The Family Librarian

Next week my family is taking their annual trip to Mexico.  I am so lucky that I get to go on this trip and do nothing but read, soak up the sun, eat chips and guacamole, and drink beer.  As an English teacher, I get very excited with the idea of an entire week of uninterrupted novel reading time, and I have started to put together my list for the week.  I have also become the family librarian, with my mother, sister, dad and husband all asking for recommendations for their vacation read.  Each person has a different criteria, and I think that I lead them in the right direction.  I'll start with my list first and then give a few ideas that I gave Travis and Sally.  

To start and finish I'll begin the with the last of the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins called Mockingjay. 

These young adult novels follow a female bad ass named Katniss Everdeen as she struggles to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic America.  It has elements of romance, action, and violence and will keep you on your toes through the entire series.  This is a MUST READ.  Do it.  Do it now.

Secondly, I will look to a novel recommended by my friends Kristen and John who are avid readers.  It is by Jonathan Tropper and is called This Is Where I Leave You. 

 The novel has a sad premise: it follows a family that spends seven days and nights under the same roof remembering their deceased father.   This is all while the main character is undergoing a painful divorce.  But, I have been told that it is really funny.  Hard to imagine that this could be funny, but I will take my chances. 

For my third choice, I am thinking of starting the second installment of The Girl With The Dragan Tatoo by Stieg Larsson called The Girl Who Played With Fire. 

I read the first one last year in Mexico and I have to admit it was a tough start.  It takes place in Sweden, which is cold, and is a crime drama which is not always my first choice.  But, I will say, once I got started I was hooked.  It follows magazine publisher and journalist Mikael Blomkvist and another kick ass female character Lisbeth Salander.  I must have a thing with strong women.  I had to finish it the same day I started.  I have also been told that the second and third book are just as hard to put down. 

I am still thinking about my fourth choice for the week.  I'm sure it will be something easy like a Peter Mayle book or a chick lit book, something that fits the ease of the vacation. 

For Travis/husband: 
I recommended the Hunger Games series for him.  I have a few guy students who have DEVOURED these books, and I think Travis will do the same.  He is also reading another from his favorite author Peter Mayle called Anything Considered.  Peter Mayle is famous for is novel turned movie A Good Year.  All of his novels have a similar premise:  an aimless, overworked, single, rich man looking for a big move.  Usually to the French countryside.  Also, there is a beautiful, smart French woman who helps the overworked rich man solve some kind of crime involving wine or art.  Mayle's books are the epitome of escapist fiction.  

For Sally/sister: 
She wanted an easy, fun read for the beach so I suggested some classic chick lit.  Usually, I shy away from these novels because I am an English teacher and I should only read serious novels.  (Please take note of my sarcasm).  For example, Emily Griffin's novel Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy in book form.  I recommended her for Sally and she chose Love The One You're With.  Sally also chose an author named Jen Lancaster who is a blogger that is supposedly hilarious.  She chose both of her books titled Pretty in Plaid and Bitter is the New Black.  I look forward to borrowing these books when I tire of my sad, cold titles. 

If you are looking for some good reads, I hope these help you in your search!  Also, I am also looking for something new to read, so pass some of your favorites along the way.