The Brainstorm Plus: Brainstorm 179: An Ode to the Super Readers of the Class of 2019

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Brainstorm 179: An Ode to the Super Readers of the Class of 2019

Today is the last day of classes for the Seniors at our school. I started a tradition a few years ago of sharing books that were loved by some of the super readers of the class. Most of these students read a book a day in middle school. (Yes, you read that right. 300-500 page books regularly gobbled down in one day.) Their consumption rate slowed as they got older and the amount of homework they had went up in high school, but even then they still usually had at least one book checked out at any given time (or 10), they binge read during school breaks, and when a new book in a beloved series came out they reverted to their middle school ways and showed that they could still devour a book in one afternoon/evening when they chose to do so. If you were to sit down and chat books with any of these soon-to-be-graduates, here are some of the books they might recommend you read. Click on the title of the book for reviews and summaries.

Super Reader #1 is a very eclectic reader. He likes to read mostly fantasy and scifi, but also will try renowned classics and award winners in any genre.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive, #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Super Reader #2 has read a majority of our middle grade fantasy collection, a sizable chunk of our YA/Adult fantasy collection, and an admirable chunk of the YA/Adult scifi collection. He really likes series, appreciates some goofy humor, and had ongoing competitions with Student #1 about which of them would get new books in certain series or by certain authors (especially Brandon Sanderson) read first.

The Fires of Calderon (The Balance Keepers, #1) by Lindsay Cummings

The Emerald Enigma (Space Drifters, #1) by Paul Regnier

The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Super Reader #3 is an avid Harry Potter fan, was introduced to Brandon Sanderson by an older brother, and loves contemporary romance and historical romance, especially Lauraine Snelling’s Blessing, North Dakota series.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling

The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson

A Measure of Mercy (Home to Blessing, #1) by Lauraine Snelling

Super Reader #4 is another fantasy fan. She loves fairy tale rewrites and animal fantasy, but will also read little snippets out of just about any genre. She’s a huge Redwall fan, and Jessica Day George fan.

Redwall (Redwall, #1) by Brian Jacques

Tuesdays at the Castle (Castle Glower, #1) by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball (The Princesses of Westfalin trilogy, #1) by Jessica Day George

Super Reader #5 also is a fantasy lover. He is an avid Percy Jackson fan, and would regularly start asking me when I would start the holds list for Riordan’s newest book several months in advance. He’s gotten two of his younger siblings also hooked on Percy Jackson, and he’s still pretty excited about a new Riordan book or books that are fantasy based on a mythology.