Summer Reading Suggestions

Teachers have to read stacks of papers, articles, essays, 
and professional books during the school year, so why would they want to compile a summer reading list? 

Because reading and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly, 
french fries and catsup, and. . . well, you get the idea.

I have read some really good books recently, and would like to pass 
along some recommendations.

All can be found on Amazon.com and I have provided links to make them easy to find.


Defending Jacob by William Landay


A story that made me think about the unconditional love and the uncertainty we parents must face when our kids get into trouble and made me ask, "What if?" This book was powerful and emotional.






Calico Joe by John Grisham


A wonderful step back in time to the days when we wheeled TV's into our classrooms so that we could all watch the World Series. The names will be familiar even if you are not a baseball fan.

The King of Lies by John Hart

Dark family secrets rise to the surface when Work Pickens, a Southern lawyer finds his father murdered. I had no idea "who done it" until the very end, and I like reading novels that keep me in suspense.

I would also like to suggest two of my own novels as a pleasurable summer read. Both are only $2.99 in the Kindle Book Store. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle Reader and read on your smart phone, tablet, or your computer. Just click on the book covers below and take a look.

The Cowboy's Treasure by Charlene Tess

When a cowboy is stranded at the end of a cattle drive in Ogallala, Nebraska in 1868, he is out of work and out of luck until he meets a lovely young woman who is trying to keep her father's apple farm from the clutches of the town banker and to raise her four-year-old brother by herself. This is a carefully researched sweet historical romance (no bodice ripping)that I hope you will enjoy. It won first place in the Southwest Writers Conference Writing Contest a few years back.

The Greatest Gift by Charlene Tess 

Patricia Gillespie’s wonderful play day with her five-year-old granddaughter turns into a tragic nightmare when they are involved in a car accident. The accident is Patricia’s fault, and Patti Cake is dead. Patricia and her daughter, Alaina, have always been each other’s best friend. Can the love between a mother and her daughter survive such a tragedy?  

A huge thank you to my talented cousin, Chaz Bourland, for the cover designs. Visit his website for really creative artwork. 

Find a great book to read today, settle back on a lawn chair, and enjoy the summer!