Simple Pleasures

Last night, as I was going through some old books, I found one of my favorite books from middle school. About a teenage boy who's forced to go to summer camp, I Want to Go Home! was, and still is, one of the funniest young adult books I've ever read. I've always had an appreciation for subtle, dry humor. Not only that, but the book is incredibly well-written, considering the author, Gordon Korman, wrote it while still in high school. I've read this book so much, the front cover is torn off and the pages are all spotted with yellow. All my favorite books end up this way-- the more battered it is, the more I like it.

My other, all-time favorite young adult book is The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Clever and witty with a compelling mystery. It makes me want to go to the library, check out all my favorite books from my childhood and spend the day reading. Just think about it . . . a rainy day, wearing flannel pajamas, snuggled all warm in blankets with some hot chocolate and marshmallows . . . it doesn't get better than that.