Summer Reading!

I love lists like New Year's Resolutions, party menus, and, of course, summer reading lists!  Summer reading lists feel a bit like New Year's Resolutions to me.  They're both a blank slate, a fresh start, and loads of possibilities!  I set some lofty goals for myself in each and though I don't like to admit it, I don't always fulfill either list but, hey, the way I look at it, there's always next year/summer!
I've tried to balance the list with some Young Adult, middle readers, literary fiction, and non fiction (did I mention I set lofty goals?).  So in no particular order, here's my 2012 summer reading list!

The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
Middlemarch by George Elliot
Why We Broke Up by
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Game of Thrones by George R. R Martin.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Emerald Atlas by
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

What are you reading?

Great Reads for Middle Readers

A friend of mine was baffled as to what reading suggestions she could give her 10 year-old daughter who is an excellent and avid reader. Sometimes with uber popular movies out like The Hunger Games or Twilight, it's hard for young readers to think of any other books. Yet I would argue that not only are these books much too mature for young readers, they also may spoil their taste for the wonderful reads that are on their level and interest. So without further ado, here are my recommendations for great reads on a younger but still challenging level. And remember, just because these books are written for kids doesn't mean they aren't great reads for everyone else!
Note: these are in no particular order, just as they came to mind.

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Holes by Louis Sachar
Seed Folks by Paul Fleishmann
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
Tuck Everlasting by Sharon Creech (unlike the movie, this book is not a romance)
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Rascal by Sterling North
The Anne of Avonlea books (of course!)
The Harry Potter series (save the last couple for middle school--though that may be hard)

I've only listed the books that I've actually read. There are hundreds more that are just as wonderful, I've just not read them, yet! I look forward to making a new list soon!

Happy reading!