Summer reading list

Yesterday, Mr. John Swinburn made reference to our un-officially "long-forgotten" "What Are You Reading" list over there on the right side of the screen. Although Ellie updates it religiously, and Jacquie is on top of it too, I, well, I just don't, and am not. I'm not exactly sure why. Apathy mostly.

There was a day that I updated it semi-religiously (which is perhaps all I can expect from my dear self who is decidedly un-religious), but that somehow fell away after I gave birth to my third child and was once again consumed with tending to all the things baby. Which is to say many, many time consuming, sleep robbing tasks. I didn't read much during this period, which I know will shock all of you mothers out there.

I was slower than normal getting back into the reading routine, but back I finally am, and I'm looking to pick your reading brain.

I just finished a book last night, so I'm in that sweet spot where the possibilities are almost endless. Which book will beguile me to crack its cover this time?

That's where you come in....

But I'll share too.

The book I finished last night was "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. I found it delightful, but would not recommend this read to everyone. It's short and sweet, and full of happy magic. A decided turn-off for many, I'm sure. But if you want a delightful diversion, I recommend it. It's delicious.

Prior to that I finally got around to reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. Loved it! Jacquie told me about this book years ago, I vividly remember looking at her as if she was a woman gone mad as she explained the premise -- one girl and boy are chosen from each of 12 provinces to fight to the death, on live television; a sort of "Survivor" gone terribly wrong.  You crazy lady! I mean seriously, young-adult science fiction? And violent at that? That is just not my thing. I stand corrected!



Who can lend me "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay"? Anyone?



This spring I happened to pick up "Breakfast with Buddha" by Roland Merullo before a red-eye flight, and am happy to report that it sustained me through the freezing night. The novel is funny, and light, and who doesn't love a road trip read? Or well-played spiritual humor?

I also picked up "Radio Shangri-La" for the same flight. Unfortunately, I wasn't as taken with this book, although I did learn about Bhutan, which is something, and I did identify with the author's desire to reshape her life. I think my disappointment was mostly a case of overly elevated expectations. I wanted more. But maybe you won't? (Now that's a glowing review!)

The next few are books I read long ago, but are in my current consciousness because I just picked them up for a friend. I've admitted that I have a second-hand book buying addition before, and these recent purchases are just proof of my never ending jones. But, worth mentioning here I think.

"Five Quarters of the Orange" by Joanne Harris -- ever read it? No? Well do. I loved this book. Harris does a bang-up job of writing from a child's viewpoint. True, it may be a little dark, but you know, so is life sometimes...

Okay, back to light and humorous. (It is summer for pete's sake.) I thoroughly enjoyed Helen Fielding's first novel, "Cause Celeb." It's fun, flighty, irreverent. Well, as fun as you can make an African famine, anyway. This book is a smash up of movie stars and refugees that works. Who can do that?  In my opinion Feilding can.

That's all I've got for now. What do you have for me?

Who knows, maybe I'll even update the "What Are You Reading" list.