minutes and what I've been drawn to in the past has been mostly books about self discovery and inner healing. Right now I'm reading Heal your bBody by Louise L. Hay about the mental causes for physical illness and the metaphysical way to overcome them.
    and the other one is Discovering your Personality Type by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson , the essential introduction to Enneagram.

    I like that you and Annie read together. Happy reading.

    Hugs,
    Julia

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice! It seems to me that guys tend toward nonfiction more often than ficition -- I wonder why? Although my guys like Sci Fi and Fantasy. Me, I love historical fiction. I used to read more history, but these days I don't have patience. Which is sort of sad.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh they all look like a great read, thanks Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for listing some of the books you like, will read them, some I already have. Have you read Dear Abigail?

    ReplyDelete
  6. My Book Club read "The Pilot's Wife", a story about Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Fascinating. It puts a Gift from the Sea in a whole new perspective.
    nancee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lovely selection of books. I am reading The Red House, the story of the oldest continually lived in house in the US and I am getting ready to start listening to Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel.

    ReplyDelete