Summer Reading: A Joy or a Drag?

Summer is the perfect time to pick up a book and get lost in it. There's the luxury of time, the beach, or a comfy porch chair to whisk you away into a fantasy land or let you get up close and personal with a memorable character.

Here's my first question: if you read a book from the school's summer reading list, did you end up pleased with the selection and the experience? If not, why?

Second question: if you read books of your choice, which one(s) resonated with you and why? Perhaps there is a book or two you would suggest for next summer's reading list?

Summer Reading -- A Time to Connect

Summer offers time to grab a book and head for the hammock or the beach. What were some of the memorable books you read this summer?

For me, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini spoke volumes. After reading his novel about Afghanistan, The Kite Runner, I became intrigued about the nature of the country before and after the Taliban and September 11. In his second novel, the setting is Afghanistan and the focus this time is the brutal world of women there under the unforgiving male-dominated world of religious extremists. Through Hosseini's writing, I can gain a better perspective on Afghanis and the impact of religion in their lives as well as the effect and confusion of the Western world on their culture. These books do what is essential: inspire empathy and break down stereotypes.

If you also read this book, add some comments. If you've read another book that illuminates another culture, let us know about it.