This year, I’m letting you know what I’ve been reading every three months. I’m running a little behind where I need to be, so for this update, there are only 19 titles to include.
The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey: This is a dystopian novel recommended by my daughter-in-law, Tiffany. She knows I like these kinds of books. This is the first in a series (as most dystopian novels these days are), and that’s fine by me. I’m not-so-patiently waiting for the second title to be released so I can see what happens next.
The Inferno by Dante: This is one of the titles my AP students chose last year for a group project. Since I reread all the books they are currently reading, a reread of this one was required. As usual, this one makes you think. Hell is definitely not a place you want to go.
The Natural by Bernard Malamud: This one has been on the AP list for a while, but this is the first time it was chosen, so it was my first opportunity to actually read it. I had watched the movie before. It stars Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs. This movie was one of my favorites. And then I read the book. I always say the book is better than the movie, but I’m having a hard time with this one, mainly because I saw the movie first. I knew as I was reading that the movie was vastly different but after finishing the book, I re-watched the movie just to be sure. The character of Roy Hobbs is much more likable in the movie. He’s not a very nice guy in the book. That being said, I could probably justify why the movie changed things up, but I’m still a purist, and I still believe movies should stay true to the texts they’re based on. Granted, I would’ve had a hard time watching Robert Redford play such an unlikable character, but I believe Redford could have pulled it off and made Hobbs more sympathetic, even if he played him as written in the original text.
Life Lessons from the Bradys by Anthony Rubino, Jr.: This is a short book of witty life lessons that can be learned from watching The Brady Bunch, and those lessons are articulated and are just as cheesy as the TV show. However, this is my all-time favorite sitcom from my childhood, and I’ll read anything related to this show or these characters. That said, there are many good life lessons to be learned from the Bradys. The book, however, will make more sense and be funnier if you’ve actually watched all episodes of The Brady Bunch, and especially if you’ve watched them often enough to quote them verbatim.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway: This is another of the AP books for last year’s projects, and this is also the first time I’ve read this work. I liked the story but I was very disappointed in how the book ended. Given what I know of Hemingway, it makes perfect sense that he would choose to end the book the way he did, but I still didn’t like it. Nor did the group who presented this book.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote: This is another of the AP books for last year’s projects. Many of the students are intrigued by this one because they’ve heard of the movie or they recognize Tiffany’s jewelry store. It’s a short, easy read, and overall, it’s much more pleasant than other Capote works I’ve read.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: This is the final book that was used for an AP group project. This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I was appreciative of the opportunity to read it again. It’s a fresh read every time. I will always look forward to a visit with Scout, Dill, Jem, Atticus, Calpurnia, Boo, and the rest of the residents of Maycomb, Alabama.
Good Call: Reflections on Faith, Family, & Fowl by Jase Robertson: I’m a fan of Duck Dynasty. There, I admitted it. I love the family-friendly atmosphere of the show. I appreciate that there can be a show of good, clean fun, with no cursing. When the Robertsons have put out a book, I’ve been one of the first to buy it, and I have to finish whatever I’ve been reading quickly so I can get to read it. I like how the books show they are just ordinary people getting to have an extraordinary experience. They haven’t always had it easy, but they don’t act entitled, and they believe they are responsible for their actions. What a refreshing point of view in today’s society.
The Women of Duck Commander by the Robertson Wives: Here’s the story of the ladies married to the Robertsons. Again, they haven’t always had it easy, and some of them make some hard confessions, but it just shows that they are real people, faced with real problems, who stand by what they believe in. This is another good read.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: I needed a short book to get another title in May, so I went to this classic, which believe it or not, I’d never read before. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and I was shocked, yet not shocked, by the end of this one. I can see what it happened the way it did, but wished there’d been another option.
Matched, Crossed, Reached by Allie Condie: These three books are more dystopian novels, and again, these were recommended by my daughter-in-law Tiffany. I really enjoy all the different ways these authors present their dystopian novels, while at the same time, wondering how much longer before we actually live in a society such as the ones presented in these novels. Everybody always wants to believe that it can’t or won’t happen, but I’m not so sure. I did enjoy these books, and as usual, we can learn a lot about the importance of taking action to ensure our society doesn’t become a dystopia. Apathy will be the death of us.
The 8th Confession, The 9th Judgment, 10th Anniversary, 11th Hour, 12th of Never by James Patterson: I had gotten really behind on Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club books, and so I finally decided to catch myself up on the series. I love Patterson’s books. They’re fast-paced which makes them easy to read. There’s enough mystery to keep a reader wondering what’s going to happen next and guessing at who the bad guy really is. If you haven’t read any Patterson, particularly the Alex Cross or the WMC books, I highly recommend them.
A book I can’t tell you about just yet by an author I can’t disclose: I also had the pleasure of reading a book written by a friend of mine. This book is not yet published, and I had the opportunity to read it and offer proofreading and feedback services. It was a great read, and I hope that sometime in the future, I can reveal more about this book to you because I’m hoping to see it published.
And there you have it, what I’ve read between April 1 and June 30. I have eight books already chosen for reading in July, and I’m certainly looking forward to getting started. After all, when I do this again at the end of September, I really need to have 23 books to include. So with that, I’m off to continue reading.
educatedguesswork 