Stay of Execution Book Report: Misc.

I've been reading a lot of children's books recently. Just re-read The Phantom Tollbooth, Freaky Friday, and The Westing Game. Also read Louis Sacher's Holes. All good, although Freaky Friday is weak and dated. The Westing Game is certainly the best of the bunch. Everyone should read it. If you need to find a fourth or fifth grader as an excuse, fine. But pay attention, it's tricky.

Once upon a time I used to read out loud to my boyfriend. I would read to him while he drifted off to sleep. Sometimes children's books, sometimes short stories, sometimes poetry. I like doing that. I miss it, far more than I miss him. I suppose I could read to the dog.

I've also recently read Ella Minnow Pea, which didn't particularly do it for me. All concept, no characters. I just don't dig words that much. I tried, but couldn't stand, Doug Rushkoff's Exit Strategy. Again, all concept, lousy execution. You get no literary credit with me for being an interesting social experiment. And Jane Austen's Persuasion, which I found fresh and entertaining, of course, but not up to Pride and Prejudice standards.

Comments

[cmc]

The Westing Game! Wow! What a blast from the past! Somehow I don't think that I have thought of that book since about 1979 or 1980 even though I loved it and re-read several times back then. Thanks for the post and the revived memory!

[Autumn]

I feel like this is the reading list for my class! We just finished Holes and are now reading The Westing Game. When we finish that, we'll read The Phantom Tollbooth! I love them as much as the kids, maybe more.

[kristine]

I LOVED The Westing Game. I still have it on my shelf and reread it occassionally, just to make me feel good.

Since I collect children's book and adolescent fiction, and you are reading children's books, I'll recommend The Dark is Rising series, by Susan Cooper. Very smart, very good reads.

[Caroline]

If you haven't read it - try "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. Great book with some deep themes. I loved it as a kid and recently re-read it and still loved it. I gave it to my 11 year old nephew and he couldn't put it down!

[matt]

i can't help chiming in:
The Man in the Ceiling, by Jules Pfeiffer
and if you can find it
Sinbad and Me, by Kin Platt

[Charlsie]

wow, after posting, I clicked the link to The Westing Game to check it out, and the plot outline is very similar to A Tangled Web - it starts out with the reading of a will and follows the story of the events that the terms of the will sets into motion. Interesting....

[Charlsie]

A Wrinkle in Time is definitely worth it. All of L'Engle's books are worth it. Persuasion is a great book, but I agree that Pride and Prejudice is the best. I just finished a great new story by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer called The Grand Tour - a fun fantasy mystery story (it is a sequal to a story they wrote as part of a letter game). I also adore L. M. Montgomery - I would suggest A Tangled Web - it has a great story line full of rich characters who all evolve and change.

[ijk]

Check out Kristin Bakis' Lives of the Monster Dogs...you, dog lover that you are, will love this brilliant first novel. If you want a more challenging, but another brilliant first novel, check out Iain Banks' Wasp Factory. I've used both in more than one book club to wonderful effect....

[B]

Have you thought about volunteering at the library to read children's stories. I used to read for second grade class. once a week as a guest. I think they stopped asking for fingerprints and background checks so you are safe:)

[Dylan]

Whaaaaa? Seeing The Wasp Factory pop up in a discussion of children's books is possibly the most jarring thing I've ever read. I can't imagine a book that could be more out of place.

How about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? One of my favorites and fun to read out loud

[max]

This book was GAY!!!!!