Summer Reading

Choosing a good book for summer reading is quite different than choosing one for winter. In the winter, you want a book that you can really get involved in; one that allows you to sit for hours, getting lost in the story line, making the dark hours between dinner and bedtime fly by. Perhaps the best winter reading occurs in front of a fire place, but anywhere heated and protected from the Minnesota windchills is usually a relief after digging your car out of the snow or driving all the way home in a cold car, despite the heat being turned up full-blast. In this context, the book one is looking for is complex, with surprising twists and nuances that can only be followed with no distractions.

Good summer reading, on the other hand, is lighter by nature. As much of the day is spent outdoors taking advantage of the warm weather, one wants a book that you can jump in and out of easily. If there is an opportunity to grill, chat with a neighbor on the porch, or take a walk, one does not want to be torn away at an important juncture in the storyline. Garrison Keillor's, "We Are Still Married" is perfect for this type of summer reading. It is a collection of short stories and poems that highlights just why Keillor is known for his storytelling. Now granted, I may be a big fan of his and a little biased, but his humorous and wonder-filled perspective on life, particularly life in Minnesota, makes this a perfect book for porch or cabin reading. These are the days when you have just spent the afternoon in the wilderness or with family- and Keillor's book processes such days in a way that few of us could put into words, but all of us have felt. I highly recommend this book for a cabin, a trip up north, or just a good read on the front porch.

Have a wonderful day!
Kirsten