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 Linda Crew
is the author of numerous young adult books, including NEKOMAH CREEK CHRISTMAS, LONG TIME PASSING, FIRE ON THE WIND and, most recently, BRIDES OF EDEN.
BRIDES OF EDEN
based on historical events, reimagines the story of a teenage girl and her family in Corvallis, Oregon as they become enmeshed in the teachings of a self-proclaimed messiah.
Linda Crew's Summer Reading List
CADDIE WOODLAWN
by Carol Ryrie Brink
I don't re-read very many books, but will make an exception for this one, which came out and won the Newbery in 1935. I first read it (or had it read to me) in grade school, then re-read it a few years ago. I was impressed, then, with how well it still held up and what a wonderful character Caddie is. Now, since I'm writing a pioneer story myself, I want to look at it more analytically and remind myself once again what made it such a classic. Just for fun, I've bought an old copy that has the cover illustration I remember as a child.
SISTER NOON
by Karen Joy Fowler
I spotted the beautiful cover for this one in a New Yorker ad and was intrigued by the blurb, which mentioned creating a lost era, something I'm often trying to do in my own work. Then I remembered the author was a friend of a friend, who had been talking about reading it in manuscript form and liking it. The notion of getting to hear more about the inside story of a book's progress through the writing and publication convinced me to put it on my list.
THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER
by Amy Tan
I've enjoyed all of Amy Tan's books. I remember once sitting on the beach with a paperback of THE KITCHEN GOD'S WIFE feeling it was just so perfect, because a "beach book" for me isn't trashy, it's a good read. She seems to find that place where good writing meets a good, page-turning plot. An added incentive is that my oldest son is now studying in China, so anything about the culture will have added interest for me.
FINDING HATTIE
by Sally Warner
This one's had great reviews. It's set in New York in the 1880s and is based on a journal kept by the author's great-grandmother. Since using real life as a jump off point for fiction is something I like to do, I'm always interested to see how others have done it successfully.
SEABISCUIT: An American Legend
by Laura Hillenbrand
I have absolutely no interest in horse racing, but I bought this book after hearing a glowing review on NPR. The writing is supposed to be great, and I'm intrigued with the promise of writing so wonderful, it will FORCE me to be interested in something I would not otherwise care about. Also, the fact the Laura HIllenbrand wrote this while suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is so inspiring, something to remember when I find myself tempted to whine about whatever it is I imagine is getting in the way of my own progress at the keyboard!
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Summer Reading Lists
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