Welcome to the Lazy Readers' Book Club, your reading time manager!
This is where you go when you want to read quality books that don't take years to finish. My mission is to increase interest in reading by providing cool, short book recommendations for all ages. From interest comes devotion.
As teachers, parents or whatever state we find ourselves in, we often cannot find time to read for fun, and I think it is important that our children see us reading for pleasure. Therefore, each month I provide book recommendations that are quick and easy to read for personal pleasure. I try not to include any books over 250 pages, and I always include books written for a variety of ages (don't be shy about reading kids' books, though; they are my favorites because they generally have shorter chapters, bigger print and colorful pictures).
I hope you find a few moments to enjoy these quick reads in March:
If you have an afternoon free to dive into a wonderful mystery, be sure to dive into one of Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano books. This is the sixth in a terrific series that are pure chocolate: easy to devour in a single sitting.
A touching and informative book written by a doctor who wants terminally ill people (and their families) to understand their options. Good book for everyone to read, as the empathetic Dr. Martensen points out the tough questions that people need to ask.
Grabbed a copy when I read praise on the cover from Mark Haddon (author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). This is a MUST READ. One of the best young adult novels I have read in years, as it manages to cast a self-centered teen (redundant?) in dire circumstances (a 21st century World War), and the protagonist actually learns empathy – something more adolescents could use. Middle school students cannot stop talking about this one.
When I come across teens who don’t like to read, one of my favorite authors to direct them to is William Sleator. While Sleator writes a lot of great sci-fi, this “horror” book is a great way to peak teens’ interest in reading. Fast-paced, with plenty of clever twists and turns.
A tale of two drastically different cousins. When one commits suicide, the other spirals down the same path until her family intervenes. I found the book to be pleasantly uplifting in an overcrowded market of morose tales of teen angst.
The perfect book for teachers to complement Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Lockhart’s female protagonist turns into a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room, and hilarity and introspection ensue.
I am a huge fan of Sandy Koufax (read Jane Leavey’s terrific biography on the Dodger icon). This book is such an easy sell with boys. Andre Carrilho’s illustrations add so much, as young readers are treated to seeing Koufax’s perfect pitching motion.
Jeanne Willis always makes me laugh, and Tony Ross always provides Willis with fabulous illustrations. Funny how everything looks different when you’re upside down.
Looking for an interactive read aloud that is sure to delight young children? Go no further. Kids love participating in the sound effects of Fuge’s simple story with fun illustrations.
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I have been on a medical book kick lately. I guess the health care debate subliminally drew me to that section of the bookstore. I have also checked-out a number of books on film, probably because of the Oscars. After logging nearly 50,000 BIS (“butt in seat”) air miles this past month, I found myself reading even more than usual. Some highlights included The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Switch by Chip and Dan Heath (authors of one of my favorites, Made to Stick), The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell and Willie Mays: The Life, the Legend by James D. Hirsch.
PLEASE NOTE: I AM IN THE PROCESS OF RE-DESIGNING THE WEBSITE SO THAT I CAN RESUME E-MAILING FREE MONTHLY BOOK PICKS TO SUBSCRIBERS. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY.
Anyhow, enjoy this month’s book selections. I hope you are all reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me all about them. If you're an author or a publisher and would like to send me review copies of your book(s), please send them to:
Dr. Danny Brassell
CSUDH, COE 1440
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA90747
I make every effort to read everything that is sent to me (as a matter of fact, I am always more likely to mention books that are sent to me…hint, hint).
Some folks take offense that I call this site the "Lazy" Readers' Book Club. I know many of us are avid readers. This site is for everyone who doesn't have time to read thicker books but still have a hunger to read some quality literature. What bothers me is that there are only 24 hours in a day, and hectic schedules often prevent us from one of life's greatest pleasures: reading. By the way: people who read more become better readers, and my experiences have shown me that people who reader shorter books eventually gravitate to longer ones. Indeed, even I find the time to read lengthier books, now that I have developed a taste for shorter ones.
Remember, books and other items purchased from Amazon.com through links from the lazyreaders.com website will directly benefit BookEnds (http://www.bookends.org), a nonprofit organization devoted to increasing children's access to books and community service awareness. All you have to do is visit our website, click on Amazon, and Amazon will donate up to 10 percent of your total purchase to BookEnds. Visitors to our site who have used this feature have already raised a lot of money for this wonderful cause. Keep it up!
Every day I receive emails from people who want to be sent this list of monthly book picks. If you know anybody who would like to be included on the list, ask them to register at our website link, http://lazyreaders.com/contact.html, to receive my monthly recommendations. If you want to be removed from this list, please just say so. I promise that I will never forward anything but my monthly book picks. That's the honest truth - no mortgage rate ads or promises to help you lose 10 lbs. in three hours. I'll just send book recommendations once a month.
Please remember to read for fun and to read to your children, and e-mail me any short books that you'd like to have considered for our lists.
