Summer Reading Challenge 2009 and a Long Sappy Note About Sisters

I'm sure you've seen several of these already but this is the one I found yesterday and given the simple fact that this dear Blogger has Southern in her title, I'm in.  Introducing Susan, of A Southern Daydreamer, who has challenged us to make a list of books we'd like to read this summer and check back in in September.  

My goal is to ready "literature" but I am willing to expand my list to include some "dessert" reads as well.  How big of me.  I've also stumbled upon a great source of Southern Authors: Authors Round the South.

My List:

1. Delta Wedding, Eudora Welty

2. Fixer Upper, Mary Kay Andrews (book signing/reception July 18 in Marietta, Georgia)

3. At least one of the Miss Julia books, by Ann B. Ross (fell in love with the writer after reading Miss Julia throws a Wedding.  Miss Julia reminds me so much of my grandmother).

4. The Color of Light, Karen White (cheating, as I'm currently reading)

5. The Help, Kathryn Stockett

6. The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, Tilar J. Mazzeo

7.  Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists, Mosbsters, and Critics Influence the Wines We Drink, Tyler Colman

8. Milk Teeth: A Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog, Robbie Pfeufer Kahn

9. From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava, Jay Kopelman

10. Diamonds, Gold, and War: The British, the Boers, and the Making of South Africa, Martin Meredith

Speaking of reading, the movie based on one of my all-time favorite books comes out today.

As I've mentioned, I have a "little" sister, whom I dearly love.  While we've certainly had our moments over the years, I cannot imagine my life without her.  Years ago, there was an event that caused me to experience the potential of losing her-- a time I try not to think about except in remembering how precious she is to me.  To me, the loss of a sister must be one of the most challenging trials to face.  Both my sister and I thought of this again when my mother lost her dear sister to breast cancer nearly 7 years ago.

Many books involving the relationship between sisters have been written; I've had trouble with some (I couldn't finish In Her Shoes because I just couldn't get my head around selfish sister love) and loved others.  My Sister's Keeper obviously falls into the latter category.  In addition to exploring the relationship between sisters, the novel delves into so many other issues- the ethics of creating children, familial relationships during times of turmoil, a mother's love, dogs, and celebrating each day we have been given. Like many Jodi Picoult, there is a twist at the end. Since My Sister's Keeper, I've ready many Picoult novels, but none have touched me as deeply as this one.

I face going to see the movie with some trepidation as I've heard the ending is different.  I will not give away the ending to the book, except to say that it is powerful.  Dear Mr. Southern and I were on a plane to attend a wedding, when I finished the book.  Tears were streaming down my face- uncontrollably- so much so that the flight attendant asked if I was OK.  Fortunately we were in the first row so it was a quick trip to the lavatory to try to get myself together.  Not that I am encouraging crying, but I highly recommend reading this book.

So here's to a summer of reading and holding close the ones we love!

-Emmie