Summer Reading

I have been looking forward to summer this year for many reasons. For one, it means I'm done with another year of school. In fact, as I looked over my last week of classes a few minutes ago, I realized that all I have left for the semester is one short paper. Then a few finals and I'm set free until another year kicks up in August. I will of course be working this summer, but nothing extreme. Hopefully I will have time for some bike rides, maybe a few nights of camping, some tennis, some summer fun in the city, lots of Ravinia, and of course, nights of relaxation on our patio in Country Glen. Also, I always look forward to summers so that I can finally read some books that have caught my interest but just have not had time for during the school year. So in anticipation of lots of reading, here is my list of ten books that I will start, and hopefully finish, in these next few months...

1. The Chronicles of Narnia--Every summer should probably have some C.S. Lewis, and I have been meaning to re-read these books for several years now. I am determined to at least get through a few of the set this summer in my return to the adventures of those crazy British kids. I love these books.
2. The World is Flat--I rarely read something on the current bestseller lists, but this one has provoked my interest. I'm actually quite looking forward to exploring the way technology is shrinking our world.
3. A Generous Orthodoxy--I am compelled to read this book simply because of the vastly different reviews I read and hear. I have thoroughly enjoyed the New Kind of Christian books by Brian McLaren (I am currently reading the third one) so am excited to see how he continues to challenge and provoke my understanding of Christianity.
4. No Man is an Island--It's true, this is the book that inspired the name of my blog, but I have never actually finished reading the book. I truly enjoy Thomas Merton and have loved what I've read so far so figure it's high time I get down to finishing the book.
5. Traveling Mercies--Many people have recommended this book to me and I have owned it since I bought it at Powell's in Portland a year ago. It's time to experience the writing of Anne Lamott because some people say I will just love her. We'll see.
6. Will in the World--This is a highly acclaimed book by Stephen Greenblatt, and quite frankly, I've had too little of Shakespeare in my life in recent times for my liking. I am going to dive into this acclaimed study of the man and his work, and who knows, maybe even read some of the chapters in my best British accent that I can muster.
7. The Brothers Karamazov--Last year I began a long-desired adventure into the Russian classics by reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. Well, that book did not satisfy the desire, but in fact added more fuel to the flame. These books with their thousand pages and thousand characters are certainly intimidating, but I want to make myself up for the challenge. And let's face it--this book is a literary classic on all the lists...Let's go Dostoevsky!
8. Spiritual Direction and the Care of Souls--This book was required reading for a class I had this semester. Yet although it was required, it didn't quite get read. I did get to read the first few chapters and wanted to read the rest, but alas, papers and projects and Curb Your Enthusiasm called my name louder. So hopefully this summer I will be able to finish reading about various traditions and faiths as they explore and experience spiritual direction and the disciplines.
9. Becoming Mona Lisa: The Making of a Global Icon--I was first intrigued by this book by Donald Sassoon many months ago while wandering the clearance section of Barnes and Noble. I am intrigued to look at the painting that really has become a cultural icon. Who knows, maybe a little contemporary society with art and DaVinci...sounds pretty interesting to me.
10. Still Open--You see, I realized I had several titles I wanted to put in this #10 slot. But I know that I am not the type of reader that can really formalize my reading agenda. I know there will be some book that I stumble across or find on my shelves that will grab my attention and become my primary literary focus for the time being. And you know what, that's part of the joy in reading for me, so I'm not too eager to remove that and become all mechanical and what not. So if you have a specific recommendation, that's allowed too. I do want to read some more sociology, always love international journalism, and also want to find a good book that addresses the issue of First Peoples here in America. Plus there are many authors that I love and know I can always pick up something new or old of theirs to sink my mind into. Oh, I love books!

Needless to say, I'm excited about this list. My goal is to read the entire list, but let's face it, I'll be delighted if I finish five or so of these titles. There are indeed more pages than there is time.