Exercise your brain this summer!

It’s summer, but that doesn’t mean your brain has to take a vacation, too. Summer is the perfect time to take a break and escape . . . into a good book.

(Yes, we want you to read. Books, mind you. Over your summer vacation! But a book isn’t necessarily homework, even if it is on your school’s summer reading list or that pesky list of books your teachers say you should have read before you go to college.)

So, go to the library, the bookstore, or grab your Kindle or iPad and read something worthwhile this summer. You’ll need something to do while you’re lounging around the pool, right?

 For people who only read the Spark Notes:
Yes, we know you’re out there. (Hint: so do your teachers!) These are some really good books you might have missed out on simply because reading it was an assignment:
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It’s a classic for a reason and not a hard read. The subject matter—racial injustice and loss of innocence—is tough, though.
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. These classic tales are best read as a set, and you’ve got all summer. You can read them in order of publication or in chronological order, beginning with The Magician’s Nephew.


 For history buffs: 
So, you like history. We think that’s cool. Here are a few suggestions for you:
• Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. This is a biography of Meriwether Lewis and depends heavily on his and William Clark’s journals from their journey through the west.
• The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough. If you’re interested in history or impossible engineering projects, you’ll find this book an amazing example of American courage, corruption, and, ultimately, success.

 For those who’ve only seen the movie: 
Most good books have been made into movies, but a lot of the nuances and character development gets left out when a book is condensed into a 2-hour movie. Usually, the book really is better. Be the judge and read some of these suggestions:
• Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. You may have seen or at least heard of the HBO series of the same name. Read the whole story of E Company and the important role they played in World War II.
• Emma by Jane Austen. Maybe you’ve seen the movie (with Gwyneth Paltrow) of the same name or the movie Clueless. Both are adaptations of this classic Austen tale of a young, spoiled matchmaker who overestimates her abilities.
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman. The movie is a favorite of the entire ec staff. The book is even quirkier.
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The 1939 movie starring Judy Garland is a classic, but it does differ from the book a little. Watch for subtle differences, like the color of Dorothy’s magic shoes.

 For fans of Christian fiction: 
We realize that there are many Christian writers who write good books. Why not give them a chance this summer? Books to consider include:
• Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. While the book is set in California during the Gold Rush, it is heavily influenced by the story of Hosea found in the Old Testament.
• When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin. A Nicholas Sparks kind of tale, this book tells the story of Annie and Reese and the intersection of their lives one fateful day.