Summer Reading

Ahhhh.... There is nothing quite so relaxing as Summer reading!

 As I mentioned in my last post, I read "The Scarlet Pimpernel," which I devoured in three days.  An exciting adventure!

Next was "Cyrano de Bergerac," which I read just as quickly!  I also got to chuckle out loud a couple of times!

I went on to read "The Phantom of the Opera."  Lots of mystery and intrigue in this one!  Thoroughly enjoyed this.  It ended in a very surprising way which was bittersweet (a little more sweet than bitter)!  Good story!

Now, if I haven't grown too bold, I've begun "The Count of Monte Cristo."  This one has over 3,000 pages!  So no, this isn't the abridged version!!!  But I expect it will hold my attention quite effectively!

As you can tell, I'm on a classics kick.  Just last Fall I read "Pride and Prejudice," "Dracula," and "Journey to the Center of the Earth."  All of which were wonderful to read!  I didn't regret my self inflicted plunge into the classics!

Back in high school, I didn't read hardly any classics, they just weren't required.  But I did have an introduction to some of them by way of Edgar Allen Poe, and titles such as "A Separate Peace," "The Pearl," "The Grapes of Wrath," etc.  Why oh why do they feel it necessary to introduce teens to nothing but such depressing reads?  None of them stuck with me except the depth of depression they marked me with!  Just after high school, a good friend of the family did me a great service by suggesting I read something else by Steinbeck, called "Cannery Row."  I took his suggestion, and I am glad I did because for the first time I enjoyed reading, and I laughed out loud!  I loved it!  The characters were far from perfect, but I got to see them come to life with humorous realism.

I believe now that I am older more mature, I'm able to appreciate more worldly titles.  I was in such a fog in high school.  Now, I see with more clarity.

However, this busy mother/wife/homesteader/homeschooler, who needs these much needed vacations in the form of books, will not be going to Edgar Allen Poe, or any other titles that inspire depression or misery!!!  I need triumphs!  Justice!  Heroism!  The human spirit triumphing over adversity is a perennial joy to me.  I can always put such inspiration to use in my own life!

How about you?  What titles have inspired you?  Which ones stuck with you?  Why?

I'd love to hear all about it!

Maybe you'll pass a little more inspiration my way!

Happy Summer to you dear reader!