Books for the Summertime

July is just a few days away and I still have not put any books behind me this summer.  I guess it’s hard with these long days, keeping the garden going, bbq’s and many projects under way, but I just put my order in on some used books that are quick reads for this summer’s entertainment.

1.) Big Fish by Daniel Wallace – I just watched Tim Burton’s film version the other night, and I truly love this story of father and son.  I can’t help but compare this tall-tale-character to my own Dad.  He has since passed, but he certainly lives on through the many life lessons, philosophies, folk tales & opinions that he shared with us kids.  Many of these teachings were done on camping trips, long family car rides, at his work bench or at the the dinner table.  I plan on this read being a tear jerker, but none the less aid in some reflection time of my family.

2.) Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll – again stemming off the aforementioned Tim Burton (do you see a reoccurring theme with me??) and getting ready for his next movie….I thought I would go back to an old childhood favorite.  I never read the original novels, but I think I played the Disney movie on VHS until I broke the tape.  I thought that these volumes would be a nice whimsical read for the summer.

3.) Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neil Gabler – having just traveled to Disneyland for the first time with my husband this past June, I was so curious on the production and history of the theme park….and not just that but what was involved in the makings of it’s creator?  I fully understand today’s view of Disney and it’s over sensitized marketing efforts to our children.  BUT, what was Disney in the beginning and how did this giant evolve to what it is today?  Amazon’s interview with the author captivated me and I hope the book lives up to my expectations.