Summer Reading List

This will be a busy summer for me so I keeping my reading list to a manageable five books, especially with the possibility of some monthly reads from my book club, TLC. Diversifying my reading styles is key this summer as is reading some books I have talked about diving into but have yet to do so! Here is what I am thinking:

• The British Classic: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• I can't believe I have never read this book, but I haven't and I really don't know why. One would think I have read it because I teach high school English. I love the movie and I vaguely know Mr. Darcy and the Bennet Family. But it is about time I become more acquainted with these timeless characters which have been sitting on my bookshelf, unopened for far too long. It is about time I get this ultimate classic checked off my must-read list.

• The Pulitzer Prize Winner: Empire Falls by Richard Russo
  
• This book has also been sitting on my bookshelf for a while. Its length is daunting at 480 pages and that could just possibly be the reason I haven't read it. But I have recently made it a mission to read books I have bought or received as gifts in the past before getting new ones. Therefore, it is time to read the book which won a Pulitzer Prize more than 10 years ago and focuses on a blue-collar town in Maine. This seems to have more mature themes or perspectives than the book choices below so I am really hoping I don't whisk this to the side since it is summer, it has been a rough year, and I might not feel like reading serious, thoughtful commentary on middle-lower class America. Or, maybe it will provide some inspiration!

• The Series Closer: Reached by Ally Condie
  
• This book was released in November. I can't wait to read it and finish up the Matched Trilogy but I just haven't had the time. The other two books were decent adolescent literature yet what I liked most was the strong female protagonist. Although she is mostly chasing love, she is also chasing a new life. It took her a bit to realize it was okay to be who she wanted rather than who society forced her to be. But she got out and I am definitely ready to see what this new world has in store for her.

•  The Series Continuer: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
  
• The Luner Series started off with Cinder, a modern take on the classic "Cinderella". It involved cyborgs and androids living in a futuristic world yet the universal themes of acceptance, wanting for love, and family issues were still there. Now we have the next book which takes on another classic fairy tale, "Little Red Riding Hood". I am looking forward to the mix of old and new again as well as the mixing of two fairy tales since Cinder's story will no doubt be incorporated. This idea of 'fairy tales made new' is quite popular now and I love it.

• A Fan Favorite: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  
• I keep hearing how great this book is and I have even recommended it to some of my students because of all the rave reviews, but I haven't actually read it myself. Leaving clues in the forms of tapes as to why a girl killed herself is the premise for this novel. I have a funny feeling this will eventually be made into a movie with all the teenage love it has received. So I better get a move on it or I will be rushing to finish before seeing the movie.