summer 2016 and the bookshelf.

Hello, dear readers!

It’s June, the time of year when life slows down and routines become gentler and there’s more free time — right?

Why do I feel like this isn’t always the case?

I’ve been shocked at how quickly our summer has threatened to become as full of activities as the school year. There are so many fun things to do! Invitations and play dates and cook-outs. Even before we returned from vacation in Florida last week, I started to feel overwhelmed and sad.

What about long, lazy days, staying in pj’s most of the morning, slurping homemade Popsicles out in the pavilion, baking cookies together? What about riding bikes? What about chunks of time to teach my kids a few more chores around the house — and to be home long enough so they can actually do those chores? What about book baskets sprinkled throughout the house and plenty of hours to curl up and read?

Then suddenly I realized: Wait. Just because there’s lots of wonderful options, does not mean we have to do them all. We certainly have a say in how our summer turns out.

And so, two weeks into June, I’ve come up with a vision for our summer, and I find myself saying “no” far more than I say “yes.” Not because I don’t have friends to see or fun things to let my kids participate in. But because I want to rest. I want something different than the schedule we keep all year — wonderful as that is.

I want my kids to feel bored, so they learn how to make their own fun. I do not want to be their chauffeur. I want to linger and cuddle on the sofa and tickle Gabe while he cackles with laughter, and play Uno in the living room during the sweltering afternoon heat. I want Poetry Teatime with Mum-Mum, and to practice reading with Amie every day (because she said just this weekend, “Mommy, I want to read Little House in the Big Woods together, but you’re always too busy”).

And so here we are. We’re doing a few fun things this summer. We will certainly see friends and family. We’ve already tackled some big house projects and I’m sure will do some more. We’ll keep up with swim practice twice a week.

But I have whole day-blocks in my calendar that are completely blank. And right now, that’s a delicious feeling.

The last proper Bookshelf post I wrote was at the end of January; I’ve come to know and love so many new books in the last four or so months, and I’m excited to share them with you! Hopefully you’ll find something here that you can take on vacation or to the lake or maybe just to your back porch with iced tea or a glass of cold white wine.

I divided the books into categories, so you can just skim the list and see what you’re in the mood for. Some of these titles I’ve mentioned in previous posts, but I think they’re worth repeating. I’ll keep descriptions brief, to save my own sanity, and yours!

Happy summer and happy reading!

 

Fiction

Walking Across Egypt, Clyde Edgerton

A little novel set in a Southern small-town that follows the misadventures of the opinionated, 78-year-old Mattie Rigsbee and the juvenile delinquent she befriends. This book was both laugh-out-loud-funny and moving.

 

A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman

Ove is a middle-aged, bitter, and quite unlikable man. At first. As you peel back the layers of his story, you start to understand the path he’s traveled. I thoroughly enjoy the group of people that march themselves into his life, and change it forever. (Heads up for language)

 

Historical Fiction

These Is My Words, Nancy Turner

I know I’ve mentioned this book already; it remains one of my favorite historical fiction novels. It’s filled with all the calamity you can expect from a historical novel set in the Arizona Territory in the time of the Indian wars, but despite the violence, and some farfetched twists in the plot, I love it. The characters feel like dear friends.

 

My Name is Resolute, Nancy Turner

This is a long novel, but one I was unable to put down; so reader, beware. It just might consume your time until you finish it! I haven’t read a novel about Revolutionary-era America in as long as I can remember. I didn’t adore it quite as much as These Is My Words, but still found it a great read.

 

The Summer Before the War, Helen Simonson

Once in awhile I’ll read a book and just swell with pride for the author for his or her accomplishment. That’s how I felt about The Summer Before the War. Set at the start of World War 1 in East Sussex, England, it reads like a much-older classic, in the best of ways.

 

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Helen Simonson

I then felt compelled to read Simonson’s first novel, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, and highly enjoyed it too. This novel is set in modern day England and it explores the issues of family, immigration, and interracial relationships.

 

Middle grade fiction
I don’t think I really knew what middle-grade fiction was until this year, when I read Brown Girl Dreaming. It’s defined as fiction that targets 8-13 year-olds (think Newberry Honor books), and I’ve come to enjoy this genre. I think one of the biggest ways middle and high-schoolers can gain perspective in the thick of hormone changes and peer pressure and the struggles of growing up, is through reading good books. I look forward to one day reading and discussing these books with my kids.

If your summer is busy and you don’t have much time for reading, may I suggest one of these titles? They are much shorter than the others on the list (with the exception of Echo), but just as delightful.

Feathers, Jacqueline Woodson

From the author of Brown Girl Dreaming, this is a coming-of-age novel about a girl named Frannie, who experiences the pangs of growing up and begins to see the people in her world with new eyes.

 

When You Reach Me, Rebecca Stead

This is a fabulous novel that is part-mystery, part-fantasy, with a heroine you will come to love.

 

Goodbye Stranger, Rebecca Stead

 

You’ve probably noticed that when I find an author I like, I suddenly want to read lots of their books. So I’m on a Rebecca Stead kick right now. Her books are fun, thought-provoking, and wise. This one pricks as you witness characters make poor decisions, but the subject matter is handled so well, and the lessons they learn are vital.

 

Echo, Pam Munoz Ryan

This novel won a 2016 Newberry Honor award, and wins the prize for coolest cover art of this list, in my opinion. It follows three children during World War 2, and has a fantastic ending.

 

A Whole Series to Bury Yourself In
You knew I was going here, right? My two favorite series of all time, perfect for burying yourself in all summer long. In fact, I’m still dwelling in Harry Potter, right alongside Judah, this summer, and having a blast.

The Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

The Mitford series, Jan Karon

 

Memoirs

Everything You Ever Wanted: A Memoir, Jillian Lauren

I loved this memoir of a couple who adopted a baby boy from Ethiopia. Jillian Lauren is hilarious, painfully honest, and insightful. She feels like someone I’d love to be friends with. (Heads up for language)

 

The Light of the World, Elizabeth Alexander

I’ll tell you at the very beginning: at first this feels like a book about death. The author is poet and Yale professor, Elizabeth Alexander. Her Eritrean husband — and father of her two sons — dies suddenly at the beginning of the book, and this beautiful story of their love and Alexander’s learning how to grieve well and cope in a world without him will break your heart, but also fill you with hope.

 

A Girl From Yamhill, Beverly Cleary

As you know, my big kids are huge Beverly Cleary fans. As I was browsing titles for them, I came across her two memoirs, and decided to check them out. I loved this book, and her second memoir, My Own Two Feet! Cleary is a great writer, and I enjoyed learning about her life growing up in Oregon during the Depression. In her childhood stories, I loved seeing glimpses of her inspiration for the Henry Huggins and Ramona series.

 

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, John Elder Robison

I nearly put this book down a couple of times because it was terribly sad and depressing — not so much because of Robison’s Asperger’s, but because of his childhood. However, I’m so glad I finished it. Robison is a survivor, and the way he eventually learned to live and thrive with his Asperger’s syndrome — in the face of many odds — is inspiring and hopeful. (Heads up for language)

 

All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir, Brennan Manning

This last memoir on the list is another sad one, but well worth reading. Catholic priest-turned-Christian-evangelist, Brennan Manning, battled alcohol addiction nearly his entire life. This book is his deeply personal, honest account of his childhood and life spotted with sin and pain, but also with an unshakeable belief in the love and forgiveness of God. David and I were both very moved by his story.