Summer Reading?

Yes, welcome dreadnought!

Here the weather has been unsummerlike. Really chilly nights and mornings. Some sun during the day. If I sit in the sun wearing several layers of wool and flannel, it's quite comfortable. Which suited the mood of the book I just finished reading yesterday: "Sometimes A Great Notion" by Ken Kesey. All about cold and damp. Now for something more seasonal...

I wish some superperson -- cape and all -- would swoosh in here and cancel most of my subscriptions. When was the last time I sat down and read a book through? 19... uh...? I read reviews, essays about books, pieces of books, but the whole dang thing? a book with a plot? a sweet and easy read? sitting in a semi-coma drinking iced tea and telling the dogs to go find someone else to stare at? Which century was that?

And welcome Dreadnought! Gotta cape?

Tartarin--I sympathize re subscriptions and their demands. I try to have some sort of balance, but it's hard. I've cut down on them--it was tough, but it had to be done...

I've always subscribed to one or two things, but lately... Perhaps it coincided with "killing" the TV -- best thing I ever did, but possibly my cell structure demands some reminder of current issues.

Thanks to you all for your warm welcome.
Presently my time for reading, and browsing this site, is very limited but things should improve in a few weeks by which time I shall try to submit the odd few interesting posts and 'earn my keep' on the forum.
Back to the subject of this thread; a book titled STARDUST by John Gribben has been recommended to me and at first glance it appears to be fascinating. It is an eloquently written account of the relationship between the universe and earth. I'll let you know what I think about it when I've read it.

Cheers all,

Jim

I ordered my JFK book and hopefully it'll arrive at my home in time for Memorial Day reading.

I'm now between books, but with the drizzle we're enjoying this afternoon (seasonal weather here all year 'round) I think it's time I break out Paul Theroux's "Dark Star Safari"...

Why do all you people have more time to read in the summer? Are you all students or teachers?

I never read thrillers or mysteries, as such, though the books I read sometimes hold elements of those. I love sci-fi. But lately I've been reading books of a different color. Fiction, I guess. Anyway - it doesn't matter what time of year it is.

Are you feeling seasonally disaffected, D'art? (Love Theroux's travel writing; haven't gotten into his novels.)

Well, I wish it would be sunnier, if that's what you mean, patiodog. Warm rain can be nice, too, but enough already! I'm trying to grow tomatoes from seeds, and right now the starts are about an inch tall. Pathetic specimens, they are...

Theroux's novels can be a lot of fun, though they're not uniformly great. I'm not sure how many are still in print--he's been prolific.

littlek: Teachers probably do have more time to read in the summer, but the idea behind the thread was to wonder if reading habits change in warmer weather due to different locales and circumstances. Beaches (in areas that have 'em), going on road trips, staying in cabins...That sort of thing.

I still don't get it. I seem to have less time to read in the summer, so, most of my reading is done in autumn and fall. I know the question is about types of books read, but there's still the sense that people have more time to read in the summer - don't get it. I'm really not trying to be difficult.

No problem, littlek--there are no right or wrong answers here. I'm sure many peoplehave the same experience. Summer is a time when the weather is nice and it's the season for making up for all the cold, wet months. Hence less time to read. Perfectly understandable...

I probably read as much, but I do it outside. I have a deck chair, and I love setting up in the backyard, drink by my side, and good book!

I love it too, D'Art, but don't get much time to do it. I'm an avid gardener.

As a near-perpetual student, I've only ever had much time to select my own reading during the summer.

I like to garden, too, littlek. I guess I'm avid, though I sometimes wonder how effective I'm being. But I do enjoy it...

Didn't know you were in school, patiodog. Seeking a graduate degree, perhaps?

Ha! I dropped out of two graduate programs, sort of -- before I started on one, in the first week of the other. Working toward a second bachelors, though WA doesn't want me to do it here, so this summer will be more moving than reading.

Why have you decided on a 2nd BS/BA degree?

1) Hate my job, and don't see any prospects for me using my 1st degree (Theater).

2) Am considering applying to vet school; the requirements for the most demanding programs, in terms of entrance requirements, just about amount to a degree in biology, give or take a course or two.

3) Am nurturing the nerdish side of me that I put aside to try and develop the other bits; I don't think school is necessarily the best way to nourish any bits, but, since aims 1 and 2 are already there, well, what the hell...

May end up a mycologist or a hydrologist or something. Dunno what I'll do when and if I grow up.


(But this can't be interesting...)

Hang in there, patiodog. Does WSU have a vet school? You'd be a cougar, you dog!