Summer Reading 2.0

I used to dread getting my summer list and seeing not one book that looked remotely interesting. And not only that, but students had to choose at least three so that was three out of a list of about thirty. And none of them looked good, or I had read them on my own and a) hated it anyway or b) enjoyed it-great, but that's not the assignment....
This summer I wanted to make my own reading list with a few close friends so that we could read what our good friends are reading, many of which we were already dying to read, like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Trainspotting. With a summer Book Swap we can not only get great reading for all the trips that we're all taking, we can all talk about the concepts of the books since we're all familiar with them. Plus, we're reading what we like, so we're more likely to finish the novel with a smile or notes or quotes scribbled allover post-its.
The Book Swap is most effective with three people, although it can be done with more. Three people gather and bring the books requested by their friends as well as books they'll think they like. After they all trade, they go on their merry way. After trips/summer camp/visiting grandma you gather back together for coffee and a book talk and then trade again, taking whichever books you haven't borrowed (if there are any.) Then repeat with the new cycle of books. The more books, the merrier! This can take time and is a casual thing, so don't pick War and Peace unless...well...unless you really want to.