<p>Hi all! I'm planning to tuck a few books away in my DD's luggage when she leaves for school this fall.
We're a family of readers and I love to find and give great reads. So far I've found a trivia book specific to D's school, and The Naked Roommate: and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (a used-like new from amazon bargain!) and both look like winners. I've also ordered Women Who Run since D is big on the sport.
Have you come across any promising titles for kids leaving home for the first time? I'm imagining D in her dorm room after a couple of weeks, probably a little homesick and still adjusting. I want to send some words of wit, comfort, advice. Found any good ones?</p>
<p>Hmm - I can’t imagine having time to read anything fall of freshman year. But the summer before seemed to stretch out forever - maybe better to give as a graduation gift?</p>
<p>Perhaps you’re right. I do want to send along at least a couple, though. D finds comfort in books the way others do with food, t.v., gaming. . .</p>
<p>Ahhh - then definitely send books!</p>
<p>But not too many. My D is a reader too and brought maybe 15 pleasure reading books for freshman year. They sat all year on her shelf until she came home for spring break. She brought them all home saying that they were “taunting” her from their place on the bookshelf. She will be reading them this summer.</p>
<p>Good advice, but I don’t intend to send along a reading list of books or any “self help” type tomes. I’m just looking for fun, insightful, pick em up when you want to read a few pages before bed books. I’m considering a book of Mark twain quotes, as well. </p>
<p>ANY recommendations?</p>
<p>How about a tmy photo booklete of family and home? </p>
<p>Not books… but crossword puzzles (less bulky). My mother collected them from her paper (with answers taped on back). It os good to have one now and then for a distraction, especially if going somewhere where you need to stand in line etc. </p>
<p>Or maybe stash Zits comic strips cut from the paper? (This would work better for boys. I find myself laughing at them every day).</p>
<p>Shel Silverstein’s poems, Dr. Seuss – “The Places You’ll Go” among his others, John Wooden’s Quotes and /or Memoirs</p>
<p>great & timely suggestion, Momof4. And I had considered the Dr. Seuss!</p>
<p>Bought my D “Selma” by Jutta Bauer</p>
<p>“Were You Raised by Wolves?: Clues to the Mysteries of Adulthood” [Hardcover]
Christie Mellor (Author)</p>
<p>I gave this book to a few graduates. It’s kindof a “How to” book for living life as an adult. It’s humorous and helpful and covers all sorts of etiquette for all kinds of situations.</p>
<p>I loved having a Bartlett’s quotations when I was in college, but in these days of internet access I don’t know if it makes sense. I gave my older son his own set of our favorite sci fi series. On his own he’s bought a fair number of comic books/graphic novels. A nice collection of poetry is a possibility.</p>
<p>Great! I just ordered both Selma and Were You Raised by Wolves and I can’t wait to read both, myself. Wonderful suggestions!</p>
<p>I recommend Dr Seuss Oh The Places You Will Go. May not make for great literature, but it makes a great pick me up on days when the college experience is overwhelming & not living up to the hype.</p>
<p>Try “The RAT: The Real-World Apptitude Test: Preparing Yourself for Leaving Home” by Homer Moyer. It a great book, set out like an SAT test, that answers real practical questions like what temperature water to use for what clothes and other stuff that they didn’t get in the AP classes. Latin is great, but what happens if the car doesn’t start? It started out as a little book the author put together for each of his four kids as they headed off to college. It got amended as they called home with questions and it grew from there. I give it to all my favorite HS grads.</p>
<p>Try HOW TO BECOME A STRAIGHT A STUDENT and HOW TO WIN AT COLLEGE by Cal Newport. Short, easy reads that pack a punch.</p>
<p>The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - wonderful life lessons in this one…</p>
<p>Not exactly what you are looking for, but will be far more useful:
[The</a> Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B.White](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-50th-Anniversary/dp/0205632645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276532993&sr=8-1]The”>http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-50th-Anniversary/dp/0205632645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276532993&sr=8-1)</p>
<p>I just read The Gift of Fear. I will be passing it on to DD. It’s not a fun book, but it has some information no college student should be without.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> A Man, a Can, a Microwave: 50 Tasty Meals You Can Nuke in No Time (Man, a Can… Series) (9781579548926): David Joachim, The Editors of Men’s Health: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Man-Can-Microwave-Tasty-Meals/dp/157954892X]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Man-Can-Microwave-Tasty-Meals/dp/157954892X)</p>
<p>girls can use this as well…</p>