Required Reading

Our Tators are always reading. Here are some of their favorite books for the month of July.

July's Required Reading



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Angie

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman: Probably one of the strangest stories I've read lately. I was looking for a quick read, and this was perfect. I was hooked on the very first page. A very dark, but perceptive, look at what it means to become a grownup and understanding too much of a good thing can be very, very bad.

Heather

Jennifer Miller's The Year of the Gadfly. Despite being categorized as young adult fiction, Gadfly is an engaging read for older fiction lovers as well. Miller has worked diligently to bring attention to her debut novel from creating a Novelade Stand (complete with homemade cookies) to setting a world record. Her efforts are paying off as she's receiving high praise from a broad swath of readers.

Jared

I liked The Phantom of the Opera for a few different reasons. The first is how he actually wrote the story. I like that it came across as a true story and he wrote it like a crime novel of which I don't usually read, but it's pretty good. It's also depending on how true it is, it shed some light into the old days and theater life. I would now love to read a book that truly depicts the life in the opera during those times.

Jeane

 Juliet Dove Queen of Love by Bruce Coville. (one reason I chose this book as Required Reading is because I read some really crappy books in the month of July, except this book). Even though it is for ages 7-12, Bruce Coville is a great author (I got a chance to meet him and he signed a bunch of books for my daughter!) and this is a great book. It is heavily seeped in Greek mythology so kids will even learn things! Don't really recommend for adults unless they like reading children's books like me :) This is also the 5th book in the Magic Shop series, but you can read it stand alone. 

Karena

The Light in the Ruins was a phenomenal book. If you like Italy, WW2, murder mysteries, family, etc. this is your book.

Laura

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a fantastic mix of adventure, spy action, and romance with the Scarlet Pimpernel as the superhero. At times, it reminded me of Superman with the dual identity factor...meanwhile taking place during one of the most bloody and pivotal points in history, the French Reign of Terror, where the guillotine worked over time. I wrote a paper on the French Revolution in High School, explaining why the Reign of Terror was a "necessary evil."  I had nightmares for weeks while writing this paper, so it was cool to revisit this topic. But this time, I saw it from the aristocrat point of view and felt sympathy for the nobility. 

What was your favorite read this month?

Required Reading

Our Tators are always reading. Here are their favorite books for the month of June.

June's Required Reading



More of the Tator's books »

Angie 

The Golem and the Jinni: This book was amazing to read. It is the perfect mix of fantasy and realistic fiction. The imagery is vivid, and the characters are well-developed. 

Heather

Michael G. Santos' Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Sentence. Mr. Santos' book is equal parts engrossing and remarkable. This story is the epitome of finding strength within oneself in the face of great adversity; it's much more than turning lemons into lemonade. The lessons Mr. Santos learns while in prison and shares with readers aren't limited to the confining concrete walls of incarceration -- they're lessons all of us can learn about how to lead gracious, focused, and goal-oriented lives while managing the obstacles life throws our way.

Jared

I like the science of it [Solaris]. 

Jeane

Hilarious! Perfect story for anyone who likes science fiction, or humor, or just a light hearted action book. Redshirts by John Scalzi will make you laugh out loud and as a bonus Wil Wheaton narrates the audio book! Awesome! 

Karena

I have two this month. I really enjoyed Gone Girl and Hunted. I hesitated to submit GG for my pick because I really don't have much more to say about it than anyone has already, but I liked the unpredictability of it and the characters were though unlikeable, intriguing.  And Hunted was a fun, action packed read. If you are looking for an Urban Fantasy series to try, I HIGHLY suggest the Iron Druid Chronicles. 

Laura

Behind the Attic Wall  - I read this book during my lunch time at work. I usually eat lunch alone because of how the schedule works out, and I often feel lonely, so I identified with Maggie who drinks tea and eats crumpets with her new family of dolls. This is a very touching and magical book that would make for an amazing movie. 

Did you have any favorites this month?

Required Reading

Our Tators are always reading. Here are their favorite books for the month of May.

