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Jun
25
BTT: A Book for All Seasons…
2009 at 10am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
It looks like there were two topics posted for BTT this week. I don’t have time to do this one, though it is very cool, so I’ll go with this topic: Now that summer is here (in the northern hemisphere, anyway), what is the most “Summery” book you can think of? The one that captures the essence of summer for you?
(I’m not asking for you to list your ideal “beach reading,” you understand, but the book that you can read at any time of year but that evokes “summer.”)
The title of this week’s post is a shout-out to the lovely ladies with whom I had a Twitterific conversation about the awesome cheesiness of the movie Grease 2 a few weeks ago. You know who you are. As movies go, Grease 2 feels very summery. It has bowling, motorcycles, shiny leggings, and a song about a cooo-ooo-ooo-oool rider. What more could you want?
Wait. What? Oh, right. I’m supposed to be talking about books. Sorry. I just can’t stop looking at the guy’s ginormous riding goggles. Wow. The 80s were great.
Anyway….
The first book that came to mind as evoking summer was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. What says “summer” more than rafting down a river on an unplanned, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure? The story is engrossing, the characters are well-drawn, and Twain creates such a strong sense of place that you can feel the southern heat beating down on you and hear the mosquitoes buzzing in your ears. I need a glass of sweet tea just thinking about it.
Another one that really does it for me is Barbara Kingsolver’s Prodigal Summer, and not just because it has the word “summer” in the title. It’s been at least five years since I read this book, and I still can’t smell honeysuckle without thinking about running off to a little cabin in the mountains.
For me, summer doesn’t necessarily mean lighter reading or summer-themed reading but more freedom and flexibility in my reading. I’ve accepted fewer books for review this summer so I can enjoy the delight of finishing a book and browsing my personal TBR shelves to choose whatever I feel like reading next, and it’s been pretty great so far.
I doubt I’ll ever have many summery books in my library, since I tend to prefer fiction that is darker and heavier and generally more evocative of a cold, rainy day, but it’s enough that I get to spend my summers reading things that make me happy….even if they’re kind of depressing.
What books say “summer” to you?
Related posts:
I can’t think of a book right off hand the says “summer”, but I do totally agree that the 80′s were cool!!
Lezlie
Too funny with the Grease 2 pic and scush! I love your answer, particularly Huck Finn He was my first character crush as a kid. I thought Huck just needed some love
I loved reading ‘The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn’
Great choice for a summer read. Happy BTT!
I loved Prodigal Summer – great choice!
Ohh Huck Finn is a great choice!
Hmm…all this ‘love’ for Huck Finn, Mark Twain’s attack on racisim and other social evils..very interesting…is this a ‘dark’ crowd or am I ‘reading’ you all wrong? Very curious—cause Huck Finn ain’t no kiddies’ book in my book, nope, not by a long shot.
I think the beauty of Huck Finn is that it’s a great story with a strong social message. I love the story—the summery atmosphere, the boyish adventure—and the attack on “racisim and other social evils,” and I think Twain evokes summer and a strong sense of place as he sends his message loud and clear. This is certainly not a children’s book, but it’s a great one for young adults and people looking for an entree into reading the classics.
LOL!! I love Grease 2. My husband thinks I’m nuts. Hmmm…I can’t think of a summer book but I”ve never read Huck Finn so maybe I should give that a go this summer. Thanks! (Oh and now I’ve got that song in my head…cooooool rider…)
Prodigal Summer is one of my favorite books, and absolutely says “summer” for me, too, especially after having spent several summers working in the southern Appalachians.
Oh yes, Huck Finn is a great answer! Loved that book.
Huck Finn always reminds me of summer, too. My first encounter with it was during one summer when I was really little and my mother read it to me, a chapter at a time, everyday at nap time. Not a good choice because instead of putting me to sleep, I always wanted to hear just one more chapter!
Oh, I loved Prodigal Summer! Great summer read.
Huck Finn also got the great setting too!
I found myself perusing this chick lit type of summer romance novel. Ha! Never says never! It’s called Scenic Route.
For me summer is usually the time when I read a lot of mysteries. I’ve got Rebecca, The Moonstone and few others lined up. It’s also the season for arm chair travel books.
**sings**
I’ll be your girl for all seasons, all through the yeeee-eear
Seriously, that movie never gets old. LOL
Personally I’ve not subscribed to the whole “beach read” thing. If I like a book (heavy plot or not) I’ll read it anytime. So for me the feeling of summer as a thematic element clicks more in my mind than the whole beach read = easier/light notion. Having said all that I agree that nothing feels more summerish than being on the water so Huck Finn is a great book to pull into your list.
I’m the same way, Michelle. If a book is good, I’ll read it anywhere. Read Shadow of the Wind on beach during honeymoon, Handmaid’s Tale during family vacation last year, etc. For me, summer reading is about freedom and flexibility rather than a change in content.
I LOVE Grease 2, that was the first of the Grease movies that I saw. That is truly summer and spending time with my bestfriends.
I remembered we pretended to be the girls and boys from Grease when we played in the schoolyard. I even had some notebooks where the name on the book was Paulette instead of my real name LOL.
Summer books I have to say Come Together and Come Again both books by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Reese. Also Nancy Drew reminds me of summer.
That night your speaking of was great. Which by the way after our twitter conversation I ended up having to watch it.
I saw it on our OnDemand listing this morning and have almost decided to watch it….so hard to pass up.
[...] BTT: A Book for All Seasons… [...]