Summer Reading Program 2006

I look forward to summer for many reasons. One reason is the library's summer reading program. The adult program requires you to read 9 of the 12 categories listed below. This encourages me to stretch from my regular reading choices. For instance, I would never pick out a western, a romance, or a collection of short stories without a bit of urging.
I have listed a book that I want to read from each category. Those choices may change without notice.

Adult Classic: Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Biography: The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan and Folding Paper Cranes: An Atomic Memoir by Leonard Bird
Fiction Title of Choice: Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean This book looks interesting.
Jr. Classic: The Ship That Flew by Hilda Lewis I read this in eigth grade. When I checked amazon.com for Jr. Classics this one showed up and I knew I wanted to reread it.
Mystery: The Husband by Dean Koontz What's there to say. I LOVE Koontz. I have requested this on Interlibrary Loan. When it comes in, I will be drop whatever else I might be reading. My daughter is reading Odd Thomas and Forever Odd and I'm so envious that she gets to read those for the first time.
Newberry Award: The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg. This is another category I may never have read without the summer reading program. I may have missed Crispin: Lead of Cross, Number the Stars, Bridge to Teribithia and Desperaeux.
Nonfiction: Leave Me Alone I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan
Romance: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon This year I typed in "romance" on amazon.com and found this one that's sounds very interesting. A mix of romance and science fiction.
SciFi/Fantasy: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Volume of Poetry: If I Could Speak In Silk by Judy Johns This book was recommended by mother. I've read a couple of the poems and they are good. I love the title.
Volume of Short Stories: Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett Last year I read Servants of the Map and was so impressed. Barrett manages to create vistas rather than views and lineages rather than one dimensional lifetimes. Her languge is poetic and her depth of scientific knowledge is stunning. Two years ago I read a collection of lost thrillers by Louisa May Alcott that were captivating. This is another category I wouldn't normally choose and yet it's been very rewarding reading these.
Western: Utah Blaine by Louis L'Amour I decided if I was indeed going to read a western I should try the king of western authors. This title grabbed me because I grew up in Utah. The book isn't about the state - Utah is the name of the main character.