I never read any summer reading assignments when I was a student because the teachers never checked if we’d done it. Dumb teachers.

However, now that I’m an adult, I love reading in the summer since I never have enough time to be a book worm during the school year. I’m not ashamed to say that a night on the couch with a snack and my Kindle Fire (and ST of course)  is more enticing than hitting the bars or limping through Manhattan in heels and a mini skirt.

Here’s what I’ve been burying my nose in lately:

A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin

When I discovered the first season of Game of Thrones last summer while randomly browsing HBO Go, I couldn’t read the books fast enough. I was actually thankful that I’d discovered A Song of Ice and Fire so late in the game because there was no way I could wait for the books to come out.

After breezing through the entire series the first time, I began re-reading it before the second season. I’m glad I did because I missed a lot the first time around. The wait for The Winds of Winter is killing me!

Image via The Great Read.

 

 

The Judas Strain by James Rollins

I started reading James Rollins’ Sigma series because Jenny recommended it and she is a geek diva, so I knew I’d like it. I LOVE it. The previous books in the series were pretty good but The Judas Strain rocked my socks. Yes, I just brought it back to 2005.

Without giving too much away, I loved reading about ecology, immunology, pathology, and of course, sinister plots. If you’re a biologist, a biology-enthusiast, or a science fiction nerd, this series will not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Oracle by James Rollins

Although I’m trying to savor each book in the Sigma series and thus not burn through them, I couldn’t help but read one more. The Last Oracle is yet another thought-provoking work from which I learned so much about anthropology, history, and behavioral biology (I didn’t really study this in college, which made it all the more intriguing). I finished the book with anecdotal historical knowledge that enabled me to engage ST in a scholarly conversation. He has a degree in history.

I really loved this installment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman

I’ve been meaning to start this one since the beginning of the school year but work always got in the way. Feldman offers us a fascinating view of the secretive lives of Hasidic Jews. Living on the border of Sunset and Borough Parks, I encounter Hasidic Jews everyday. We haven’t always coexisted in peace, since they insist on taking up street parking with their school buses, stopping their cars whenever and wherever they want, as well as crossing the street whenever it pleases them. However, Feldman’s book has given me a new appreciation of their culture and insight into their persecution around the world.

I’m up to her recollection about September 11th and it is a great read so far.

 

 

 

 

 

After I finish Unorthodox, I plan on enjoying World War Z by Max Brooks, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, and the rest of the Sigma series on the beaches of Cape May and Costa Rica.

Read anything good this summer? Do share.

Side note: Do you use an e-reader or continue to buy books? The prices are about the same, which makes me cringe. Also, sharing e-books is a bit of a challenge (currently Mel and I share an Amazon account on two different Kindles). Downloading a book within seconds is just so convenient though. Nothing beats that instant satisfaction. Also, I loathe schlepping out to the Strand and subjecting myself to pretentious bookstore employees.