Summer Reads

I think that every blog post I write this summer should have "summer" in the title somehow.  And, not to be confused with Summer Reads of Beasts, the other day I got an email saying all the books I had put on hold at the library down the street were in. I had sort of forgotten what i'd requested so it was a fun surprise.  Strangely, they were mostly all available simultaneously. When I went to the library to pick them up I was pleased and amused at what appeared to be quite the eclectic collection. I thought maybe I could do a summer book review, because THAT'S nothing new, am i right?? But perhaps I can put a different twist on it somehow, as which is a general goal in all that I do.  We'll see.    But for now, here's the list:

1. I Am Spock, by Leonard Nimoy.  This is a mid-90's sequel to I Am Not Spock, published 20 years previous, after the original hullabaloo of the short-lived television series.  I would have read that one first but it wasn't in the library so when faced with the decision of Spock or No Spock, i will always opt for Spock.  First rule of thumb. (--what a weird expression. somebody tell me what it means.)

2. Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White.  A classic. And right up my country and old times-loving alley. Julian and I are reading this one together and heartily loving it. It's so good.

3. Sarah's Key, by somebody.  Since I love WWII tales, someone recommended this to me forever ago and I actually remembered it and put a hold on it--miracle.  I can never remember people's recommendations.  Instead of just recommending the thing, why don't they just GET the thing FOR me and bring it to my door? "Hey, you know what you should try? THIS cheesecake from that new place! Voila!" (then they present it from behind their back for good surprise effect) This ensures I will try it out and then I will totally get back to them when i'm done. Everybody's happy. Everybody wins.

4. Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin, by someone.  Since we read up and visited many-a museum showcasing Benjamin Franklin, such a fascinating character, I thought it might be interesting to read about his sister whose name I remember seeing here and there but not sure how she was involved, etc. We'll see.  Who knows, maybe she'll turn out to be the dud Franklin.

5. Longbourn, by someone also.  Tells of the goings-on at Longbourn house from the point of view of the servants to the family Bennett.  Sounds pretty good, right?

Maybe for each book i'll have a template of questions, or maybe i'll try to find the common theme that MUST be there connecting them even though these were all chosen at random.  For example:

• What I liked
• What I didn't like
• Favorite quote
• If I had to be someone in the book, who would I be and why
• a stray, loosely related story the book sort brings to mind. 
• This book's take on the selected theme. But how can i select it unless i've already read ALL the books?? Oh hey, i'm still typing in this bulleted list.

Well anyway, let's give it a try.   How's your summer going? What are you reading? Any recommendations? ;)