summer reading

My summer manifesto reading assignment was completed with a little incentive from my local library's summer reading program. I don't have the budget to buy many books, so I take full advantage of the borrowing privileges at the library. Mine even allows us to check out eBooks. It's my preferred method of checkout when I decide to start a new book... at midnight.

The summer isn't technically over, but here's a quick recap of what I read:

1. The Namesake - I loved this book from the very beginning. Jhumpa's writing allows entire years to pass on single pages with so much ease. As much as I was a fan of the book, I wasn't a fan of the movie. Skip the cinema & pick up the read on this one instead.

2. Someday, Someday, Maybe - As a devoted Lauren Graham fan since the Gilmore days, I had to pick up her debut book. If you're a fan of Meg Cabot or Ann Brashares- I think you'll enjoy this one too.

3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - I've tried to read this one a couple of times before, but the third time was the charm. It read like a science fiction novel minus the fiction part and added a new dimension to my view of the medical community and its practices.

4. My Name is Memory - I was a fan of the traveling pants series from Ann Brashares, so this was an unexpected read from her. I'd classify it as science fiction chick lit. It was a great read but had a horrible ending. Here's hoping Ann's publisher allows a sequel.

5. Interpreter of Maladies - In this one, Jhumpa combined several short, rather simple stories. It was like a peek into some very private but everyday moments. Each story was a quick read so I kept this one in my purse and pulled it out when I had time to spare.

6. The Last Summer (of You & Me) - I was looking for a great beach read, despite the lack of a beach, and this was it. The story itself was set on the beach, so even though I couldn't be there, I could imagine it.

Yesterday, I hit up my library's annual book sale. A full box of books for only $3. Can't beat that. My nephew filled up over half the box, but I managed to come out with at least five good reads.

Happy reading!