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 July:
Sick of all the negative news in the media? Here’s a trick for staying positive: read positive books. Christenson delivers some gems of homespun wisdom in both a light-hearted and heart-warming way. The perfect cure for the nightly news blues.
Here’s a great book for executives to read on a short flight. Don’t appreciate the daily trials and tribulations of a stay-at-home mother? After losing his job, McKenna got to play Mr. Mom with his three kids while his wife “brought home the bacon.” Hilarity and wisdom ensue in this quick-read that is sure to bring a smile to your face.
This one reads like a kid’s book, and I think parrotheads will get a kick out of it. Reading Buffett is just about as relaxing as listening to his music. And for those of you who love a little Cliff Clavin-like trivia, did you know that Jimmy Buffett is one of a select number of authors to top the New York Times bestseller list in both fiction and non-fiction?
I’ll let adults in on a little secret: some of the best literature available is reserved for teens. Such is the case with anything by Steve Burt, an incredibly gifted storyteller who manages to write chilling stories like this one (part of a series that includes the Bram Stoker award-winning Oddest Yet) or heartwarming stories like A Christmas Dozen. Especially popular with reluctant boy readers, Burt is a treat for all ages (and genders).
I am thrilled that this classic is back in print! A wonderful story (probably my favorite) by the very talented M.E. Kerr, this book shows the fragility of high school popularity. Very “popular” among all teen readers.
I am fascinated by one of the most tragic events in American history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 that needlessly killed 146 immigrant seamstresses. This brilliantly-written novel chronicles one family’s resilience through devastating circumstances. Some of the best writing I have come across in a long time for young adults…I am anxious to read more by Jacqueline Davies.
Here’s one for the fellas. Crutcher avoids athletic stereotypes in six compelling short stories that shed a whole new light on jocks in school. Makes for good read alouds with middle schoolers.
#08
Diego: Bigger Than Life
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
This one is a MUST BUY. Beautiful illustrations by David Diaz and wonderful poems throughout chart the life of one of my favorite painters, Diego Rivera. The colorful illustrations and poems match this artist’s colorful life. Perfect for read alouds.
#09
Get Up and Go: Being Active
by Amanda Doering Tourville
Childhood obesity concerns me, as I believe that active children are healthier and smarter (if you don’t believe me, read Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen). Kids need to play, and this book demonstrates a number of activities for children to enjoy in all seasons.
#10
Archibald's Swiss Cheese Mountain
by Sylvia Lieberman
What a wonderful story for children to follow their passions but be careful to “measure with their whiskers.” With enchanting illustrations by Jeremy Wendell, this book makes a wonderful parable to read aloud to children and adults alike.
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Isn’t the summer a wonderful time to catch up on some great reading? I love nothing more than grabbing a coffee and reading a book (preferably on a beach, but often on an airplane). Anyone who knows me knows that I’ll read just about anything, and this past month was no different. I read some duds (I won’t mention them by name), but I also came across some gems (that were above 250 pages), including Zac Crain’s Black Tooth Grin (fascinating tale of guitarist Dimebag Abbott’s tragic onstage murder), Randall Rutledge’s informational From Movie City to Music City, USA (about how to make it in movies or music without being related to a studio executive), Janet Evanovich’s latest Stephanie Plum novel Finger Lickin’ Fifteen and Stieg Larsson’s page-turning thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (great recommendation by my brother-in-law, Patrick Tan).
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, CA 90747
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.
