I am asking my children —and my husband— to read at least ten of the books on their individualized list before August 18, 2008. I also want each of them to memorize two poems this summer and present them for the family. I will take each family member who does so out to eat to the restaurant of his choice, and I will also buy a book for each one who finishes the challenge. This list is for Engineer Husband. It’s my sneaky way of recommending books that I’d like for him to read and think he would enjoy.

Just in time for Father’s Day:

1. Romans from The Bible.

2. I Samuel from The Bible.

3. 1984 by George Orwell. Classic, futuristic fiction, in spite of the dated title, it’s also on Computer Guru Son’s Summer Reading List.

4. Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins. Because Engineer Husband needs some adventure in his life.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. He’s been planning to read this one since the kids became fanatics several years ago. I refuse to read the series out of pure perversity.

6. The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios.

7. E=Mc Squared by David Bodanis.

8. Ask Me Anything by J. Budziszewski. Professor Theophilus gives provocative answers to college students’ questions. The book is written by a professor of government and philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. It’s also on Computer Guru Son’s Summer Reading List.

9. The Periodic Table: Elements with Style by Adrian Dingle. For sixty-four of the elements, each has its own ‘home-page’ in this introduction to the periodic table. Also on Karate Kid’s Summer Reading List, perhaps the two of them should enjoy an element together every evening.

10. How Math Explains the World: A Guide to the Power of Numbers, from Car Repair to Modern Physics by James D. Stein. I chose this one not because I’ve read it or intend to do so, but because it sounds like something Engineer Husband would like.