May's Required Reading



More of All's books »

Angie

I recently finished the short story supplements to the Chaos Walking trilogy, entitled The New World, The Wide, Wide Sea, and Snowscape. If you have read the series, you should definitely read these short stories. They are great additions to the plot and gave me just the closure I needed after the final book in the original trilogy

Heather

My Required Reading is Matthew Amster-Burton's Pretty Good Number One: An American Family Eats Tokyo. It's about fun, family, and food in Japan as the author spends a summer in Tokyo with his wife and eight year-old daughter in a tiny apartment. It is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny, saliva-inducing, and wanderlust string-pulling. You will probably be packing your bags for Japan mid-book. Full review forthcoming!

Jared

Bonk is a refreshing, realistic view on a topic that is often shied away from in the mainstream. It also has some well done studies that aren't in the public eye. I'm not all the way finished with it, but loving it so far.

Jeane

 I listened to The First Part Last on audio and I think that the narrator did an absolutely fantastic job. When I started I wasn't sure if I would life this book, but I ended up loving it.  I also liked that this is a look at not only teenage fatherhood, but teenage single fatherhood which is a whole other ball game!  

Karena

I really enjoyed Where'd You Go, Bernadette as I mentioned in my review earlier this month. It was snarky, funny and at its core, heartwarming. 

Laura

Like the main character in Cat's Eye, a few years ago, I just moved back to the town where I grew up. I strongly identify with Elaine's feelings and how she is reminded of her childhood by her familiar surroundings.  She is wants to see her old friends yet is hesitant at the same time.


Did you have any favorites this month?

Required Reading

Our Tators are always reading. Here are their favorite books of the month.

April's Required Reading



More of our Tator's books »

Heather

My Favorite Match: WWE Superstars Tell the Stories of Their Most Memorable Matches: Robinson's book is exactly as promised: wrestlers telling the stories of their favorite matches. Even though I wasn't intimately knowledgeable about it when I began, I felt as though the stories taught me about the world of professional wrestling and inspired me learn more. Now, I can't get enough!

In Cold Blood: A must-read. It's  gruesome premise has been transformed into an expertly woven narrative; beautifully written and emotional. It has rocketed to the top of my favorites list and I highly recommend it.

Laura

When You Reach Me: Having lived in Queens, NY as a child myself in the early 1980's, I was able to identify with the main characters.  Back then, we were able to walk around the city in certain spots as children and still feel safe.  I felt that the author tapped into how a child around the age of 10 would think.  There are even references to "The $20,000 Pyramid."  I enjoyed it because there were moments when I was taken back to my childhood.

Jared

Brave New World: My wife made me.  Details on the next podcast. 

Karena

Life After Life: This book blew my mind. For people who ever wonder "What if I would have done x instead of y?" Sure, dying over and over again is pretty freaking extreme, but it was a very interesting concept. And with the very premise Atkinson uses, this story is never quite over, even when you run out of pages. 

Discount Armageddon: For a fun read, this one hit on so many levels. It was funny (religious mice!), action packed (free running across the roofs of New York City), and packed with smart dialogue (did I mention funny?). I had already been a fan of McGuire's with her Toby Daye series, but this one is even better.

Jeane

Nickel and Dimed: About not getting by in America. A non-fiction that reads like a fiction. A little outdated but easy to follow with a great narrator voice. Anyone struggling to break into the non-fiction genre, this would be a gateway book for you.

Angie

They Don't Dance Much: James Ross, in They Don't Dance Much, does an amazing job of capturing life during the depression in rural North Carolina. Filled with sex, torture, and murder, this story is sure to keep you reading. However, please be aware that this novel was written in the 1930's and has language that truly captures the south at the time, including an over-abundance of the "n" word.

Required Reading

Want to read our Tator recommendations? Here is March's Required Reading.

Jeane: Fuzzy Nation and Fault in our Stars (She couldn't pick just one, they were THAT good!)

Jared: A Study in Scarlet(Who doesn't love some Sherlock?)

Angie: Brave New World (which also happens to be April's book choice!)

Karena: The Grapes of Wrath (read about the experience here) and Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald (review to post April 4th).

Laura: The Night Circus (She succumbed to our peer pressure. Only Jared is left!)

What was the best book you read this month?