A Little Light Summer Reading

Across the state the last day of school is often met with whoops of delight as kids bound through the door, and throw their tattered backpacks on the floor. Of course buried under old art projects, crumpled quizzes, and homework assignments lies a crisp sheet with blank lines.  Students are challenged to fill in as many of these blanks as possible with titles they read during summer vacation.

It’s all part of the 2011 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge!

The challenge was actually launched on May 6, several weeks before summer solstice, but who's counting? During the ceremony unveiling the annual challenge, State Librarian Kendall Wiggin stressed the importance of reading during summer.

Schools compete based on student population and grade level. And the program identifies schools with the highest participation and the highest books-per-student count.

With that in mind, Capitol DisPatch decided to put the question to lawmakers across the Nutmeg State: What’s on your summer reading list? Here are the answers. 

State Rep. Diane Urban a Democrat representing Stonington and North Stonington in the 43rd House District.

Reading Free Fall: American Free Markets and the Sinking of the World Economy. Urban is half-way through the book.

State Rep. James Albis a Democrat representing East Haven in the 99th House District.

Favorite Book:  “I recently enjoyed Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I’d like to read more about Abraham Lincoln,” Albis said, adding he very much wants to borrow a book about Andrew Jackson from his brother.

State Sen. Toni Boucher a Republican representing Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton in the 26th Senate District.

Reading: “I’m marching steadily through books on American history from 1776, Founding Brothers, and Founding Sisters.”

Also reading: 500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late and because she will soon become a grandmother Boucher said she’s re-reading My 1st 300 Babies.

State Rep. Larry Cafero a Republican representing Norwalk in the 142nd House District.

Reading: The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Cafer also downloaded the Sherlock Holmes series on to his iPad.

Already read: Harlan Corben’s Caught

State Rep. Vincent a Republican representing East New Haven, Branford, and Wallingford in the 86th House District.  

Read: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

State Rep. Fred Camillo, a Republican representing Greenwich in the 151st House District.

Reading: “I am doing a lot of catching up on chores so not as much time to read as usual. I did read Bullpen Diaries, by Charley Rosen. In addition to some legislative magazines I receive, I would like to read  A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War, by Amanda Foreman.”

State Rep. Paul Davis a Democrat representing Milford, West Haven and Orange in the 117th House District.

Favorite: Political novels. Davis read all of David Baldacci’s books, and Dan Brown’s books.

“I am looking forward to reading two to three books while on vacation.”

State Sen. Bob Duff, a Democrat representing Norwalk and Darien in the 25th Senate District

Reading: “For the summer, I am reading Truman by David McCullough and Tipping Point and Blink both by Malcolm Gladwell. 

State Rep. John Frey a Republican representing Ridgefield in the 111th House District.

Reading: already one-third of the way through Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.

State Rep. Kim Fawcett a Democrat representing Fairfield and Westport in the 136th House District.

Finished: Gods of Greenwich

Personal reading challenge: Fawcett wants to reach one book on each president. She recently finished books about Martin van Buren and William Henry Harrison. “I’m relearning American history through the eyes of the presidents.”

John Hetherington a Republican representing New Canaan and Wilton in the 125th House District.

Reading: Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks, and Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken.

“I ought to read more books on the financial crisis so I will tackle Inside Job.

State Rep. Laura Hoydick a Republican representing Stratford in the 120th House District.

Just read:  The Help by Kathryn Stockett. “It was phenomenal. It gives you such a different perspective. Unless you are in that demographic you really don’t understand,” Hoydick said. 

State Rep. Tony Hwang a Republican representing Fairfield and Trumbull in the 147th House District.

Hwang’s Summer 2011 Reading List: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1 by Mark Twain.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle Republican representing Norwalk and Wilton in the 143rd House District.

Favorite books: Portrait of a Lady,  Harriett the Spy, and Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant.

State Rep. Jason Perillo Republican representing Shelton in the 120th House District.

Reading: “a book on the history of Victorian architecture, I'm renovating my house,” Perillo said.

State Rep. Kim Rose a Democrat representing Milford in the 118th House District.

Reading: “Email...I'm reading email lol,” Rose said. Actually Rose has 4 books packed for her trip to her campground.

State Rep. Linda Schofield a Democrat representing Simsbury in the 16th House District.

Reading: Half Broke Horses and Glass Castle

State Rep. John Shaban a Republican representing Easton, Redding, and Weston in the 135th House District.

Reading: Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick and then Shaban plans to turn to a book on Valley Forge.