I was a voracious reader, but always had a hard time getting through the summer reading list, simply because it was required. And they weren’t all good books.
When I became a teacher of literature, writing, and reading, I did not put out a summer reading list for several reasons. The main one being that I remembered my own summers and lists of books that I had not chosen and did not enjoy – then. A decade or two later, I had re-read most of them on my own time and either enjoyed them or just learned from them what I had missed.
I never had the summer reading list, but my grandson did. It was such a headache trying to get him to read the book. He liked to read, just not the required book.
I’m a compulsive reader (ever since I learned to read), but I’d likely read everything other than what was on a list given me by the school to go through on my holidays.They are my holidays dammit.
I remember when I was in junior high (note for today’s generation: that’s what we used to call middle school) and there was a summer reading contest. The standard was “most books read”. The gal who won it had piled up over 30, most of them variations on the theme “Bridget Goes to the Prom”. I had only 8: half a dozen science-fiction novels, Origin of Species, and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I guess I should’ve asked if I could include comic books.
“A classic is something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read.” —Mark Twain (1835-1910), nom de plume of Samuel L. Clemens, American writer and humorist
9 times out of 10 the required reading was just not good books. The only two I can recall liking were Bridge to Terabithia and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Most of the time they were dull nothing happens books or if something did happen it was “the dog dies at the end”.
sappha58 almost 2 years ago
Diggin’ the Far Side reference <3
Ignatz Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I was a voracious reader, but always had a hard time getting through the summer reading list, simply because it was required. And they weren’t all good books.
sandpiper almost 2 years ago
When I became a teacher of literature, writing, and reading, I did not put out a summer reading list for several reasons. The main one being that I remembered my own summers and lists of books that I had not chosen and did not enjoy – then. A decade or two later, I had re-read most of them on my own time and either enjoyed them or just learned from them what I had missed.
e.groves almost 2 years ago
I never had the summer reading list, but my grandson did. It was such a headache trying to get him to read the book. He liked to read, just not the required book.
PammWhittaker almost 2 years ago
I don’t recall ever having a summer reading list. I was a voracious reader on my own though :)
calliarcale almost 2 years ago
None of my schools ever gave me a summer reading list. Didn’t stop me reading voraciously, of course.
The Wolf In Your Midst almost 2 years ago
If you want to ruin reading for someone, force them to do it.
starfighter441 almost 2 years ago
I’m a compulsive reader (ever since I learned to read), but I’d likely read everything other than what was on a list given me by the school to go through on my holidays.They are my holidays dammit.
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 2 years ago
I remember when I was in junior high (note for today’s generation: that’s what we used to call middle school) and there was a summer reading contest. The standard was “most books read”. The gal who won it had piled up over 30, most of them variations on the theme “Bridget Goes to the Prom”. I had only 8: half a dozen science-fiction novels, Origin of Species, and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I guess I should’ve asked if I could include comic books.
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 2 years ago
“A classic is something that everybody wants to have read, and nobody wants to read.” —Mark Twain (1835-1910), nom de plume of Samuel L. Clemens, American writer and humorist
Darth Thespian almost 2 years ago
9 times out of 10 the required reading was just not good books. The only two I can recall liking were Bridge to Terabithia and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Most of the time they were dull nothing happens books or if something did happen it was “the dog dies at the end”.
LrdSlvrhnd almost 2 years ago
For a certain definition of “good” which may not be any student’s definition when it comes to assigned reading material.