Moving plus holiday travel equaled lots of time on the road (and in the air). Seems like the perfect time to catch up on reading, but it really depends upon the type of book. I enjoy books that fully immerse me into their skillfully woven, complex tapestry, but not when I can’t give them my undivided attention.
Instead, for the road, I prefer short, easy reads that provide a fun distraction. Stories I can start and stop at leisure without grumbling at each interruption. :-)
Here are two fun and casual, scifi reads from my recent travels.
Old School for Young, Chapter Book Readers
That Game From Outer Space by Stephen Manes (illustrated by Tony Auth)
From the back cover:
Oscar Noodleman is just an average kid. Nothing exciting ever happens to him. Then one day a giant video game appears mysteriously in Pete’s Pizza Palace. Suddenly, Oscar’s life isn’t boring anymore!
Fun Factor: Playing catch – A familiar game with a couple of curve balls.
What I liked: An easy science fiction read for beginning chapter book readers that offers an opportunity for a deeper discussion about kindness and empathy.
That Game From Outer Space on Amazon
New and Different for Young Adult Readers
Hearts Ablaze by Janeen Ippolito
*This book was re-released in 2017 under the title My Alien Boyfriend.
From the back cover:
Anthony Salamandras is the perfect boyfriend: attractive, wealthy, caring, and fine with hanging out in the library while Kelley Vanders-Froggett studies for her senior year of college. Sure, she’s never seen his family or visited his home, but details like that can be sorted out after graduation.
Then he pops the question –and sweeps Kelley off to another planet. Now she’s dealing with alien future in-laws, creepy lizards, and a fiery transformation. Not to mention a fiancé who has no clue that this is not how Earth girls celebrate an engagement.
Kelley’s in over her head. But one thing’s for sure: Anthony’s gonna find out just what this daughter of a vacuum cleaner repairman is made of.
Fun Factor: Picnic in the park – A relaxing, sunny day that makes you smile.
What I liked: Pairing of the daughter of vacuum cleaner repairman with a fiery alien was an interesting choice. It’s a big part of why I choose to pick up this book – I enjoy quirky twists. This novella reminded me of the movie “Warm Bodies”.
K.A. Cummins 