Make the most of your summer downtime

I don’t know what you are doing this summer, but at some point, you will probably need to take a break from your break. You could be needing an escape from nagging family members, a release from your demanding summer course load or you may just need to unwind after a long day at work. Whatever the case may be, the indisputably best way to get away from all of the stress is with a good book. Also, the return trip to school in the fall isn’t so abrupt when you have been practicing the reading thing all summer. \nI will be staying at my grandparents’ house for the next three months, reading my way through the White County Public Library. My goal is to finish one book each week and write up a review. I know that sometimes it is much easier to just watch “The Godfather” trilogy for the millionth time to cure boredom than to pick up a book. Hopefully, by reading my piece each week, you can decide what books will most capture your interest. \nMany exciting books are coming out this summer, including the highly anticipated finale of the Harry Potter series. I will be trying to get my hands on that, and also reading books from the New York Times’ best-sellers list and any recommendations that you send my way. Feel free to make me your literary guinea pig. I tend to read classic novels and a lot of historical fiction, but I am open to any and all suggestions. My e-mail address is lalandis@indiana.edu.\nI get to pick the first book, though, and I am going to start out with the tale of Robin Hood and his merry men in green tights. “Ivanhoe” is the actual novel that the famous stories of our childhood were based on – and no, he is not really a fox. I bought the book over a year ago, and I have never had a chance, or the motivation, to start reading it. However, I am curious to see whether it is as interesting as the familiar fairy tale. I’ll let you know next week if it is worth your time.