Summer 2019 Reading List

Hello everyone!

Summer is just around the corner and I thought I’d give you guys a preview into what I hope to be reading this summer. I’ve already read a few of the books on this list, but summer is one of those seasons that I like to sink into something familiar. There are a few new additions though, so I have a bit of a mixed bag.

The Iliad and The Odyssey– Homer

The blade itself incites to deeds of violence

Homer

I’ve read portions of The Odyssey back in high school for my English classes, but I’ve never actually sat down and read the saga in its entirety. As one of the most referenced pieces of literature-right up there with the Bible and the works of Shakespeare- I thought it would be a good idea to start reading Homer’s classics.

I actually just recently bought my own copy of this book, using a gift card my parents gifted me for my birthday. I’m one of those people that actually reads a book from cover to cover so I’ve read the foreword already and started reading the preface the other night. Now this may sound slow paced, but I read aloud because it helps me understand what it is I’m reading more efficiently. Also, I read right before bed so I can only usually get a few pages in before I start to get really sleepy. I’m excited to delve further into this book though!

A Tale of Two Cities– Charles Dickens

I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul

Charles Dickens

This is another book that I was introduced to during my high school career, though unlike The Odyssey, I actually finished this one. One of my most distinct memories concerning this book has to do with a class discussion we were having one day. One day in my Sophomore English class, I was sitting in my desk as the class was discussing possible predictions for how A Tale of Two Cities was going to progress. As I sat there, I raised my hand and made my prediction, which ended up being completely accurate. I was tickled by the idea but in finding out-preemptively- that I was right about the end of the book, I never actually finished it. That being said, I want to re-read this book over the summer and finally finish this classic tale of the best and worst of times.

I have a slight obsession with pretty books, so A Tale of Two Cities is another book that I added to my collection partly for nostalgia, but mostly because it is a beautiful version of the book. It’s my goal to have all the classics in the Barnes & Noble collector’s editions. Maybe I should do a post about all of the ones I have so far. Anyway, random tangent aside, let’s get back to the list!

Leaves of Grass– Walt Whitman

I believe a blade of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars

Walt Whitman

I don’t even remember how I was originally introduced to Walt Whitman’s works, but I do remember that the first poem I ever read from him was “The Body Electric”, or part of it anyway. I recently acquired Leaves of Grass for my birthday, as a present from my boyfriend. I’ve read a few pages so far and I’m already excited to explore the poetry within the work. I am a bit of a geek in that I honestly do love a good poem, as well as a good book. That being said, this collection by Walt Whitman is sure to be a fulfilling experience!

I think the thing about poetry is that it is meant to be read aloud. Similar to ancient oratories like Gilgamesh or Beowulf, something of the meaning behind the words is lost if it is not read aloud. Therefore, I usually read poetry out loud unless I’m in some type of social situation where this would be impractical or embarrassing.

Frankenstein– Mary Shelley

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change

Mary Shelley

With the addition of this book, I’m beginning to realize just how many books were introduced to me through school. This book, for instance, was one that I read for a project in my Junior year of high school. Though I read it as a requirement, Frankenstein was one of the most cathartic reads I’ve ever experienced. There’s something about the moral struggle in Victor as well as the emotive and depressing quality of the monster that is just so incredibly human, that it will forever be one of my favorite books. I remember as I was reading this book for the first time, reading aloud of course, I actually started to cry-at multiple parts. My throat became sore during that time as a result of the reading, but mainly to the emotions that were clogging my system.

I am excited to be reading this book again because with most anything that a person reads, any separate occasion that a reading is completed you uncover something which you hadn’t noticed before. I’m excited to see what I’ll notice this time, or what I won’t notice. I wonder if the emotions will hit me as hard as they did the first time? Only one way to find out I suppose!

Well, with June starting and so precious few months in summer, I really ought to get reading! Hope you all have fun embarking on your own reading lists this summer as well!

Happy Reading,

Maddison C. Jones