The Beginning of Summer Reading Season!

By on May 27, 2012 in Week In Review

I hope everyone is enjoying the long holiday weekend!  First off, Happy Memorial Day to all the Veterans out there, and a big thanks to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today!

I feel that Memorial Day weekend, with it being the unofficial beginning of Summer, is, for me, the beginning of my Summer reading season!  Although, unlike last Summer, where I was able to get so much reading done, I think this Summer is going to be slightly different.  The baby is due in less than four weeks, and I think with his/her arrival, I won’t be getting nearly as much reading accomplished as I have previously.

With that being the case, I’m not going to set any lofty goals and/or lists of books that I’d like to accomplish this summer.  If I can get to one or two books this summer, I’ll be perfectly happy with that amount of reading.  The one read that I would like to accomplish this summer is Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind.  If I can get that read, I’ll consider this Summer a successful one for reading!

For this last week of May, I completed my reading of Bleak House and I began and finished George R.R. Martin’s second book in his Song of Fire and Ice series, A Clash of Kings.  I enjoyed A Clash of Kings, but not nearly as much as the first book, Game of Thrones.  I should have a post up on A Clash of Kings in the next day or so.

This week, I’m looking at reading Phil Hellmuth, Jr.’s Play Poker Like the Pros.  I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for a number of years and haven’t touched it, so I’ll be reading that as part of my effort to read some unread books on my bookshelf.

How about you?  Do you enjoy establishing a nice Summer reading list?  What are you reading this long weekend?

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  • http://jillianreadsbooks2.wordpress.com/ Jillian

    YAY Gone With the Wind!!!!!! Enjoy the weekend. :-)

    • Beltwayliterature

      I’m actually looking forward to reading it! I’m hoping to pick up a copy at the library toward the end of the week. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend!

  • susan

    Happy Memorial Day Wknd & summer reading blast-off.   Although Gone With the Wind has many pages — you’ll find it a fast read & you’ll blow thru it in no time.  It’s good & fun read for summer.  Enjoy spending time at Tara … 

    • Beltwayliterature

      I’ve heard that it can be a fast read. The goal is to at least get through a 2-3 more books before the baby comes in about 4 weeks, so we’ll see!

  • Unfinishedperson

    I’d like to say that I prepare for summer, but not really…I’ll probably just pick up whatever I can off my unread shelf. Among the books I have yet to read is A Clash of Kings, so I’ll be interested to see your review of it.

    • Beltwayliterature

      The only downside about A Clash of Kings is there are sections of it that move quite slowly, as Martin is building things up. I should have a post up about it in a few days.

  • Jinjer

    I must say I don’t GET the whole “summer reading” thing. To me a book is a book and my reading isn’t seasonal.  Can someone explain how it’s different? Thanks!

    • Beltwayliterature

      For me it goes back to when I was growing up with summer breaks from school. There were some summers where I’d have books that I’d have to read. Some summers I go ahead and establish a list, as a result, and others where I don’t. For me, since most TV shows are in reruns, and hockey season is over, I have less distractions. So for me, it’s a bit different. Although, it’s been a few years since I’ve established a summer reading list.

  • http://www.everybookandcranny.wordpress.com/ Everybookandcranny Blog

    A while back I said I wasn’t going to make anymore lists, but low and behold I made another one.  GWTW is on my summer reading list as well – though I”m pretty sure I set it as a goal for last summer too – maybe this year will be the year?

    I also have the first two Song of Ice and Fire books on there as well, though I’ll be perfectly happy if I can make it through the first one.  

    Congrats on the coming new addition to your family!

    • Beltwayliterature

      Thanks so much! My wife and I are looking forward to the baby’s arrival! I don’t think you’ll be diasppointed with Game of Thrones, it’s probably one of the best non-classic book I’ve read in years. The story is really phenomenal. I just finished the second book, and it was a bit slower, but pretty good in its own right as well. I hope you’ll enjoy them both!

  • Kate Gardner

    I don’t really plan very far ahead with my reading, but I do tend toward lighter reads for summer. Good luck with the new baby!

    • Beltwayliterature

      It’s been quite nice this year with me not planning my reading in advance.  I did that last year, and while I enjoyed my reading last year, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as in previous years.  Thanks!  We’re only about 3 weeks out!

  • http://annotatedreading.blogspot.in/ christina

    I watch (and adore) Game of Thrones…but am intimidated when it comes to reading the books.  I’ve heard it’s impossible to keep up with the character names!!!  Ahhhh, like Russian lit? ;)

    • Beltwayliterature

      At the beginning it was a bit difficult to keep up with the character names, but after a bit of time, I finally managed to get them all straight!  Yeah, it can certainly be a bit like Russian lit!

      If you decide to read them, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  If you like the HBO series, I think you’ll like the books even more!