A Pretty Pile of Pages

There's nothing better than sitting outside on a sunny day and reading. At least, if you're me there isn't. Here's my summer reading list so far : 

1. Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw. If you've ever seen the musical My Fair Lady, you already know the story line-- this is the play the musical was based on. I'm halfway done with this and have to say it's rather funny, definitely one of my favorites. 

2. Tess of the D'urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy. I've also started this one and am dismayed to report that it is not going to end up on my favorites list. Everything goes so slowly. This is probably because the issues are not physically there-- they're mostly in Tess's head.  

3. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. What can I say? Pride and Prejudice is one of the best books ever. I've seen the movie (the really really long version) enough times to know that!

4. The Pale Horse, by Agatha Christie. I love a good mystery, and this one has some black magick involved. Sounds good to me! Agatha Christie is one of my favorite writers. 

5. From Russia With Love, by Ian Fleming. Ok, so every time I've gone into the bookstore, the James Bond books stare right at me. I finally gave in and bought this one, the first James Bond book I've read. It turned out to be a great one! I love love love spies, so this is perfect. I wonder why I've never picked one of these up before? (I bought two others recently and have had to hide them for AFTER I finish Tess, which is required reading for school. Otherwise nothing will get done! Grrr.) 

6. An Old Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott. I love any Alcott book, and this copy is from the early 1900s, which earns it major bonus points. Old books are so much fun!  I haven't read this one in a while, so it's a nice treat. 

7. Stupid American History, by Leland Gregory. This is not a novel-- it's a collection of silly history facts. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln is the only president to have held a patent? (His invention was a kind of air bag/flotation device for ships) I'm a definite history fanatic, and so is my dad-- we've had fun with this book.

8. Twenty Boy Summer, by Sarah Ockler. This is a great beach read (especially because most of it takes place at the beach) and has a great summer feel. I love Sarah's style-- the way she tells it, Zanzibar Bay could be a real place! It unfortunately isn't, so I'll just let her main characters Anna and Frankie have all the fun there. 

So what's on your summer reading list? Anything obscure and interesting, or is it full of school stuff? 

Comments

[Robbie]

That is quite a list! Are most of those for school, or more pleasure?

Twenty Boy Summer is excellent, perfect for the beach.

[Margie]

Right now I am reading Evermore, Blue Moon, every Dessen book in paperback because I had never read any, and Un Lun Dun by China Mieville which I bought for my kid and then stole. I just finished Geektastic which was pretty hilarious. And I loved Summoning and Awakening. I think that covers the past week! You are so classy compared to me. I have only read 1,2,3 and 8 on your list. Esp curious to know how 6 is. Are you on Goodreads? xo Margie

[Trisha]

Good books.. I also love to read outside.. But having 2 kids I don't get to do that much. :)
I want to read twenty boy summer. i have heard good things about it.

[Caster Girl 25]

Ive been meaning to pick up some agatha christie. I just finished Hate List, Ash & Fire and I am working my way through The Demons Lexicon and then will move on to Eyes Like Stars.

[Vania]

i got tons.. and i fell overwhelmed. But some books i am looking forward to read that i havent yet are: along for the ride, shiver, impossible, sleepless and another faust. PHEW and i doubt half of those will be read by the time i start school

[Margie]

i want to read shiver and along for the ride too...