Go - read - set a watchman

This was one of my anticipated reads of the summer. I haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird since middle school.  I was never a big fan of Atticus to many people's dismay.  Perhaps this book was written for people like me.

Scout - who now goes by her real name, Jean Louise - is in her 20s, and has come home for a visit.  Although not a lot has changed, Jean Louise finds that she has changed, or maybe those around her have changed.  It's not a happy go lucky every one is perfect story; it exposes who people really are and how perspective can be as innocent as a childhood.

I loved every moment of this book; I actually wasn't quite ready for it to end.

Play Safe, then Play Hard

This is a new series that I received from the Microsoft grant.  I am informed that there is a third in the series; I will add it to my read list.  

The synopsis on the back of these books summarizes it best:

Play Safe - "I always thought that when I fell in love it would be easy, like catching the perfect pitch.  The right girl would slide into my life as seamlessly as a ball into my glove.  That's what I wanted.  A typical boy meets girl, girl falls for jock story."

Play Hard - "I work hard. I study hard. I play hard."

There is nothing special about these books, but they were fun, easy reads.  They made the plane ride go by quickly, and I enjoyed each one of them.  If you like the Catching Jordan series, these are great books to read.

The beginning of everything

This was one of my favorite reads this summer.  From its references to literature to its compassion and hope for people, this book has a little bit of everything for every one.  

Mary Oliver said it best:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

With your one wild and precious life?

Sometimes life has a way of teaching us lessons in funny ways - like car accidents or relationship problems.  Sometimes life has a way of sending us people to help us along the way - the unexpected classmate.  Sometimes life tells us that we need to move on from our current friends in order to really become our true selves.   Take all of these life lessons and throw in a few teenagers, a few parties, a few conversations, and even a few road bumps.  It's a must read!