Episode 7: Summer Reading: what does it mean to you?

[Ann]

Do you change what you read during the summer? Some people (myself included) will often refer to a book as a "great summer read" or a "beach book." Does that mean anything to you? Are you as likely to take a classic to the beach as the latest thriller?

let us know your thoughts. We are going to be recording a new podast episode on Monday, the topic of which is, of course: summer reading.

Thanks!
Ann

[Barbara]

I don't work part of the summer and, when I do, the stress is greatly reduced. So, reading in the summer means that I can spend long periods really immersing myself in the plot and characters. Often, in the winter months, I'm reading a chapter or two before I go to sleep or sneaking some time on a Saturday afternoon. That makes for an entirely different reading experience. Because of this, I tend to read one or two more difficult books in the summer. That's how I read Anna Karenina and War and Peace. But, of course, I always read a few good mysteries as well. This summer, Bookwoman's Last Fling by John Dunning is calling to me from my bookshelves.

[Dottie]

I think my definition of a summer read or a beach book has shifted over time. When I was younger and in school I would opt for deeper, longer reading during summer when I had all day everyday to read if I so chose to spend the time. Then when I was teaching briefly -- I would look forward to holidays and those lovely summer months in a slightly different way but still I could spend more time with a given book then.

Once I had children, reading suffered a great deal for a time then I started again and have steadily read more and more over the years. When they were infants and toddlers -- lighter reading allowed me to put the book down and return to the story with greater ease. Later their school schedules allowed something similar to my own younger days. When their schedules became insane -- me at the wheel for a great part of each day -- I read while waiting their lessons, classes, soccer practices.

I'm not helping, am I?

[Ann]

Yes, Dottie, you are all helping! I think there are multiple answers to the question "what is summer reading," and some of you have reflected my view ... you'll need to listen on Wednesday to see which one of you :)

I have the NY Times Book Review "Summer Reading" issue on the pile of things to read, so I will be curious to see their approach.

Barbara, Bookwoman's Last Fling is a book that I need to check out. I read Dunning's first book, but nothing since. My husband calls me 'bookwoman' on occasion (usually when he has to move 8 boxes of ARCs off the front porch).

[Michael]

So, Ron, have you read WUTHERING HEIGHTS before, or do you always assign yourself something you've never read?

[Ann]

Ron, Wuthering Heights might be my most favorite summer read ever! Great choice, though I suspect from Michael's comment that you may have read it before ...

[Stephen]

Since my lifestyle doesn't change all that much during the summer, there is no "summer reading" agenda I have. Generally, I intersperse the "heavier" materials (The Road and Atonement being two recent examples), with what may or may not turn out to be "mental popcorn" (Shadow of the Wind, World Without End, and some sci-fi or fantasy).

[Michael]

Thanks for the comment Stephen! I'm actually planning on recommending Shadow of the Wind for Summer Reading on our next podcast!

[Dottie]

I may have to borrow that term "mental popcorn" from you, Stephen.

I've gone "summer" this week by throwing over every one of the four books from the currently reading shelf for an unknown entity called Something Like a Love Affair (author? see shelf) along with re-reading The Enchanted April (the July selection for CR or CC on Constant Reader group) and beginning A Stained White Radiance (a Dave Robicheaux mystery from James Lee Burke).

[Jennifer]

Like Stephen, my lifestyle doesn't change dramatically in the summer so in general, neither does my reading list. However, I do take pains to ensure that I only bring books I'm really excited about on vacation since there is nothing worse than being on a plane with a book you are not enjoying. I always travel with plenty of back up reading material just in case one of my selections lets me down. I just came back from a weekend in Savannah and thoroughly enjoyed Mister Pip (which had me to tears on the plane!) and Three Men in a Boat (does it get any lighter than Three Men?).

Shadow of the Wind is a great pick for someone looking for traditional "summer reading". And I also recommend The Eight by Katherine Neville. I think I reread that every year around this time.

[Ann]

Hey Jennifer, have you been eavesdropping on our 'summer reading' podcast recording session?? You'll see on Wednesday what I mean by that.

