Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Summer Reading List 2008

At the end of last summer I asked you what you had read over the season. Here we are entering another school year, one that gets busy with carting kids around, attending and hosting events and loosing Dave to meetings every other night. If you are like me, you may have been able to actually carve some time out of a more lazy, relaxed summer schedule to finish a book or two! So I ask, what did you read? Would you share with us all? Once again, I'll compile a list and encourage you to check it out when you are in need of a good read.

I read two truly awesome books this summer. Yes, finishing both of these did keep me up into the wee hours of the morning, but the loss of sleep was worth it! The first was Newberry Honor winning The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt (a professor I was privileged enough to have at Calvin!). Some parts were so touching, I cried. Some parts were so funny, I cried again. While technically a piece of young adult literature, I think you would appreciate the historical setting, Shakespeare references, journey of the narrator and wit most as an adult. The second book I'll recommend is Mistaken Identity by the Cerak and Van Ryn Families. Unlike Wednesday Wars, this is not a book that is superb in plot or even writing, yet it tells a story so remarkable: of the two Taylor College girls switched after a car accident. The testimony of the families (who tell the story) ministered powerfully to me. What an incredible story of faith!


How about you? Want to share a book you read? Please give me the title, author and a quick description of the book or reason you liked it. Thanks and be sure to check back!

2 comments:

KyleVM said...

One of the books I read this summer was "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara. It is a novel about the battle of Gettysburg and came highly recommended from several people. Shaara does a remarkable job at re-creating what those three terrible days were like from the perspectives of the commanders and soldiers on both sides. It taught me so much about the battle and the stories of the people behind it. I highly recommend it to all.

Anonymous said...

Going along with Jens young adult theme I read 2 really good childrens books this summer:
1.) Leap Pike Ridge-A boy runs away and floats down river on a refrigerator box. He discovers mysteries and the secrets of his familys past along the way.
2.) Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie-A jr. high drummer learns how to deal with his younger brothers battle with cancer.
More adult reads:
1.) Mary Modern-A biochemist longs to have a child and knows she can through cloning her grandmothers DNA. Very interesting!
2.) Jemima J.- An overweight Londoner finds a whole new world after going on a diet and moving to the states.
Enjoy!
Love,
Kris