Books to Borrowers: Books to Read on Vacation 2002

This is the season for trips, leisurely walks on the beach, softball, and picnics. In other words: vacation. These books are either good reading for those idle days or books about people traveling either in imaginary spaces or real adventurers. While some of the books are not available at the Sprague Library (*), they are definitely “summer stock.”

Philip, N. & Moxley, S. The Arabian Nights. PZ8.A8525

If you like short exotic stories, try these favorite tales from the Near East. Includes Aladdin and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Adams, Douglas. The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. PR6051.D3352 H5 1989

A humorous account of traveling throughout the galaxy with Arthur Dent and Ford Perfect to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Cahill, Thomas:

The Hinges of History. BM165 .C25 1998
How the Irish saved civilization. DA930.5 .C34 1996
The Gifts of the Jews. BM165.C25 1998
These three books give a picture of some great and small events which changed the course of history.

Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood. HV6533. K3 C3
Set in Kansas this docudrama chronicles the murder of the Clutter family and the investigation and capture of the murderers. This is the forerunner of the true crime stories now dominating television.

*Collins, Wilkie. The Moonstone.
Travel back to a “First.” Written in the 19th century, this novel is considered to be the first great mystery novel, and it set the standard for those to follow. A fabulous diamond has disappeared. No one is who they seem and nothing can be taken for granted in this classic who dunit.

Flagg, Fannie. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café. PS3556.L26 F7 1988. Yes, people really do eat fried green tomatoes. Whistle Stop Alabama isn’t the only place to serve them, but no one else has the story of four women, two in the 1980’s and two in the1930’s with a little murder tossed in for a piquant flavor.

Gallico, Paul. Coronation. PS3513.A413 C6
Travel to London in 1952 to see the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth with the Claggs.

Girzone, Joseph F.:

Joshua. PS3557.I77 J6 1986
Joshua and the children. PS3557.I77 J64 1989
Two parables about a stranger who changes all around him.

Karon, Jan:

At Home in Mitford. PS3562.A678 A92 1994
A New Song. PS3561.A678 N49 1999
*In This Mountain.
Out to Canaan. PS3561.A678 O78 1997

Perhaps North Carolina is your favorite spot. Jan Karon has created a town people really believe exists and often take trips to the area looking for it. Meet Father Tim and his neighbors and friends in these light hearted books and learn about the prayer that never fails.

Lewis, C. S. The Chronicles of Narnia series in reading order:
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. PZ7.L58474 Li 1994
Prince Caspian. PZ7.L58474 Pr1994

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. PZ7.L58474 Vo 1994

The Silver Chair. PZ7.L58474 Si 1994

The Horse and His Boy. PZ7. L58474 Ho1994
The Magician’s Nephew. PZ7. L58474 Mag 1994
The Last Battle. PZ7.L58474 Las 1994
Narnia is an intriguing kingdom to explore alone or with a child in tow.

Manguel, Alberto. The Dictionary of Imaginary Places. Ref.GR650.M36 1999.

This reference work is a travel guide to those places conceived and developed in literature.

Sandburg, Carl. Rootabaga Stories and More Rootabaga Stories. PZ8.S25 Ros 1988.

A collection of fairy tales with such villages as Liver-and-Onions and Cream Puffs.

Santmyer, Helen. "---And Ladies of the Club." PS3537.A775 A82 1985.

This is a “thick book” perfect for lazy days. It chronicles the lives of ladies in WaynesBoro Women’s Club in Waynesboro,Ohio from the post Civil War Days to the 50’s, and in particular, the Evans and Tucker families.

Sleator, William. Interstellar Pig. PZ7.S6313 ik 1995.

How Barney spent his summer vacation and saved the universe.

*Smith, Dodie. I Capture the Castle.

A funny coming of age story about a young girl in England and her rather eccentric family who has lost everything and must move to a “castle.”

Tolkien, J. R.R. The Hobbit. PZ7. T5744 Ho 1984

Always great summer reading. A good series to read again since the books have been turned in to motion pictures. Travel to Middle Earth and reacquaint yourselves with Bilbo Baggins and Gollum.