Colleen's comments (member since Apr 30, 2008)

Colleen's comments from the UC San Diego Libraries Summer Reading! group.

With the contest winding down I thought it would be fun to hear about everybody's favorite book this summer. So what did you love?

I think my favorite this year (so far) is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It was a great tale about the history of the Sarajevo Haggadah based on clues found during book conservation. Might have had a bad ending but the story was great and I learned a lot!

I am really interested in LEARNING as I read for this year's Summer Reading contest (last year was about laughter). Does anyone have suggestions of books to read where I will learn something WHILE being entertained? The last two books I read were both informative and entertaining (The Dionne Years A Thirties Melodrama and People of the Book) and I would love to continue the trend. I'm really interested in San Diego history - since I don't really know much about it! I really do enjoy historical fiction - so it doesn't have to be straight up history/skills, but it can be if it is good enough.

Rachel (And everyone else)-

I read A Long Way Down last year! It was quite entertaining! I always love to read about how people randomly meet and forge friendships/forced bonds through tragedy (or near tragedy). If you like that melding of stories you should totally read the book I just finished - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I should warn you, definitely not a "fun/light" book - but so interesting! It is great to read about all the different people that influenced and moved/saved the Sarajevo Haggadah. And so much history!

If I start reading a book this weekend, but complete it on or after May 1st, can that be reviewed for the contest?

Have you ever read John Welter? His books always seem hard to find but are pretty good. I really like "Begin to Exit Here" and "Night of the Avenging Blowfish: A Novel of Covert Operations, Love, and Luncheon Meat". "I Want to Buy a Vowel" just didn't tickle me the way the other two did.

(I'm trying out the formatting tips from the "some html is ok" link. . . see how it goes!)

I tried reading "Confederacy of Dunces" over winter break and got about 1/2 way through and had to stop. Might have to try it again - I've heard it is amazing but I tend to lean towards more mindless pleasure reading.


Thanks for the ideas! Any other suggestions? I'll take as many as I can get! I just finished my last Sedaris of the summer and had a rough start on a "serious" book so am in the market for the good humor.

I was introduced to David Sedaris this summer and am so glad that I was! However, I am now wondering what else there is out there for me to read that will keep me giggling on the bus ride home. Any suggestions?