Eclectic Books Catalog

If you are looking for books to give as Christmas gifts or even to stock you own shelves, check out the Eclectic Books catalog. Every book in this catalog is a clean read and look great under the Christmas tree. You'll find everything: YA, romance, suspense, non-fiction, and more. You'll find Double Deceit and Finding Rose there, too. So take a few minutes to check it out and give the gift of words this Christmas.

Stretching

My kids take after me and are all avid readers. Like most young people they have a favorite genre and most of the books they read come from that genre. I suppose many adults are the same way. My son enjoys fantasy and some distopian and devours books so quickly I can hardly keep up with him. He tells me quite regularly that other books just don't interest him. I can relate. I read everything but fantasy.

Just before school ended in June, the English teacher asked my son what he planned on reading this summer. He listed a few books - all in his regular genre - and his teacher was impressed with the amount of reading he thought he could do. Then she told him that he should stretch his mind and reach something that he wouldn't normally pick up. She challenged my son to read a few classics and let her know what he thought.

When he told me about the teacher's challenge, I just shook my head. This is the first summer he has worked full-time and I couldn't imagine him taking what little spare time he has and using it for something that doesn't interest him.

I was wrong. This summer he read Ben Hur and he just finished Great Expectations. He can't wait to report back to the teacher about his summer reading. He just started reading A Tale of Two Cities and was wondering what to read after he finished it. I told him he should read some Shakespeare, quite sure he would laugh at the idea. Tonight, I noticed my volume of Shakespeare was on the couch. Somehow this teacher inspired him to try something out of his comfort zone and, even though he probably won't admit it, I think he is actually enjoying the experience. At the very least, he is inspiring me. There are several classics I've been meaning to read and I think it is about time I start on them.

What books have you read lately that have stretched your mind?

LDSWBR Countdown to Summer Contest

 

I completely forgot to post about the Countdown to Summer on the LDS Women's Book Review Blog, but there is still time for you to go there and enter the contest. Everyday a different book is reviewed and the book's author is interviewed. Double Deceit was featured here.

Leave a comment on any of the Countdown to Summer posts to be entered to win a prize. There are fourteen books being given away (including a copy of Double Deceit), and also a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Just go and leave a comment before midnight, June 24th for a chance to win. Good luck and happy reading!