(Posted 04/02/08)
I am always hunting for a good book to read, so I'm happy to share a list of books I've read over the past six months or so that I really enjoyed. I'd love any feedback, too, if you read one or if you have a title to share! (dcmonterrey@cbs.com)
“Salem Falls” by Jodi Picoult
Engrossing read about Jack St. Bride—a teacher whose life is turned upside-down by two young girls who accuse him of rape. Despite the fact that both girls later recant, Jack’s life is ruined in the court battle and media circus that follow.
“The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz
This book won much critical praise, as well as the National Book Critics Circle Award, after I’d read it. It was a tough book for me to get into at first because it is filled with Dominican slang. Knowing Spanish is a plus as well. Sometimes a chapter begins in a ‘voice’ that is not Oscar and sometimes it’s hard to determine who is speaking. But ultimately, it is a fascinating read. Oscar is a fat, lonely Dominican-American who enjoys writing science fiction. He splits time between his home in the US and his relatives in the Dominican Republic, where he later is almost killed by government thugs.
“Goodbye Jimmy Choo” by Annie Sanders
I pulled this randomly off a bookshelf at the library (St. Louis Central Public Library!) and really enjoyed it. A fun little romp about two English women who at first have little in common. One, a London transplant, the other a ‘lady of the manor.’ But eventually their lives begin to tatter and together they build an incredibly successful skin care business. Funny with plenty of British slang and sayings.
“Thirteen Moons” by Charles Frazier
The author of “Cold Mountain” writes this time about an orphan of the Civil War era, sold by his uncle, adopted by an Indian chief. His interesting life takes him all over the country in his roles as a colonel, U.S. senator and a man always trying to keep his “people” on their land by trading on his ability to meld into both white and Indian society.
“The Bone Garden” by Tess Garretson
Ms. Garretson is both a best-selling author and a physician. This is the dual tale of Rose, living in the 1800s, Julia living in present day and the West End Reaper who killed many people, including possibly Rose. Will Julia uncover the secrets of Rose whom she found buried in her garden?
“Born Standing Up” by Steve Martin
I loved this book. I should point out up front that I love and adore Steve Martin. In 4th grade, I memorized his “Let’s Get Small” comedy album and have cheered him on ever since as he went from a seemingly stupid comedian with an arrow on his head to a celebrated actor and writer. This book talks about that stand-up period that Martin admits he refused to think about for years. If you think his stand-up persona was an overnight success or a fluke, you will change your mind reading this very well-written memoir.
“Rhett Butler’s People” by Donald McCaig
In the literary world, there are many Margaret Mitchell snobs. Meaning, no one could ever continue the story of Rhett and Scarlett. I, however, grew up loving the movie and the book and dying for some kind of conclusion. This book is mostly about Rhett, one of the greatest characters ever in literature and cinema, in my humble opinion. It’s not perfect, but I truly enjoyable read that gives much insight into Rhett’s past, his relationship with Belle Watling and his sister, Rosemary. And yes, Scarlett.
“Then We Came To The End” by Joshua Ferris
A book about office life—particularly office life in an advertising/marketing agency—that is so dead-on, so hilariously real, I bought it for my best friend who has toiled in marketing for years. If you have ever worked in an office, you will recognize yourself or co-workers or bosses in this book. Very fun to read. Very real.
“Why Mermaids Sing” by C.S. Harris
A crime-solving drama set in Sherlock Holmes-period England, Sebastian St. Cyr is probably familiar to many, but this was my first stab at him. A very interesting case of cannibalism, mutiny and revenge as well as redemption.
“Someone Knows My Name” By Lawrence Hill
A beautiful book about Aminata Diallo—born a free Muslim in Africa but sold into slavery. Her voyage overseas in a slave ship is harrowing, her arrival on a South Carolina plantation is frightening. But she is smart, can read and makes friends quickly. She secretly marries one of the boys who came over on her ship, her child is taken away and sold. She escapes to Nova Scotia, where the British promised freedom. Not. Eventually, she becomes one of the first settlers of Sierra Leone, founded by freed slaves, and works in the abolitionist movement in London.
“A Free Life” by Ha Jin
I will never look at a strip mall Chinese restaurant the same way again after reading this book. This critically acclaimed novel about a Chinese-born author in Georgia who runs a restaurant with his wife, but dreams of writing poetry in English, shows why so many Chinese immigrants are successful here. He puts his dreams aside, mostly, in order to make money and raise his son to be the successful American.
“The Ghost” by Robert Harris
The person ‘writing’ this story is never identified by name. He’s a ghost writer hired to help finish the former British prime minister’s memoirs after the PM’s former aide who WAS writing it commits suicide. Or was it murder? The more our ghost writer tries to figure out the former prime minister, the more his suspicions are aroused. I won’t spoil it for those of you who plan to read it, but it’s pretty juicy.
“Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography” by David Michaelis
I was never much of a comic strip reader but grew up loving the Peanuts. So, of course, I also grew up loving Charles Schulz, the creator of Snoopy and the Gang. This book is the first time I ever bothered to delve into the life of a very complicated man who was alternately shy, competitive and had a bit of an ego. I had no idea how the storylines of the Peanuts characters mirrored what was going on in his own life while he was drawing them—including the break up of his first marriage, his unhappiness, falling in love with wife number two. Schulz refused to get psychological help for his depression and other mental maladies, worried that it would ruin the strip. He still is the most successful strip cartoonist ever.
“The Post Birthday World” by Lionel Shriver
Meet Irina and Lawrence—an illustrator and a policy wonk, Americans in London—and Jude and Ramsey—a children’s book author and a professional snooker player (snooker, which you’ll learn a lot about, is the British version of pool, only with more strategy). Getting together on Ramsey’s birthday has become somewhat of a habit, but Jude and Ramsey split up and Lawrence is out of town. So, one year, Irina and Ramsey go out alone and “hook up.” Or do they? Each chapter goes back and forth with how Irina’s life moves forward—resisting ‘the kiss’ or giving in. LOVED this book.
“The Man Who Talks To Dogs” by Melinda Roth
A book about St. Louis’ own Randy Grim, founder of Stray Rescue. It was written awhile ago, but I’d never read it. I love Randy and his dedication to helping the thousands of stray dogs running around St. Louis. If you love dogs and/or stories of how people can turn their obsessions into good, read it.
“Them” by Nathan McCall
The Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta is traditionally a black neighborhood. Martin Luther King, Junior’s church and former home are here. This story is about how the Old Fourth Ward is becoming gentrified as whites look for affordable places to live and black people and their traditions are getting pushed out. Far from one-sided, it shows how varied the attitudes of both whites and blacks are and how trouble starts when the two races cannot agree on how or if the neighborhood should change.
“Into the Wild” by John Krakauer
I saw the movie first, which I loved, and was hesitant to read the book. But the book is great. Why did Chris McCandless, an upper-middle class kid with a college education, give away all his money and spend a few years on the road living on his wits? What was with his obsession to live off the land in Alaska? And why did he die there all alone?
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