Summer Reading

Whether it’s strolling down the San Antonio River Walk, camping at Bastrop State Park, or exploring the Big Thicket, Texas offers summer fun for everyone. This year, as you’re enjoying the wide variety of getaways Texas has to offer, don’t forget one essential item – a good book. Books can take us back in time or provide a window into the future. They give us an understanding of the past and present, and give our lives perspective, pleasure or escape. Open the pages of a Texas history book and experience the drama as Colonel Travis and his troops battle Santa Anna at the Alamo; enjoy a bird’s eye view of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the last capital of the Republic of Texas; or revisit the devastating Galveston hurricane of 1900 that forever changed the shape of the Gulf Coast. Biographies can be inspiring and motivational. In Lazy B, the story of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, we are privy to her hardships on a drought-devastated western ranch during the Great Depression. Her personal story paints a vivid picture of the family values that have governed her life and continue to guide her as she makes life-altering decisions in the marble halls of the Supreme Court. For an escape from the everyday, consider a classic tale of fiction. In the children’s story, The Wizard of Oz, readers are transported with Dorothy out of rural Kansas and into the magical world of a talking scarecrow, a heartless tin man, and a glittering emerald city. The enchanting fable teaches lessons of perseverance, teamwork and courage. Books educate us, entertain us, enlighten us and even improve us. Child-rearing books can help parents find creative ways to tackle temper tantrums, teething and potty training. Books such as The Courthouses of Texas, Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening, and Best Bike Rides in Texas can enrich our lives and challenge us to try new things. Books are especially important for children. Studies have shown that reading and storytelling increase a child’s vocabulary and stimulate their imagination. Favorites like Clifford, The Big Red Dog, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Dr. Seuss books teach critical life lessons early on and provide a love of reading to last a lifetime. Older children can enjoy the practical lessons found in the adventures of Anne of Green Gables, the tales of a young orphan finding friends and facing growing pains. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, which has been made into blockbuster films, takes readers into a fantasy world of unforgettable characters and an epic battle between good and evil. A visit to your local library is one of the best things you can do this summer. Most libraries offer books for all ages as well as games and special reading hours for children. They are the perfect place to rediscover classics like Charlotte’s Web and The Great Gatsby, or find the latest best seller by John Grisham or Robert Caro. The Internet is also a great resource for reviewing books online, finding summer reading guides and purchasing books. Reading is the foundation for a lifetime of learning: it is never too early to get started – and never too late to revive one’s love of reading. As you enjoy the summer and the many sights the Lone Star state has to offer, don’t leave your roadmap to adventure behind. Before the long, hot days of summer are gone, take the time to lose yourself in a good book.