Summer has always been the time of the year when I read the most. I love sitting by the pool or beach with a good book, or curling up in a cold air conditioned home away from the heat. I was even one of those kids nerds who enjoyed getting a list of required reading during the summer. I loved going to the bookstore or library, browsing all of the new releases and picking out my favorites.
This summer is no different. Here are some books I have been reading lately:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I first read this book when it was released in July 2007 (luckily enough I was in Europe and scored a British copy), but I re-read it this summer to prepare for the movie coming out next week.
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I was very excited about reading Water for Elephants, but ended up disappointed. It felt a little too what’s the word?… cliche, predictable, written for the purpose of turning it in to a 1930s movie? I just didn’t enjoy it. But don’t take my word for it, because everyone I’ve talked to liked it.
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
This book is told from the perspective of an autistic boy who tries to solve a crime and travels across London. It was a very easy read and I found the perspective clever and unique.
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I started this book on my way back from the honeymoon, so I was stuck in the airport and airplane while I read. If it hadn’t had my undivided attention, I am not sure if I would have finished it. It was written from a dog’s point of view, but it was very slow and dry. (Although, I guess a dog’s life can seem that way at times.)
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I loved The Help. It was an easy, thought-provoking read, and Kathryn Stockett did a fabulous job in plot and character development. It is probably the first book in a long time that I didn’t want to finish, and I cannot wait for the movie to come out.
House Rules is about an autistic child who is a murder suspect. Since I had already read an autistic-themed book, I wasn’t as into this book as I probably would have been, plus I am not a huge fan of crime and justice story lines. However, it really put into perspective all of the lives that are affected by autism and it kept my attention the whole time.
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I was quite inspired by The Happiness Project and may adopt some of its principles to my own life… which means, you’ll hear an official opinion on this book in another post. ;)
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What have you been reading this summer?
I recently finished the Happiness Project as well, it is a very inspiring book! Looking forward to your review! I want to incorporate some of her principles into my life, I think the first on the list should be no procrastinating! I was supposed to start July 1! :-)
Harry Potter is always a good re-read as well. I re-read it before Part 1. The Help is also on my list!
The Help is on my list too.
It’s probably a good idea to re-read Harry Potter.
I’m one of those people who liked Water for Elephants, but completely get what you’re saying.
I usually find myself starting more books than I actually finish, but two that are strong contenders for me to finish are Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” and Jennifer Ouellette’s “The Calculus Diaries.”
I’m currently enjoying The Happiness Project. About halfway through already and it’s only been a couple of days since I’ve started it. I’m doing plenty of reading in the A/C but I really need to start reading on a beach or by a pool! :)
I got to see an advance screening of the movie version of The Help a little while ago… it’s just as good as the book! I have a feeling they’ll do some editing before the final release, but what I saw followed the book to a T.
I’ve heard a lot about The Happiness Project… on my list!
I loved The Happiness Project, I will be interested to hear what you have to say.
I saw a trailer for The Help, the trailer at least seemed to be a comedy, which the book decidely is NOT – so we’ll see.
Interesting to hear your thoughts on Water For Elephants – I was thinking of reading it until I saw the trailer for the movie, which looked and sounded totally cliche.
I loooved “The Help,” and also can’t wait for the movie. Have you read “Secret Daughter”? Another great book about the lives of women.
I’m looking forward to reading Sarah Dessen’s book (“What happened to goodbye”) as well as the Fug Girls’ “Spoiled” and a bunch of dystopian books to fill the hole left by The Hunger Games (currently reading “Uglies” which is really great).
I’ve added the last three to my reading list (which is already a mile long!) I read the curious incident of the dog in the night a few years ago and thought it was a pretty good book. Not necessarily one I’d read again, but the perspective was a bit different, which I enjoyed.
Hi:
From your list I read Harry Potter, The Help that I love and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time that i love too…
I have to read more than I do, but between cooking, sewing and blogging I have no time, and FB, and look for a job…
I hope that The Help, the movie, will follow the book as Heather said, and don´t make drastic changes…