WHAT OSSINING IS PLANNING TO READ THIS SUMMER:
We asked Ossining's readers of all ages what's at the top of their summer reading list. Their answers are as varied as the choices found in the library, from biographies of Harper Lee and Ava Gardner to novels by Zadie Smith and Philip Roth.
Who's reading what this summer for pleasure and self-discovery:
KATHY WILLIAMS
Fludd by Hilary Mantel "because a book catalog decribed it as "mysterious, dark, and spooky....intellectually dazzling and tremendously funny." The story takes place in a dismal English village which sounds like a perfect setting for such a book.
Snow by Ortham Pamuk "because it was recomended to me by a friend. She couldn't put it down and I need a good book to take on a five-hour plane ride this summer."
JOYCE SILVERSTEIN
Anderson Cooper's memoir, Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters and Survival.
"I enjoy stories about people reaching successful positions in life in spite of tragic childhoods and how their tragic past, influences their current choices."
Carl Hiassen's novel, Skinny Dip. "I saw him interviewed on 60 Minutes and loved his perspective about the environment and his view of the political landscape of Florida. I also like the fact that in his stories, the bad guys get what they deserve!"
VICTORIA CAFAREILLI and EMMA KATES-SHAW, middle school students, have a joint reading project:
Regarding the Bathrooms by Kate Klise
"Because we have read all the other books in the series and we really enjoyed all of them. They are not like any other books we have read because they are written in the form of letters and documents. It is interesting how you can understand a story or event just through documents.
They also note "We have read the books by Blue Balliet (Chasing Vermeer and The Wright) and we absolutely loved them!! We tattooed them with post-it notes and other markers. We are desperately waiting for more and have passed these on to all our friends."
LYDIA J. VOLES:
American Pastoral, by Philip Roth
"I chose it for my next book club discussion, primarily because I have not read Roth before and he had a few books (including this one) on the recent New York Times Book Review's list of the Best Works of Fiction of the Last 25 Years.
Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles J. Shields. "To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books and I don't know much about Harper Lee."
My Life in France by Julia Child. "I think she is a fascinating subject matter."
Revolutionary Characters by Gordon Wood. "I am a history buff, particularly about the Revolutionary War."
Ava Gardner by Lee Server. "A gift from my husband, this is my summer literary indulgence!
GEOFF HARTER, member Town Board of Ossining:
The Rapture "because I have read all the other books in the Left behind Series."
MADELINE JOHL, incoming 6th grader:
Dicey’s Song, by Cynthia Voight "because it is part of a series that I really like."
Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke "because my friend read it and liked it and it looked interesting when I read the back."
Caddie Woodlawn, by Carole Ryrie Brink "because my mom said it was a good book, and I liked it when I started it."
EMILY JOHL, incoming 3rd grader:
The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder "because they were my mom’s favorite books when she was little and I love reading with my mom!"
CATHERINE BORGIA, Madeline & Emily’s mom, and a member of the Ossining Village Board:
His Excellency, George Washington "because I am fascinated with the Revolutionary War period and the formation of the American Democracy."
The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Master of the Senate, by Robert Caro "because I never got around to reading the third volume of this biography and the first two volumes were so rich in detail and history."
Mornings on Horseback, by David McCullough "because it is the only McCullough biography I have not yet read and because I admire Theodore Roosevelt, especially the way he overcame early difficulties."
Grace Paley Collected Stories, "because she is a favorite of mine."
Saturday, by Ian McEwan "because he is such a powerful writer and because I believe fiction is the only medium that can help us understand recent history in a visceral way."
On Beauty by Zadie Smith, "because I loved her last novel, White Teeth."
The House of the Seven Gables "because I like to throw in a re-read from high school every so often."
KATE and JAMES MINZESHEIMER, incoming first graders:
Beach by Elisha Cooper "because we're going to the beach."
Shark and Lobster's Amazing Undersea Adventure by Viviane Schwarz and Joel Stewart "because we love adventures and silly stories."
Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She was Extinct by Mo Willems. "because we love dinosaurs and Mo Willems is one of our favorite authors."
BOB MINZESHEIMER, James & Kate's dad and president of the library's Board of Trustees:
All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren "because I haven't read it since I studied southern politics in college and I want to get ready for the new movie version coming out in September starring Sean Penn as Gov. Willie Stark, one of my favorite fictional politicians, based in part on Huey Long."
Falconer by John Cheever "because I've never read it and it was inspired in part by the writing classes Cheever taught at Sing Sing."
Cross Country by Robert Sullivan "because I love books that allow you to travel across the country and learn some history without ever leaving your armchair. Think of all the gasoline I'll save."