New Providence Memorial Library's Online Reading Group discussion

This is my favorite part of the year. Everybody is someplace else and I am here. The roads are empty, you can walk right up to the counter and be served, no reservation needed in restaurants and people just seem to be more relaxed.

What does this have to do with reading? Well, some of us are all in the mood for different kinds of books now than perhaps when skies are darker and we carry around the weight of coats, hats and boots.

I do like to dip into fiction in these months and usually that means historical rather than literary fiction for me. I am now in the midst of the 2nd book in the Neopolitan Series by Elena Ferrante and loving it. It is not mindless fiction but is in fact a story of 2 women whose continuing relationship weathers the stresses of maturity, romance, society and custom, family and circumstance. Normally, I like to read non-fiction tomes, often biography or science or history-related.

What about you all? Do you read different things during the summer months, do you take breaks at all or are your breaks non-weather related?

i usually stick to my routine in the summer, a mix of non-fiction and (mostly historical) fiction. BUT, when i go on vacation and plan to read while relaxing, i definitely bring along lighter themed books.

i hope everyone's having a great summer !

I usually take a break from nonfiction and read lighter stuff over the summer, that said, I just read How to Catch a Russian Spy, which I call light nonfiction. Tomorrow I think I'll dig into the Daniel Silva book that's been on my night table for 6 months. Another book that is in my future is Hamilton, the music from the play is great!

My reading habits don't change during the seasons. Even my vacation reads don't change. It's whatever is the current discussion book or a book that I've reserved from library or have on my shelf. I don't read 'lighter' material depending on season. I like to read or listen to a YA after a 'heavier' book or ... just when the mood hits.

my reserve on the new J. K. Rowling book came in and I devoured it! "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is (what I'd call) a novel in play format. I cannot see it as a play even if it is currently on the London stage and talking about bringing it to Broadway. A movie, yes, but there are just too many scene changed to be a play. Obviously, since it is on the stage already, they must have figured out a way to change scenery so often.
I read this book in two days, which is not usual for me. I enjoyed going back into the Harry Potter world, even if HP is a father now and it's his son having the adventure. (no more on this - no spoilers)
On a side note...there is still a sign "Platform 9 3/4" and half a luggage cart 'going through the wall' in Kings Cross Station. It was there when I visited it back in 2006 and my niece send me a picture via FB that it's still there now.
It was fun going back to Hogwarts and the world of Harry Potter and it almost makes me want to grab my HP books and go back and read them all again.

During the summer I read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed. I chose it because I previously read "The Last Englishman" and the setting for both is the Pacific Coast Trail. That's where the comparison ends; the setting. Very different reasons for the hiking adventure and Wild has more of an emotional aspect also. Thinking about watching the movie "Wild" at some point. Not rushing to see it.

I think we've had another thread about that. The movie was well done but the character is not sympathetic. I will put Englishman on my list, tho.

I am anxiously awaiting the return of the 3rd book in the Neopolitan Novels series of Elena Ferrante. And slowly finishing up the last 50 pages of Book 2. Ms. Ferrante is still holding my interest which is saying a lot considering my non-fiction mindset.

If anybody knows or hears of a movie/miniseries made out of these books, please let me know. I can see how that could work.