READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...ILLINOIS

Illinois...

A masterpiece of gothic literature...or so “they” say. A well known literary genius...or so “they” say. A big ole slice of nonsense...I say. I chose to read Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury for my Illinois choice, a part creepy carnival, part coming of age story about two teenage boys. I drudged through the entire novel baffled at why this is considered a classic. To say that I was disappointed in this novel and the author is an understatement. Sorry Bradbury fans out there, I just don’t get it. 

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...IDAHO

Idaho...

I think book reviews can be both a wonderful thing and a curse for readers. They are essentially opinions, and yes we are entitled to one, but are we really entitled to share these opinions? For most every book, you can find both positive and negative reviews, because just as every book is unique so are its readers. What right do we have to encourage or even discourage someone from reading a certain book? Should we let these opinions out in the world? All these thoughts are running through my head now, because after quick search on Goodreads the first few reviews I ran across for my Idaho choice were negative. I almost didn’t read it. I almost returned it to the library unread. I almost missed out on a wonderful imaginative read. Almost. 

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...HAWAII

Hawaii...

Being over 4,000 miles, and a slightly expensive trip, away from my home, Hawaii is not likely a place I will ever be able to visit. Sure I could scrimp and save for several years and maybe take the trip of a lifetime, but if I’m being completely honest with myself I’m not sure that it would be the place I would choose. From all that I’ve seen it might be one of the most beautiful places in the world, just not where I would choose as my once in a lifetime trip. So to say that I’m perfectly content seeing a place through the eyes of a character, in this instance, is no exaggeration. The book I chose not only took me there, but also made me a native, part of a whole new family, and a part of the island history. 

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...GEORGIA

Georgia...

Okay...really fast, don’t take time to think, now shout out the name of a novel set in Georgia. Did you shout out Gone With the Wind? If you did, then we have established the novel that I did not read. No sappy southern literature for me please. I’ve tried before, because it’s a “classic”, but got no further than a chapter or so. So no...was not going to happen.

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...FLORIDA

Florida...

When I think of novels set in Florida I picture cheesy beach reads. Books that cluttered my grandmother’s bedside table. Books filled with muscle bound bronzed men and string bikini clad women who really should eat something before a hurricane blows them away. Books with overly passionate romances but no real substance to the plot. Books that quite honestly make me nauseas. So when I began my search for my Florida read I was pleasantly surprised to find so many different options that I honestly had a little trouble choosing. 

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES....DELAWARE

Delaware...

Here’s a question for all parents out there. What would you do to help your child? Or maybe I should I ask, what wouldn’t you do? Most of us would do anything within our power to help our children. We love them, nurture them, and protect them. Our lives revolve around them, a piece of us that we raise up and present to the world in the hopes that they will surpass our own meager lives.

READING THROUGH THE UNITED STATES...CONNECTICUT

Connecticut...

Question...is it cheating if I chose to read a juvenile book? I think I’m going to go with no. The book was a short but enjoyable read, which I devoured on a Saturday morning while relaxing in the quiet of the morning and having my second cup of coffee. Both Quirky, Dork, and our dog Milo were still sound asleep. Honestly, it was perfect. The book I chose was The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare. It was the 1959  Newberry Medal winner, and a well deserved honor.