Ok, so I missed last week on account of screwy accounts. But this week I have a great Friday Five for you. The list title may not sound like anything special, but the books on the 5 this week are a good rollicking time. And even better—there’s something for everyone.
So what is the theme of the 5 this week, you ask? Like you don’t already know! Here they are (in no special order):
MY SUPER AWESOME SUMMER READING LIST PICKS
1) ~ Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts~
Ahhhh… there’s nothing in the world like the first time you fall in love — with a fictional character in a romance novel. Yes, these books were my first ever romance novels. Up until this point in my life, I thought all books were stories with lessons and symbolism of some kind. Then one summer, on a softball road trip to Ohio, I discovered I read through all of my books before the trip was over. That’s when it happened- my grandmother said “I’ve got some books, why don’t you try one of them?”
And I did. And I liked it. A lot.
Jewels of the Sun and Tears of the Moon are the first two books of a trilogy and though I didn’t much care for the third of the series, these two books have been my favorite, tried and true romantic stories for as long as I can remember.
In a small town in Ireland (which I and my best friend will one day visit), an uptight, anxious and recently divorced young woman takes refuge from the confining walls of her life and her self-disappointment. Enter handsome Irish rogue with an awesome name? I think yes (Aiden). And his sexy musician brother who will be the focal point of the next book when he get courted by the tomboy next door? You bet!!! And don’t forget a healthy dose of Celtic myth and faerie magic. It’s the element that brings everything together.
Ok so if that description didn’t make any sense to you whatsoever I am really sorry—I’ve just read these books so many times it might just be impossible to make sense of them to anyone else any more. But trust me. Great (and more importantly, plausible) plots, great character chemistry and laughs mixed in with family and community together make two books that will keep you company on the beach or on the train and that you will read over and over again.
2) ~ The Forever King by Molly Cochran and Walter Murphy~
Five words for you: Best. School. Assigned. Reading. Ever.
Yes everyone has their favorite classics, the ones in lit class you actually enjoyed reading and can feel all proud of yourself for liking and telling people you like *cough, cough* To Kill a Mockingbird **cough, cough* because it makes you look/feel/sound smart. But really, was there ever anything assigned in school that before you started reading it you thought to yourself “I would totally have picked that up at the bookstore anyway. I’m wicked excited to read this?” One glorious summer, I did get one of those books.
Colloquial expressions aside nothing made my summer like this book (wow- when I put it that way it kind of sounds pathetic… well just ignore that).
Today many schools are trying to make summer reading something enjoyable, to keep teens and tweens engaged in something non-brain melting over the summer months. In many school systems there are options and genres from which to pick your favorite, albeit pre-approved, reading material. In my day this was not so. It was “Here you go sucker, toil away reading these depressing and/or suck-tastic books that we will never discuss in class but that you will have to do a project on and your parents will quiz you on the day before school starts. Have a good summer and keep reading!” Then they made us run uphill barefoot to school. Both ways.
The point is, this book was like a shining beacon of reading taste compatibility. It’s King Arthur, but contemporary. Magical and mystical but not corny. A fresh theory about the origins of the Holy Grail (doing what Dracula 2000 did for the vampire myth- just with less cheesy dialogue). And it had Excalibur. Oh gooood times.
That year I read my other 3 books before July was even half over (and when you still get out of school in June, that’s no mean feat) so that I could have as much of the summer to revel in the excitement of reading this one book (did I mention yet- I’m kind of a loser? Just a smidge). And it was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself from beginning to end. And my paper on it wasn’t half bad… I think.
There are sequels but I’ve never read them. I bought both of them, but I’ve just never gotten into that same state of anticipation. Maybe someday though.
3) ~ The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver~
Ok so there isn’t really a fun personal anecdote for this one (Awww, shucks!). A friend of mine lent it to me one year, insisting that if I wasn’t going to try Anthem, Atlas Shrugged, or anything by Chuck Palahniuk, I must get through The Poisonwood Bible.
The esteemed Rev. Price relocates his wife and four daughters from their comfortable life in 1950’s Georgia to a mission in the Belgian Congo. The book is mainly narrated by the four girls and their mother narrates the introduction to each major section. The book follows their lives in Africa as they deal with each other, their father/husband and the religion that brought them out there.
I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t this a bit heavy reading for a summer read? Well, no its not. It’s actually perfect for summer because while it does confront some very heavy issues, the story flows from one piece to another seamlessly- so it barely takes any effort to read. And yet you come away, not just with having read something new, but with having really taken on a new perspective.
4) ~ Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton~
And now, representing the awesome book/awesome movie category for your summer thrills: Eaters of the Dead.
Creepy title, awesome story, (based on Beowulf but easier to read) Antonio Banderas movie. If that doesn’t say spectacular summer reading, I just do not know what does.
Get it. Read it. Watch the movie with your friends (again). Summer = Complete.
And the final installation of the Friday 5:
5) ~ The Codex Alera by Jim Butcher~
What would summer reading be without an aWEsoMe fantasy series? Well … it would still be summer because the changing of the seasons does not bend to my will, but it would be a far less satisfying and entertaining summer, trust me. My boyfriend picked the first one up because of the crazy cool cover design and loved them so much he bought the most recent one in hardcover (spoiling his nice matching set of smaller paperbacks- the mass market versions).
Then he made me read them. Now, I know you are shocked- I liked them so much I’m reading them again (I tend to do that a lot).
The Codex Alera is an elemental-based fantasy series. Alera is the other world in which it is set. In this world everyone has something called ‘furies’ which are personified elements that bond with humans. Everyone is bonded with at least one, sometimes multiple, if he or she is a powerful furycrafter. Life and civilization are based around the basic functions of these furies.
And then there is Tavi of Calderon, who is almost a grown man (sort of) but has no furies at all.
When crisis strikes Calderon, the fate of Alera falls to this kid who has learned to rely on nothing but himself.
Maybe a tad cliché sounding on the surface (young resourceful kid relies on his wits to save the world, etc.) but this series is anything but. With a fresh voice and a truly fun cast of characters to follow, (and even an excellent bro-mance in later books) and twists and turns that will keep you up through the night, this series is for fantasy fans everywhere.
Just an upfront- there are a total of 5 books in this series that are currently published and the sixth and final one is due out in December of this year (but 5 books should keep you occupied for a good long while, right?). The titles give away some of the story so do yourself a favor and start with Furies of Calderon and don’t get ahead of yourself. Take it one book at a time 
What’s Your Five?
Come up with your own summer reading books and share them in comments below- or email me and I will do a post featuring your book!
Posted in General
By Curtis Sittenfield
