Summer Reading

I've never been a HUGE reader. When I was younger, it was a chore, something I had to do for school. I never read for pleasure. When I started flying (WAY back in the dark ages when there was still smoking on planes, there were no cell phones or electronic games and security was lax), I started reading. Mainly, I started reading to pass the time while I commuted. I used to commute from New York to San Francisco, so I had A LOT of time to read. When I stopped my glamorous career as a flight attendant to become a uber fabulous mom, I stopped reading. Mostly because flipping through a magazine was easier. When you get interrupted every five seconds, it's a lot easier to put down a People magazine because you know it doesn't matter.

I want to be a reader. I want to get lost in books. I want to read the classics. I want my boys to see me reading so that they too will WANT to read. So when I was asked if I would like to join a book club, I immediately said YES! I figure if I was a part of a book club, it would...

1. Force me to read more

2. Make me read books I typically wouldn't

3. Be able to discuss and critique books

Here are a few of the titles I've read this summer...

Cutting for Stone ~ This is a story of twin brothers, born from a secret union, coming of age in prerevolution Ethiopia. There is lots of cultural history, facts and information in this book, which makes it very interesting. However, this is quite an expansive novel, close to 700 pages, so it took me quite awhile to finish. I thought it was a good story, but did I love it? No.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan ~ This is a story set in nineteenth century China, when wives and daughters were subjected to foot binding and lived in almost complete seclusion. I was not very excited about this book choice because I've never been a fan of Asian culture. However, the story grabbed me right away and I enjoyed it very much. A movie has since come out and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

The White Darkness ~ A young adult novel that follows a teenage girl, her eccentric Uncle and her imaginary friend in an expedition to Antarctica. When I found out that we were going to read a young adult book, I didn't know what to think. But, I figured, I had read all the Harry Potter books and the Twilight series, so who was I to judge. Super easy read, full of beautiful imagery, but not something I would recommend.

And this leads me to our next book...
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies ~ A parody novel combining Jane Austens classic novel, with elements of modern zombie fiction. I've never read the original Pride and Prejudice. I've seen every movie made, but never read the classic tale. I've heard the language is tough to get through, understandable considering the book was written in 1813. This book is much of the same, but the element of zombies attacking an 18th century England is cray-zee!! It has been silly, but super fun to read. Perfect for Halloween, the reason it was chosen!! I'll keep you posted on my final thoughts!
What are you reading right now? What books can you suggest that I can offer up to my new book clubbers?