July 2009
Summer Reading
I remember retreating to the Washburn Library on Lyndale Avenue on the hottest days of summer. I was just old enough to walk there alone, and after four sweltering blocks, stepping into the library was like taking a cold drink.
I’d check the shelf of American Girl books first, because those were my favorites. I loved the stories about Samantha and Molly and Kristen, and the carefully drawn pictures. When I found one that I’d never read before, or an old favorite, I’d slide it off the shelf. If there were a bunch I hadn’t read yet: perfect. Otherwise, I’d wander the library until I had a pile of books in my arms. Sometimes I checked out picture books; I loved anything by Chris Van Allsburg and Tomie DePaola.
The walk home was always hotter than the walk there, because of the books I carried. Once I got home I would go to my room and turn on the window fan. I’d lie on my bed with the fan blowing over my legs, and choose one library book from the new stack on my nightstand. My favorite thing was to read an American Girl book in one stretch, because they’re pretty short, while eating frozen green grapes. There is nothing better to eat on a hot day than frozen green grapes.
Recipe for frozen grapes
• Wash a bowl of green or red grapes, whichever is your favorite
• Pat them dry with a dishtowel, otherwise they will get all stuck together
• Put the bowl in the freezer
• Wait an hour
• Take out the bowl and eat them
• Repeat as necessary
I am older now than I was then, but I still do summer reading in bed with the fan on. Here’s what I’m reading these days:
Tango by Eileen Beha
A pampered Yorkshire Terrier gets lost at sea, and has quite an adventure as he tries to get home. If you love animals, you have to read this book.
The Magic Half by Annie Barrows
Two girls from two different times (1935 and 2005) become friends. How? Read the book! (cue Reading Rainbow sound effect: da da DA).
Godless by Pete Hautman
I haven’t started this book yet. It’s next on my list. I’ve heard great things about it. Let’s read it at the same time, okay? Go make some grapes.
Photo courtesy of chotda's photostream on flickr.com.