What are you Reading?

Earlier this month I ran into an acquaintance who knows I teach advanced students’ literature. He immediately asked me—as he often does—two questions: “Are you teaching any new books this year and if so, what?”

After I replied he followed with a query that really got me thinking: “What book should I read this month as we celebrate America 250?” I think it so energized me because people often ask me for recommendations, but seldom one so specific. If only I had a dollar for every time someone asks for a suggestion, I could buy more books…

As I thought about his question, I decided to give him a list not knowing when I would see him again and then I thought perhaps I should share it with others who might be looking for good books that make one think and feel. While I put it together for him, I came up with what I thought was a good title for it — “The Old Teacher’s List of Holiday Books”, but there was something about it I didn’t like. After some thought I revised the list to “The Long Time Educator’s Holiday Reading List”. That’s better; see what I did there?

If you feel like it, pick it up the second half of this year or feel free to wait and begin next year or completely ignore it as you see fit as obviously our tastes may not be the same. Well, without further ado, here it is:

1) New Year’s Day - Even if you aren’t officially into resolutions, you may like the idea of a new start to a new year. Perhaps a sort of “how to’ book would be good. I present Mitch Albom’s modern classic Tuesdays with Morrie; a tearjerker of a true story about a professor who changed Albom’s life. I find time to reread it every year as I do not want to forget its lessons. It is real and it is timeless.

2) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - May I suggest something a little out of the ordinary? I absolutely love the coming-of-age historical novel The Watson’s go to Birmingham. I am pretty sure Christopher Paul Curtis’ novel will speak to you of a time and place Dr. King would recognize. Oh, and by the way Curtis is a Coretta Scott King Award Winner.

3) Presidents Day - In addition to my English degree I have one in history and I love a good biography or two. Since the date for this holiday was chosen to be between the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln let’s pay homage to them. I would argue that the best single volume biographies for these two are Washington: A Life, the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Ron Chernow and Lincoln by Pulitzer Prize winning author David Herbert Donald.

4) Valentine’s Day - It has to be a love story, right? I’ve got one to suggest that you might not readily see as a love story because it is much more and yet I love the love story that is a poignant part of it. Try Willa Cather’s classic prairie novel O Pioneers! It may not be a traditional love story, but it is a masterpiece.

5) Easter - One of my favorite Easter related books is Lloyd C. Douglas’ 1942 The Robe. The film based on it is quite good as well.

6) Memorial Day - In 2024 my wife and I were blessed to travel to Normandy, France for the 80th Anniversary observances of D-Day. While visiting St. Mere-Eglise we heard the story of Madame Simone Renaud whose exploits are detailed in Jeff Stoffer’s Mother of Normandy: The Story of Simone Renaud. Read it, then watch the documentary to gain new appreciation for Memorial Day. And if circumstances ever permit, travel to Normandy — you will not regret it.

7) Juneteenth - Not observed by many, but nonetheless a federal holiday and one I would argue we should all understand does not provide any clear and obvious choices. After much thought let me suggest three disparate options. If you want to focus on the ‘why” of this holiday tackle On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed. If you want to dive deeper into the long-term effects of slavery there is no more powerful book than Edward Ball’s Slaves in the Family. And if you just want a unique piece of literature that might broaden your mind, try Langston Hughes’s collection of poetry The Weary Blues.

8) July 4th - Here is where I started my list and it is back to another great biography. John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and later our second president, wrote to his wife Abigail prophesying that the day would come to be celebrated with fireworks, so give David McCullough’s brilliant look at his life, John Adams, a try.

9) Labor Day - If we are going to celebrate labor and the value thereof, I want a book by someone who clearly loves his chosen vocation. It is clear in all his works that English veterinarian James Herriot loves what he does. Start with his first U.S. published book All Creatures Great and Small.

10) Halloween - Time for a confession; I really like Stephen King. My two favorites are Christine and It. If you like a good scare either will do.

11) Election Day  - This one is easy. Regardless of your political persuasion give John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage a read. Considering I have suggested it to a sitting member of Congress I think it will do for any American.

12) Veterans Day - For this day of observance you can’t go wrong with any book that honors veterans. I am a big fan of everything Stephen Ambrose has written, but in particular his numerous World War II books. For the broadest view I think I would try Citizen Soldiers.

13) Thanksgiving - My choice may seem just a bit strange here, but if one wants to be truly thankful, sometimes it helps to take our eyes off our own circumstances and consider the challenges of others. Perspective can be a very good thing and John Steinbeck’s fictional The Grapes of Wrath is so well researched and written that the Joad family and their struggles seem real.

14) Christmas - This is the easiest choice of all. Almost all of us have seen at least one film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and yet many have never read it. Do yourself a favor and experience the genius of Dickens.

So, there you have it. Hopefully, as I am sure it will for Patty, it will provoke some thought and perhaps some real pleasure for you as you explore.