Sunday, July 26, 2009

Summer Reading

To me, summer reading bring up images of shopping, ditsy female characters. and conveniently romantic scenarios. This summer, however, my selection of reading has been overwhelmingly about strong female narrators who make choices within rigid communities and find themselves in situations that are anything by typical. (Coincidence, I think not...) Challenge yourself to read some amazing literature this summer, and check out the list below.



The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
Stephenie Meyer calls this book a cross between Little House and the Prairie and X-Men. Nothing is ever as it appears in this book, which makes it a delicious page-turner.







Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein

A study in perspective since the story is told by two narrators, cousins from opposite sides of the conflict. In vivid detail, this book describes how life changed for ordinary people during the Civil War. This is historical fiction at its best.










The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

A candid view into a isolationist polygamist community and the consequences of blind obedience to leaders. It is an intensely powerful book about the value of intellectual and emotional freedom.






Alis by Naomi Rich

Read Alis along with The Chosen One to compare and contrast a realistic fiction situation and a Orwellian Puritan future. Perhaps very little separates the reality from dismal post-Apocalyptic visions. Both books put female characters in impossible situations and show how they rise above their shackles.







The Thirteenth Child by by Patricia C. Wrede

The first book in an exciting new series by one of fantasy's best writers. Imagine the American frontier but with dragons, magic, and wizards.












Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

A revolutionary novel, Skeleton Creek uses viral videos and the written word to tell this ghost story. Prepare to lose sleep after watching Sara's videos, but you'll love how you can interact with the book. The sequel comes out in the fall and I am already counting down the days.








Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott

Women warriors. Evil uncles. Hidden identities. What more could you want from a fantasy book?











Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

No matter our nationalities or origins, we all feel like we live double-lives at some point, where there are elements of our culture that we cannot share with others. This book makes us feel less alone.













If I Stay by Gayle Forman

The plot sounds like a Nicholas Sparks novel, but reads like no other author. Listen to this one on CD, narrated by the fabulous Kirsten Potter, and you will think, laugh, and cry.










The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
After civilization ends, the world is populated by zombies. The community is the only thing keeping you safe from the wild elements. What happens when you begin to question the community? Like an onion (or a parfait), this book has so many layers that make it an amazing read.


1 comment:

  1. This is a great summer reading list Eti! I'm have added some of these books to my ever growing "must read" list, though at this rate I won't get around to reading the ones on the bottom until winter 2016. I shared your blog site with my sister-in-law and my nephew, Fred, Who is always looking for more challenging books to read. He will be 8 next week and just finished the Harry Potter Series earlier this year. Love the blog, keep up the great work!

    -Janine

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