Stephenie’s Comments (group member since May 17, 2014)

Stephenie’s comments from the Mrs. Eriksson's Summer Reading Challenge 2015 group.

Maria, ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I don't listen well to fiction audiobooks, but I LOVE to listen to non-fiction audiobooks, especially when the writer is the reader. I highly recommend listening to A.J. Jacobs read any of his books. He's hysterical. I also highly recommend the audio of Tina Fey reading Bossypants.

While I stripped wallpaper from the bathroom walls, removed trim, patched holes, and pulled up the vinyl flooring, I listened to Amy Poehler read Yes Please! I LOVED IT! Poehler is witty and wise and poignant and funny. Her honesty makes her book a great read, especailly when you listen to her tell her story.

I just finished Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. There is a lot of controversy and debate surrounding this book. I loved it! I almost gave it 5 stars because I had such a powerful personal response to the book, but I ended up deciding to give it a conservative 4 stars. To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely superior to this book, and Go Set a Watchman would not make much sense without TKAMB. If you decide to read it, do so with an open mind. It's a book that echoes what I have found to be true ... as much as I want to be able to label people, human beings are extremely complicated and complex. I look forward to conversations about this book.

I have finally read A Wrinkle in Time! I picked it up many times when I was in elementary school, but I wasn't ready for it. I read it to Seb, and while I don't think he grasped themes, he enjoyed the story. I loved it! The writing is beautiful and complex ... something I did not expect.

I am really behind ... I realized I haven't yet posted about Aristotle and Dant e Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I had really high expectations for this after a few English teacher friends said it was one of their favorites this year. It was really good, but I was not in love with it. It does feature voices I have not heard much in literature. I don't want to give spoilers, but it is a really beautiful story of a friendship between two boys, one whose family harbors secrets that cause his to not be able to trust fully.

I also just finished The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. It is getting a lot of press right now, and it was a fun enough read. If you like a thriller, it's a quick page-turner in the vein of Gone Girl, but I didn't think the writing was that great. It will probably make a good movie! :)

I'm behind on posting my books, and I don't think I am going to make my aggressive goal! But I have read! A lot of people have raved about I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. I liked it, but I wasn't in love. I should have been ... it's quirky and the main character is the kind of character I should love. But it fell a little flat for me. I loved the premise, and while the "message" was an uplifting one, it was a really dark book for a summer read. Perhaps that's why I just wanted to get it over. I need sunshine!

DaShannon wrote: "For lovers of Where'd You Go Bernadette and Gone Girl, this is a fun, funny, suspenseful read perfect for summer! The book description on the fly leaf doesn't do..."

I also loved Big Little Lies! I laughed out loud quite a bit. The characters are rich and real. I read Reece Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman may be in the movie! This was such a fun summer read!

I just finished Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (He also wrote Silver Linings Playbook). I loved this book. I held my breath a lot because I was anxious and fearful for the main character. The voice is authentic and powerful. I recommend the book with the warning that it tackles sensitive subject matter ... A teenager planning a murder-suicide. A great book that challenges the reader to think.

Anna, I'm looking forward to your review of Half the Sky. I have a friend who uses it with her class. I just finished Althea & Oliver. Emylee Patton gave it a great review. I really liked it. It's a bit like Eleanor and Park but grittier.

Emylee, I have that in my stack! I may just read it next. I just finished Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. It was really good!

Right now, I'm reading and loving Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I will post a review when I finish.

I will read at least 25 books this summer. That will be a pace of approximately 2 book per week.
I will read at least three non-fiction books this summer (Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is already in my stack, and I have Unbroken by Hillenbrand as a “must read.”)
I will read at least three fantasy books this summer (The 5th Harry Potter is in my stack, and I am going to finally read A Wrinkle in Time. I picked it up several times in elementary, and never finished. Going to finish it this summer. I am going to try American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I really loved The Ocean at the End of the Lane, so maybe he is a good entrance into fantasy for me.)
Harry Potter and American Gods will also allow me to meet my goal of reading longer books to improve my stamina.

Post about the first book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

Post about the second book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

Post about the third book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

Post about the third book you read this summer. This is a review, not a summary. Tell why you liked it/didn't like it and whether you would recommend it.

Your minimum goal is to read 3 books. As you finish, post the book you read and a brief reflection. This is not a summary. Just post whether you liked it, why you liked it, and why someone else might enjoy it.

Tanner wrote: "My summer reading goal consists of re reading all of the Game of Thrones books over again and reading through the Lord Of The Rings series. This should total about then thousand pages.


Ps. http..."

That video is hysterical!

Post your summer goals