COLUMN: Soak up the sun with a few good books
It’s getting to that point in the year when I attempt to open my media research textbook and my eyes instantly gloss over, the words causing my facial features to go into a coma. After several hours, I awaken and realize the only thing I’ve learned during my study session is that page two does indeed come after page one.
I’m textbooked out. The only reason I want to have a textbook in my hands is when I give it to the woman behind the podium in the Taggart Student Center and she hands me a nice big wad of cash.
In three short weeks, I’ll fly off to my internship in Washington, D.C., – with a literary foundation, ironically. I won’t wait until I’m off the plane to start my summer reading list. I can’t wait to string a hammock between some trees and cuddle up with some works of literary merit. Here are the books I’ve been anxiously anticipating since the semester began.
“Into the Wild,” by Jon Krakauer
I’ll be honest, I’m never going to be a jump-on-a-plane-and-fly-across-the-world-with-no-preparation kind of girl. I like planning things, and planning them carefully at that. It’s not to say I don’t have dreams of traveling across the globe, I just want to make sure it’s done in a very particular fashion.
I love books that let me be adventurous without leaving my soft living room cushions. “Into the Wild” is bound to be captivating, seeing as it’s by journalist Jon Krakauer. Journalists, naturally, make the best storytellers.
“Into the Wild” has been on bookshelves for years, but I haven’t had a chance to pick it up. The book follows the real-life story of Christopher Johnson McCandless as he sells or gives away everything he owns and hitchhikes to Alaska. Following the footsteps of his hero Jack London, he burns his car and all of his cash and sets off into the unknown, ignoring the pleas of his family.
Called “heartbreaking” and “mesmerizing” by reviews, the story follows McCandless to his tabloid-worthy death. I just hope the storytelling lives up to that of classic journalists-gone-authors like Upton Sinclair.
“Holes,” by Louis Sachar
You’re asking why I would put a book on the list that a) Is for 10-year-olds, and b) I’ve already read five times. Besides this list, I’m also trying to read – and in some cases re-read – every Newberry Medal award-winning book. but I strongly believe children’s books have the ability to take us back to our childhood, which is not always a bad thing.
Just in case you didn’t know – or haven’t seen the movie – “Holes” follows Stanley Yelnats as he is is sent to Camp Green Lake for boys. Everyday the boys dig holes exactly five feet deep and five feet across to “build character.” As the story unfolds, Stanley finds himself in a 100-year-old mystery. No matter if you’re 6 years old or 60, this is a book that’s hard to set down.
“The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates,” by Wes Moore
On the list of book genres I like, murder mysteries typically fall pretty low. I like a good plot twist, but reading about gore and blood always leaves me with a churning stomach.
“The Other Wes Moore” is a true story based on the self-titled author. He finds a man who shares his name, comes from a remarkably similar background as him and is within two years of his own age. The catch is the other Wes Moore is a murderer, with a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole. The story follows both Moores, who eventually end up meeting one another. Even the summary of this book is gripping enough that I decided to give it a try, though I may have to read it with all of the doors bolted shut.
“Don Quixote,” by Miguel De Cervantes
I can’t say I’ve been dying to read it. After all, I’ve seen the movie three times. I still don’t understand what’s so funny about a crazy man trying to pick a fight with a windmill.
I’m giving into peer pressure on this one and reading it simply because so many people have told me I can’t die without having read the novel. I wasn’t really sold until I saw it was The Guardian’s No. 1 fiction book – ever. If there’s one thing in this life I trust, it’s The Guardian book lists. I’ll knock it out in a couple of afternoons and see if it was indeed worth my time.
“The Hobbit,” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Growing up, I think I tried to read “The Hobbit” at least five times. I never got too far past, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit… ” before my eyes started to droop. promise. I don’t like every blade of grass on the plains explained to me in intricate detail.
Nonetheless, before the movie comes out, I’ve vowed to follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins through the “dominion of men” to find his treasure. “The Hobbit” is said to be one of the greatest tales of all time. As long as I can get past the first five pages, I’m sure this will prove to be true.
-allee.evensen@aggiemail.usu.edu