Last night I attended the Women Who Read Are Dangerous Party hosted by my favorite local bookstore, Blue Willow Bookshop. I purchased a spot at this event at our elementary school auction party. We had a great time enjoying appetizers, drinks and book talk.
My favorite part of the night was when the owner, Valerie Koehler brought out a stack of books that she had picked out. These were some of her top picks for summer reading. The majority of the women had elementary age children and she had pulled a few books that she recommended for children as well. These included The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott and The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.
Valerie mentioned a few things that really made an impact. She mentioned that when it comes to reading we need to be a role model for our children. Think of the impact you have when you are reading a book and you laugh out loud or you are moved to tears. They want to know what is so funny or why you are crying. This is an opportunity to show them that some stories can effect you emotionally and pull you deeper into the story.
She mentioned that if our kids tell us they don't like to read, then they haven't found the right book. Make this a fun activity with your child by becoming investigators. Think of all the different types of books and the different subjects. Find your child's interest and start there, do they like fiction or non-fiction? Let them investigate, read a little and if they don't like it, have them try another. Find recommendations from your local librarian or neighborhood bookstore. It may take awhile to find the right type of book that will introduce your child to the love of reading. The search for books that make you love reading is well worth it.
We ended the night with a discussion of the 10 books that were recommended, which are listed below. I left the store with several books I can't wait to read. I will follow up with reviews on those books.
The Forgotten Garden
by Kate Morton
The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
by Garth Stein
On the Divinity of Second Chances
by Kaya McLaren
Shanghai Girls
by Lisa See
Annie's Ghosts: A Journey into a Family Secret
by Steve Luxenberg
The19th Wife
by David Ebershoff
Etta: A Novel
by Gerald Kolpan
Into the Beautiful North : A Novel
by Luis Alberto Urrea
Still Alice
by Lisa Genova
You may find out more information or purchase a book by clicking on the title of the book. If you have read any of these books listed above, please comment below.
Cammie Moise