My husband doesn’t read. The last book he vaguely remembers opening was The Jim Thorpe Story borrowed from the high school library in 1984. He still has it. Given my career as a librarian, this initially appalled me on many levels. Could he ever appreciate my interest in a well-executed plot twist? Would our children be predisposed to theft? Then he discovered audio books.

These days I can always find him by following the sound of a stranger’s voice. Usually it’s George Guidall or Scott Brick, his favorite narrators, booming from the garage.  He now listens to many more books than I read, gravitating to stories featuring a somewhat psychopathic private investigator roaming the South. His current favorites:

Gator A-Go-Go by Tim Dorsey
featuring Serge Storms eliminating the bad guys in ever inventive ways

Deep Shadow by Randy Wayne White
with Doc Ford forced to help some ex-cons dive for lost treasure

Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
centered on Det. Robicheaux avenging a murder in the bayou

Spider Mountain by Peter Deutermann
with Cam Richter hunting down a meth lab in the Smokies

Silencer by James Hall
proving that saving Florida’s wilderness is risky business for newly wealthy P.I. Thorn

Purists would say he still isn’t “reading”.  I say the process may not be the same, but the beauty of plot, language and knowledge are still finding their way to his brain, just by way of the ears instead of the eyes.  I plan on surprising him with an MP3 player soon. Downloading from the library would save me searching for all those misplaced CDs, but then he doesn’t even know how to turn on our computer…

“Reading” any favs using audio or is that not really “reading”?

My 9-year-old granddaughter is having a good reading summer! She’s already finished a couple of books on her list for school. She’s also discovered some series that she loves—The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries books are her top favorites. I’m thrilled that she is discovering the pleasure of reading more than ever before.

I haven’t read any current books for 9-year-olds, but it seems like Angelina’s favorites help kids to laugh at their not-so-perfect lives. Learning to laugh at yourself is a good life skill. I’m not sure I had that ability at 9. But I am remembering with joy some of the books I curled up with at that age…

- Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell Tatham
- Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart LovelaceTibbs
- Nancy Drew & the Dana Girls by Carolyn Keene
- Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary books have stood the test of time. They are still on reading lists. The Betsy-Tacy books were very cozy and Midwestern—truly nostalgia item these days. Nancy Drew is still around, but completely updated. I don’t think Trixie and the Dana Girls have crossed the generations, but I’ll always have a warm spot in my heart for girl heroes investigating clues in winding staircases!

Who warmed your heart when you were “summer reading?”