Once upon a time, I read fifty books in a summer. I will begin this post by assuring you that this feat will not be replicated this year. Not only am I older and thus reading larger, more intense books (or so one would suppose), but I’m going to be pretty busy in July and August (a post on that later). I still want to read as much as I possibly can, and hopefully this list will help keep me focused on that goal.
Usually, I pick up a beefy non-fiction tome to wade through in the summer. Last year it was The Making of the Atomic Bomb (*fond memories overload*) and the year before that, David McCullough’s 1776. However, I just finished such a book—Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton—so I feel like I need a break. Plus, like I said, I’ll be pretty busy and probably won’t have the time necessary for a book like that. I still hope to digest some deep, good quality stuff, though.
One last thing: money. As I was compiling this list, I realized that a lot of these books are ones I’ll have to buy (*frowns at the library*). That’s a bit of a problem since I want to save for traveling this summer. I know, I know, I should just suck it up and buy the book but I really hate spending money, guys. Especially when I feel like I should be saving it. All that to say, I may end up not reading a lot of these if I can’t get my hands on the book, but I’m listing them just in case.
Okay, enough chitchat. Here’s the list.
Death by Living // N. D. Wilson A friend recommended this, and it sounds like just the book for me—paradoxical, poetic. It’s about living in the now, making the most of your life, and writing your story. This is one I’m going to have to buy if I can’t find it anywhere else.
The Book That Made Your World // Vishal Mangalwadi Rachel mentioned this one on her blog, and it immediately caught my attention. A book exploring how the Bible impacted Western civilization (basically created it)? Yes, please.
Lavinia // Ursula K. Le Guin Sara Letourneau gave me a list of some UKLG books to look into, and this was one of them. It’s a retelling of Virgil’s Aeneid from the perspective of the Latin princess whom Aeneas marries. I love retellings of mythology, and this sounds absolutely fascinating.
A Branch of Silver, A Branch of Gold // Anne Elisabeth Stengl I feel rather ashamed that I haven’t gotten this book yet, considering that it’s by one of my favorite authors and a retelling of my favorite fairy tale ever. This is going to be a real treat.
Mysterious Island // Jules Verne Because I’ve enjoyed the majority of Verne that I’ve read (yay for 80 Days and 20,000 Leagues), and I’ve heard Captain Nemo (more yay) makes an appearance in it.
The Time Machine // H. G. Wells A book I’m currently reading compares Wells versus Verne, so I’m interested to read both of them this summer and see their differences for myself. Plus, I think it’s high time I read some Wells, and this books sound like a great introduction to him.
Ender’s Game // Orson Scott Card This’ll be a reread, and while I often chafe at the thought of spending precious reading time on a book I’ve already gone through, sometimes you just gotta do it. I realized the other day that I miss Ender’s Game. I need it back in my life.
Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist // Karen Swallow Prior Given the title, I probably don’t need to say why I’m reading this. I can’t wait to delve into this amazing woman’s life, and I hope to be inspired, challenged, and encouraged.
The Screwtape Letters // C. S. Lewis Another reread. This book is one that I feel I should read at least yearly because I so need to hear everything in it.
Dear Mr. Knightley // Katherine Reay A girl in foster care who turns to books for comfort, a mysterious benefactor, characters with secrets, pain and healing—yeah, let’s do this thing. Plus, my library has it. *much rejoicing*
Storming // K. M. Weiland I cannot tell you how many glowing reviews I’ve seen of this book, and it sounds quite fascinating.
Silas Marner // George Eliot A few months ago, I read Eliot’s Middlemarch for school and fell in love with it. I can’t wait to read more of her stuff, and from what I know about this book (I’ve already listened to an audio drama of it), I’m going to enjoy it immensely.
Well, there we are! Phew. Will I read all of these? HA. In your dreams. And of course I’ll read a bunch of other books not on the list. Still, I hope to read a lot of these, because they’re all so exciting, and I think it’s a good mix of genres. Keep your eyes peeled for reviews and such.
A Glimpse of Starlight 
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