"TV. If kids are entertained by 2 letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six. Open you're child's imagination. Open a book." -Unknown

I have been an avid book reader since I was wee little. My fourth grade teacher came to a retiree luncheon we had at Roebuck last year. Amazingly, she recognized me. The first thing she said to me was, "Jessica Castro. You always had a book in your hand. I have always rememebered you as 'The Girl with a Book." That was a big compliment to me. I even took books into to church to read during the service and my parents would have to pry the book out of my hand during dinner. I didn't watch a whole lot of tv growing up. While most kids played outside, or they stayed inside to watch TV, I stayed inside to read a book. My mom once told me I needed to be outside more. And what you do you know, Dad found me in the tree, doing what else? Reading a book.

I constantly encourage my students to read (and bribe with M&Ms). They have come a long way and do love to read. I am usually telling students to put books away, which isn't really a bad complaint. But when I started teaching, I told myself that I needed to read more. I got out of the habit of reading while at Winthrop because we were constantly having to read for class so I had no down time to read except during breaks.

This summer I read a lot. Josh often complains that I read too much while I'm with him. I especially do this when I'm frustrated with him or upset about something. I can escape. I tell him it's better that I read instead of getting into a fight with him. When I'm finished reading a chapter or two in my book, I'm calmer and more reasonable. But this summer I got addicted to ordering books off Amazon or going to Barnes and Nobles. I had books coming in that I forgot I ordered. This week Christina, Jenn, and I went to Barnes and Nobles. I picked up 3 books I wanted but put them back. I kept reminding myself that I had at least 4 books at home to read. But I still might slip onto Amazon later and place a couple orders....

Here is a list of "noteable" books in my opinion I think you should check out. Some of them are just fun fiction stories that I enjoyed, and some are thought provoking and non-fiction books. Let me know what you think

Note Worthy Books I Read Over the Summer

• "3 Weeks with My Brother" by Nicholas Sparks. This book is about Nicholas Sparks traveling with his brother to exotic lands and famous landmarks. I enjoyed reading about the different places he visited (he did an excellent job of making sure you felt like you were there experiencing it) . He also writes about how this brought him and his brother together and gives you a lot of insight into his childhood. Some parts were "laugh out loud" and others brought tears to my eyes. He also talks about his Christinaity and struggle as an author. All and all--very good book.
• "Tall Tales and Wedding Veils" by Janet Graves A book that is similar to the movie "What Happens in Vegas." An average girl goes to vegas for a bachelorette party and gets drunk and marries (surprise surprise) a man from her local town that she knows, randomly. It was rather funny story about how they were forced to live together under a certain law and how they did not get along at all. Some what trashy but still a good read.
• "Something Borrowed", "Something Blue", and "Baby Proof" by Emily Giffin. This past summer I started reading "Something Borrowed" and quickly got swept up in her series of books. I lent the book to Valen who lent it to Lauren (who never reads but couldn't put these books down) and we were quickly swapping books left and right. We had our own Summer Book Club!! But "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue" has the same characters. It's about 2 best friends and growing up and apart. I cannot even begin to get into the plots of the books because it gets way complicated. But you cannot put these books down. I even had Lauren texting me at times saying, "Oh my gosh...I cannot believe she did that!!....Please tell me this isn't going to happen here..." In "Baby Proof" it's about a husband and wife who at first agree to not have children. Their views change and end up getting a divorce. But a sweet story about how they get back together. I haven't read her new one, Love the One You're With but Lo said it's a must read too.
• "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. Honestly, who hasn't read this book? Donald Miller discribes Christianity as like jazz music: few boundaries, few restrictions, free to the soul...I was some what confused by it because he questions Christianity and what it really means to some people. His experiences are questionable. And his approach to Christianity is "free style like." I honestly need to read this story again to grasp it some more...
• "Sweet Home Carolina" by T. Lynn Ocean An advertising/agency wealthy city girl is relocated to a small island off of SC to rejuvinate the town before it closes down. Some what difficult to get into (some language) but once it got going it was pretty funny and intriguing. I loved the racoon in the book. Must read to understand.
• "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" by James Patterson James Patterson normally writes mystery/murder novels. This book however is totally different from his others. Its about a young girl who gets pregnant and falls in love with a man. He quickly ends the relationship and moves back to Cape Cod. He leaves a diary that was written by his wife, Suzanne, to read to understand why he left. He switches back and forth between the past and present but does an excellent job at it. Very similar to Nicholas Sparks but an excellent read. Gut wrentchling love story for romantic types.
• "How I Stole Her Husband" by Liz Ireland A young lady takes a job as a nanny and the family she ends up working for is her high school rival girl friend and her exboyfriend. Feeling reignite between the old lovers and discovers what she really needs and wants. Some what predictable but an entertaining book that shows it's ok to "not be" where you want "to be." (If that makes sense)
• "Shopaholic" series by Sohpie Kinsella I read these books in the last year or two but hilarious stories about a woman who has no clue how to manage her life. Seriously, if you want a good laugh and want to make you feel better about yourself, please, this is your book to read
• "The Shack" by William P. Young My aunt brought me this book to read. I'm sure a lot of people have heard mixed reviews about this book. I wouldn't say I "enjoyed it" but it did open my eyes to the trinity of Christ. It broke "stereotypes" of what and who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are. Very deep book. I had to read a lot of the pages a few times to understand. Definitely a book to read again to gain better understanding.

Ok looking back I realized I've read some pretty random interesting books. Now, here is a list of books that I plan on finishing by the summer. I hope I can do it.

Books I Plan on Reading (or finishing)

• "One Fifth Avenue" by Candice Bushnell The same author of Sex and the City. About 4 or 5 ladies (soo many characters to keep up with) and all of them living in the same apt building. I'm currently working on this book.
• "Have a New Kid by Friday" by Dr. Kevin Leman My aunt gave me this book to read also. Dr. Leman plants out 5 simple days to help change your child's attitude, behavior, and character in 5 days. I'm very interested to read this book and test it out on my students...buahahaha
• "Educating Esme" by Esme Raji Cotell Rhonda gave me this book to read. She read it her first year teaching and said it was insanely funny. It's an account of a first year teacher in an inner city school and her challenges. I can't wait to read this book.
• "Notes from the Classroom" by Kay McSpadden A teacher from York, SC writes about her teaching experiences in a poor country school. She journals about her 30 years as an educator. I'm bound to learn something from her.
• "Case for Christ and Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel 2 books about apologetics. To some people that is way over their head but I love books and listening to speakers about this. We went to a college conference with my friend Amanda Nick's church and they had a session dedicated to this. I think I went to that session 2 or 3 times. I am definitely hitting those books soon. Been on my list for a while.
• "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson Pastor Steven pushed this book while I was at Elevation and even Alli read it. It's about how to thrive when opportunity knocks at your door and how every opportunity is not for you.
• "The Pact" by Jodi Picoult Two families teenage children start dating. The daughter is shot by her boyfriend and the son commits suicide (like Romeo and Juliet). It's gotten great reviews and I've heard nothing but great this about this author so I'm psyched about getting a jump ont his book.
• "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller Donald and his friend take off to discover deeper meaning of life. Reminds me of me, Alli, Grover, and Jenn at WU. We always planned this big trips (not to search for meaning) but just to go and experience it. We hardly ever made it but we can dream right? Since I had mixed feelings about "Blue Like Jazz" I am curious how Don approaches God, existence, and life. I've started it but haven't gotten to the meat of it.

Ok that's my list for now. Let me know what you think. Any suggestions?? Reviews?????