In the meantime, I also am a huge fan of The Eight -- you'll be happy to know that Katherine Neville has a sequel coming out this fall! I haven't read it yet, but it's on my Sony Reader (which is this summer's answer to traveling with enough reading material ... I am taking somewhere around 35 books with me in one little package. It's a new adventure, so I'll let you know how it goes in August. So far I don't love my Sony Reader, but if means I don't have to pay for an extra suitcase, all the better.

[Michael]

Stephen-

a warning... we've borrowed your term "mental popcorn" for the podcast! We'll credit you in the show notes and link to your goodreads profile. It's such a great term, we couldn't resist!

thanks again,
Michael

[Savvy]

I also don't alter my reading habits much in the summer. I try to read what my book clubs are reading first and then add on eclectically from various sources.

But sometimes, like after a series of books that would be more of the "mental fudge" variety (rich, dense, and chewy)... I need to grab some of the "popcorn" and escape for a spell.
:-)
Susanne

[Stephen]

glad you all like the term. and by all means, use it at will. I wonder if someone will circulate a list of the top 101 "mental popcorn classics". Or is that a contradiction in terms?

[Ann]

Stephen, thanks. Sadly, the URL www.mentalpopcorn.com has already been taken, but maybe you can trademark the name anyway :)

Love your idea of the list! We should start a list ... maybe 'popcorn vs. fudge'. Books on similar themes that fall into each category. Hmmm ...

[Jennifer]

Ann, I'm so excited to hear that Katherine Neville is hard at work on a sequel to The Eight! I didn't enjoy her other two books (The Magic Circle and Calculated Risk) quite as much but I'll keep my fingers crossed that she comes through with a great story.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and The Thirteen Tale by Diane Setterfield have similar structures to The Eight, combining a story lines in the past and present. Both would make good "mental popcorn".

[Stephanie]

I am new, and just listened to this podcast last night on the treadmill. I wanted to chime in and be part of the community...almost one year later...

I teach high school, so for me, summer reading is all about QUANTITY! I can stay up late, read at the condo pool, take books to my parents' boat on the weekends, and just ENJOY. I read every night before bed during the school year, but go to sleep at 9:30 or so (5am comes early!). In the summer I will stay up until 2am or later reading, especially if it is a great book.

This summer is extra special: I will be done with grad school AND I don't have a wedding to plan anymore. I look forward to crossing many books off of my list. I started a shelf for books from this Podcast, and in June I am going to start tackling them!

[Ann]

Yay! Stephanie, I'm envious that you get the summers to read, but I don't envy teaching high school. My best friend teaches HS and there's no way I could ever be good at that.

[Stephanie]

It is a rough job. And usually thankless. I love my holidays and summers off, but I'll tell you what - teachers earn them. I worked in the business field before going back to school to become a teacher and all I ever hear about now is "You hardly ever work during the year and you only work from 7-2:30." WRONG. It is a hard job, and working with 110 teens per day is tough. I am ranting. I see that, but as a newer teacher, I have a whole new respect for how tough it is.

My degrees are in English and Spanish. I teach Spanish, but originally thought about getting my PhD to teach English at a university or work for a publishing company. English is really my first love, and I envy your job! I would love to learn more about what you do.

[Ann]

It's very cool that you teach Spanish. My kids' school has the hardest time finding (and keeping) Spanish teachers. It's 1000 students, K-12, and everyone has Spanish daily, so they need many teachers. My 4th grader had a sub who didn't speak Spanish for the first term! It was terrible.

[Barbara]

Chiming in as another teacher here, the kids are there for those limited hours, but a teacher's job goes on far into the night and on weekends. That's what those who look in from the outside usually miss.

[[deleted user]]

It's 2009 and Michael has started the discussion about Summer Reading Lists. As I perused the NPR and Oprah lists, I asked myself "what is 'Summer Reading anymore?'" and voila! the next time I logged into the Group Discussions, this thread popped up! For myself, "Summer Reading" or "Beach Reading" no longer have any meaning. When I was in grade school, it always meant a list that each of us were meant to tackle before school resumed in the Fall; but now "Summer Releases" are much more relevant. That said, this year, I've decided to join the BOTB Challenge, and so my Summer Reading now consists of four Classics!