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Politics & Government

Summer Reading: What's On Connecticut Legislators' Nightstands

The history books and biographies might not surprise you, but can you guess who's reading "Harriet The Spy"?

Across the state the last day of school is often met with whoops of delight as kids bound through the door, throw their tattered backpacks on the floor. Of course buried under old art projects, crumpled quizzes, and homework assignments lies a crisp sheet with blank lines. Students are challenged to fill in as many of these blanks as possible with titles they read during summer vacation.

It’s all part of the 2011 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge!

The challenge was actually launched on May 6 several weeks before summer solstice, but who’s counting? During the ceremony State Librarian Kendall Wiggin stressed the importance of reading during summer.

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Schools compete based on student population and grade level. And the program identifies schools with the highest participation and the highest books-per-student count.

With that in mind, Capitol DisPatch decided to put the question to lawmakers across the Nutmeg State: What’s on your list? Here are the answers. Legislators appear in alphabetical order:

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State Rep. James Albis a Democrat representing East Haven in the 99th House District.

Favorite Book:  “I recently enjoyed ‘Team of Rivals’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I’d like to read more about Abraham Lincoln,” Albis said, adding he very much wants to borrow a book about Andrew Jackson from his brother.

State Sen. Toni Boucher a Republican representing Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton in the 26th Senate District.

Reading: “I’m marching steadily through books on American history from ‘1776’, ‘Founding Brothers,’ and ‘Founding Sisters.’”

Also reading: “500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late” and because she will soon become a grandmother Boucher said she’s re-reading “My 1st 300 Babies.” 

State Rep. Larry Cafero a Republican representing Norwalk in the 142nd House District.

Reading: “The Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. Cafer also downloaded the Sherlock Holmes series on to his iPad.

Already read: Harlan Corben’s “Caught”

State Rep. Vincent a Republican representing East New Haven, Branford, and Wallingford in the 86th House District.  

Read: “48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene

State Rep. Fred Camillo, a Republican representing Greenwich in the 151st House District.

Reading: “I am doing a lot of catching up on chores so not as much time to read as usual. I did read "Bullpen Diaries," by Charley Rosen. In addition to some legislative magazines I receive, I would like to read  ‘A World on Fire: Britain's Crucial Role in the American Civil War,’ by Amanda Foreman.”

State Rep. Paul Davis a Democrat representing Milford, West Haven and Orange in the 117th House District.

Favorite:  political novels. Davis read all of David Baldacci’s books, and Dan Brown’s books.

“I am looking forward to reading two to three books while on vacation.”

State Sen. Bob Duff, a Democrat representing Norwalk and Darien in the 25th Senate District

Reading: “For the summer, I am reading ‘Truman’ by David McCullough and ‘Tipping Point’ and ‘Blink’ both by Malcolm Gladwell. 

State Rep. John Frey a Republican representing Ridgefield in the 111th House District.

Reading: already one-third of the way through Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables.”

State Rep. Kim Fawcett a Democrat representing Fairfield and Westport in the 136th House District.

Finished: “Gods of Greenwich’

Personal reading challenge: Fawcett wants to reach one book on each president. She recently finished books about Martin van Buren and William Henry Harrison. “I’m relearning American history through the eyes of the presidents.”

John Hetherington a Republican representing New Canaan and Wilton in the 125th House District.

Reading: “Caleb’s Crossing” by Geraldine Brooks, and Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken.”

“I ought to read more books on the financial crisis so I will tackle ‘Inside Job’.

State Rep. Laura Hoydick a Republican representing Stratford in the 120th House District.

Just read:  “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. “It was phenomenal. It gives you such a different perspective. Unless you are in that demographic you really don’t understand,” Hoydick said. 

State Rep. Tony Hwang a Republican representing Fairfield and Trumbull in the 147th House District.

Hwang’s Summer 2011 Reading List: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.  “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. “Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1” by Mark Twain.

State Sen. John Kissel a Republican representing East Granby, Enfield, Granby, Somers, Suffield, Windsor and Windsor Locks in the 7th Senate District.

Reading: “I am going on vacation and looking forward to browsing through a Barnes and Nobles to see what looks interesting. I gravitate toward non-fiction these days,” adding he enjoys listening to novels in the car.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle Republican representing Norwalk and Wilton in the 143rd House District.

Favorite books: “Portrait of a Lady”  “Harriet the Spy” and “Bel-Ami” by Guy de Maupassant.

State Rep. Jason Perillo Republican representing Shelton in the 120th House District.

Reading: “a book on the history of Victorian architecture, I'm renovating my house,” Perillo said.

State Rep. Kim Rose a Democrat representing Milford in the 118th House District.

Reading: “Email...I'm reading email lol,” Rose said. Actually, Rose has four books packed for her trip to her campground.

State Rep. Linda Schofield a Democrat representing Simsbury in the 16th House District.

Reading: “Half Broke Horses” and “Glass Castle”

State Rep. John Shaban a Republican representing Easton, Redding, and Weston in the 135th House District.

Reading: “Mayflower’ by Nathaniel Philbrick and then Shaban plans to turn to a book on Valley Forge.

State Rep. Diane Urban a Democrat representing Stonington and North Stonington in the 43rd House District.

Reading ‘Free Fall: American Free Markets and the Sinking of the World Economy.” Urban is halfway through the book.

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