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Picture yourself lounging on a beach in the company of a good book. Can't quite see it? If you're anything like me, you might cringe at the idea of
getting sand between the pages. I am a lover of books. I might even get a little strange with it from time to time, going so far as to sniff books, hug
them, run my fingers along their spines and embossed lettering. Is that weird?
I tend to be a neat reader, taking care not to break a book's spine. I never dog-ear pages, and I cringe when people take a poor, defenseless library book
into the bathroom. Um. Ew.
This past weekend, all that changed, except maybe the bathroom part...that still grosses me out. I was at a particularly pivotal part of a book, but it
was time for my aunt's pool party. All I wanted was to finish reading. Just a few more chapters! We've all been there, right? I mean, how can we be
expected to live and function in the real world when a life hangs in the balance? Never mind that it's a made up life. I want to see what happens!
I was dragged off anyway, heedless of my literary desperation. My poor book would have to wait. Or would it?
After the pool waves had settled a bit, most of the party guests lounged in chairs or on towels. One of them was actually—gasp—reading! I
snatched up my own precious book quicker than you can say "sunburn." But wait. I'd still need to be poolside for posterity's sake. What if there was
splash-age? I looked longingly at my bibliobaby.
Hot Mess: Summer in the City by Julie Kraut and Shallon Lester. I suppose a book with the word "mess" in the title wouldn't mind a few water
stains. It'd be worth it.
Three chapters later (and three more to go), I was called into the water for more socializing. Didn't these people understand I was happily reading about
someone else's social drama? I waved Hot Mess at them to show I was already enjoying myself, thank you very much.
"Oh, just bring it with you," my cousin hollered from the edge of the pool as she slathered sunscreen on her arms.
My mother hailed me from her corner of the pool. "Come on!"
How is it I still can't say no to my mother? I looked for my fellow reader, hoping for some last minute support. The traitor was floating on a raft, book
in hand. Okay, but no sloppy sunscreen to grease up the pages! I sat demurely on the steps of the pool, water lapping at my thighs, and delved into the
book's finale. Just as I hit the satisfying ending, it happened. I dipped Hot Mess into the pool! I'd been reading so intently, I didn't realize I was
leaning forward until it was too late. I—a neat reader—had just defiled the pages of a book. I shrieked and grabbed for a towel, but it was too
late...the water damage was done.
Was it worth it? Absolutely! I guarantee I enjoyed that pool party as much as the next person, even the lady who squealed every time she did a cannonball.
And Hot Mess? Well, let's just say it's a little worse for wear. But in a good way. It looks well-loved. No longer new. Ready to be read. So, in the spirit
of passionate readers everywhere, I decided to share the book with someone else. I left it in public for someone else to pick up and enjoy. I registered
it at Bookcrossing.com first, so maybe someday I'll find out if the next reader drips mustard on it or uses a blade of grass as a bookmark.
Don't let summer activities interrupt your valuable reading time. Grab that book, be sure no librarians are watching, then go ahead and let 'er dip! Just
one thing...use the sloppy sunscreen first. Ouch!
Here are my "Fun in the Sun" picks for this summer:
Young Adult:
Hot Mess: Summer in the City by Julie Kraut & Shallon Lester
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks
How to be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Middle Grade:
Grow by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Stanislawa Kodman
My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Picture Books:
Paco and the Giant Chile Plant by Keith Polette, illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas
Nonfiction:
Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares
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