Recommended Reading - Spring, 2004.
April May June
June
Recommended Reading for June 25, 2004: Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. I can't believe some people haven't read this book. What kind of sick sad childhood did you people have?
Recommended Reading for June 18, 2004: Ulysses, by James Joyce. I admit that I actually haven't read this yet, but it is high on my summer reading list. But since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday, which celebrates the novel, I thought I'd put it up as the recommendation anyway. If you haven't read any Joyce before, however you might want to start slower. With his awesome collection of short stories, Dubliners, for example.
Recommended Reading for June 11, 2004: Summerland, by Michael Chabon. I picked this up at the library because it seemed like everywhere I turned around I was seeing some rave review for it, or it was popping up on a bestseller list. So I figured, I'd just see about that. I had planned to review it for you, once I finished. But then I discovered that this particular book defies definition and description. I think it was right about the time the sasquatch showed up that I knew I was in trouble. Anyway, just read it so that someone will understand what I'm talking about. It's actually interesting, especially if you're interested in American Folklore.
May
Recommended Reading for May 28, 2004:The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Written by Kate DiCamillo with illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. This is the 2004 Newberry Award winner. Cute, interesting. It tries too hard in some places, but for the most part is an excellent read.
Recommended Reading for May 17, 2004: Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen. This particular book broke out of the style most Austen fans were accustomed to when the classic author decided to lampoon the popular Gothic novels of the time. Good. Really different.
Recommended Reading for May 07, 2004: Tick Tock, by Dean Koontz. I don't know why I love this book but I do. It cracks me up. I first read it on an airplane and frightened my fellow passengers by laughing my butt off. Seriously, I've never even read anything else by this man.
April
Recommended Reading for April 30, 2004: Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. Just the previews for the movie have instilled terror into my soul. Read the book instead.
Recommended Reading for April 23, 2004: Mandy, by Julie Andrews Edwards. I'm on a quest to find a copy of this that is identical to the one I had as a kid. This is an excellent, sweet book, that has the same feeling as the Secret Garden. Well worth reading.
Recommended Reading for April 16, 2004:  Types of Shape, by John Hollander. This is a weird little book. Each poem takes on the shape of it's subject, including the little black cat pictured on the cover. It's fun and well-written and challenging, because depending how your eyes follow the shape, the meaning can change. If you pick up a copy of this, make sure you get the revised addition, which has 25 extra poems.
Recommended Reading for April 9, 2004: Horton Hatches the Egg, by Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss will never ever be anything less than enjoyable. This is one of my favorite Seuss stories.
Recommended Reading for April 2, 2004: Poets and Writers Magazine. Aimed directly for writers of poetry and prose, this is a great resource. Enjoyable for readers as well as writers.
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