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Books of August 2025

 Books of August 2025

• 8/6/2025 - The Path to Power by Robert Caro,  (Audible, Narrated by Grover Gardner): This is the first volume in his biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, tracing Johnson’s rise from a poor Texas Hill Country childhood to his early political career and first run for the U.S. Senate. Caro portrays Johnson as both a master of political ambition and a man whose relentless drive often overshadowed ethical considerations.

• 8/9/2025 - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote: This recounts the 1959 murders of the Clutter family in rural Kansas and the subsequent investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, Perry Smith and Richard “Dick” Hickock. Blending journalism and novelistic detail, Capote explores the crime’s impact on the community while probing the complex psychology of the murderers and the moral weight of justice.

• 8/14/2025 - Burn Book by Kara Swisher: (Audible, Narrated by Kara Swisher) Kara Swisher’s memoir chronicles her three-decade journey through Silicon Valley as an incisive and unapologetic tech journalist—from wide-eyed fascination to fierce disillusionment with the industry's billionaire power brokers. It blends sharply personal anecdotes and scathing character portraits of figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk with a plea for accountability and thoughtful innovation amid the looming perils of unchecked tech growth. 

• 8/14/2025 - The Art of War by Sun Tzu:(Audible, Narrated by Aidan Gillen)  This ancient Chinese military treatise teaches strategy, deception, and adaptability as keys to victory in both war and life. Emphasizing knowledge of oneself and the enemy, it advocates careful planning, efficient use of resources, and the pursuit of triumph with minimal conflict.

To Be Read #4: The Lyrics by Paul McCartney

 

Paul McCartney has always been there. I was born in the mid-1960s, so I missed his initial rise to stardom as part of The Beatles. Even though The Beatles broke up, being a toddler at the time, I had no clue; they were still talked about, but they were momentarily fading from view. The first recollection Paul McCartney was hearing "Live and Let Die," which came to find out was part of a James Bond movie(another childhood discovery) of the same name. What was this group "Wings"? I'm sure I had heard other songs by him on the radio, but this was the first song I latched onto. I still have my 45 single. I even remember a TV special show, Paul and Wings singing it complete with an exploding piano. I was hooked. When I finally got to see him play this song at Fenway Park in Boston in 2022, I felt like I had completed a journey. 

The Lyrics by Paul McCartney takes a personal, in-depth look at over 160 songs written by with the help of Paul Muldoon as editor, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet. The songs are from 1956 to the current day and cover his career from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo work. I've also heard the 83-year-old Paul McCartney may be coming out with a new album; who knows, maybe this book will need another update. 

To Be Read #3: The Stand by Stephen King

 When I first read The Stand by Stephen King as a teen around 1980, it was already a hefty book at just over 800 pages long. At the time, it was easily the longest book I had read. What surpassed it? The uncut and revised version was published about 10 years later, which added 400+ pages. I, of course, ate that one up too. I would also devour the 47+ hour audiobook(Audible) version. 

Strange as it may seem, I felt something was missing from the later versions despite their added length. What changed in later versions was that King updated the story's setting timeline. The first hardcover version of the story's setting was 1980. In 1980, the first paperback issue was set in 1985. Then the uncut version was later updated to 1990. This is fine, but because I read the first one, I always felt I was missing or looking for connections to my first read. I honestly hadn't looked into the timeline differences between different editions. As I was writing this I just learned the settings changed between the original hardcover, set in 1980, and this 1st edition paperback was 1985. So now the hardcover is on my wishlist. 

This is like George Lucas revising and updating the later versions of the Star Wars trilogy and then hiding away or burying the earlier versions. The early version of The Stand, I believe, can only be found second-hand online or in a used bookstore 

I recently watched the newer mini-series of The Stand that was pretty interesting, and I thought it was well done. So this added to my desire to revisit my original book, which I found on Ebay. 

On the Shelf To Be Read #2: The Outermost House by Henry Beston

 

A recent video about the book The Outermost House by Henry Beston has inspired me to take the book off my shelf and put it on my TBR short list. It also shortly after my wife and I took a road trip on Cape Cod  to Provincetown(the very tip of Cape Cod) to visit a friend. 

The Outermost House by Henry Beston was first published in 1928. Even though it refers to a "year on the Great Beach of Cape Cod" the book is based on Henry's visits there over the course of two years. When Henry proposed to Elizabeth Coatsworth knew of his notes and no book manuscript she quipped, "No book, no married.". That apparently was enough to get him going. He finished the book and they were married. They did honeymoon there but rarely visited afterward. 

The Outermost House was located about 2 miles south of Nauset Coast Guard in Eastham, Massachusetts on the outer arm of Cape Cod facing the North Atlantic. It was a two room cottage designed by Beston and built by a carpenter named Harvey Moore (and crew). It was named "The Fo'Castle" for the four large windows faced the ocean. Because of storms and eroding dunes the cottage was moved in 1933 and 1944. The North Atlantic finally claimed it in February 1978 during the fierce Blizzard of 78. I lived on the south shore of Massachusetts on the inner side of Cape Cod Bay and remember the storm quite well. 

On the Shelf To Be Read #1: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Any book on my bookshelves that I haven't read should be part of my TBR (To-Be-Read) pile. I marvel at readers on social media showing off a pile of books they plan on reading this weekend, week, month, or year. I often don't pick the next one until I'm close to finishing a current one. I sometimes have an inclination for one or two. I'll browse them a bit to see if it sparks an interest to go further. I'm not committed, though.

I'm currently rereading the iconic In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. It's said to spark the modern-day true-crime genre. It's the story of the murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959  by two small-time criminals. The crime was a botched burglary inspired by misinformation about an alleged wall safe. What did the murderers walk away with? Less than $50 and small miscellaneous items. I can't remember when I first read this story. It was inspired, though, by a film I saw in school on a TV wheeled out on a cart with a suitcase-sized VCR (high-tech at the time) underneath, and we watched the film adaptation of In Cold Blood shot in black and white. It starred the late Robert Blake as one of the killers, who at the time starred on his own TV series(as a cop ironically) called Baretta. 

I must really want to read this since I bought 2. 

Recently, while scanning my own shelves, I discovered I had two copies of The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. This is the true-crime story set in the 1890s in Chicago that centers around the time of the World's Fair in 1893. It tells the story through the creator of the World's Fair, Daniel Burnham, and serial killer, H. H. Holmes. I guess this was a hint that I should read this one next. I'll probably donate one to my local "Friends of" library group. 

Not only are both books true crime, but I also discovered that they have been described as non-fiction novels, either novel-style, such as "In Cold Blood", or "novelistic" with "The Devil in the White City". I'll see how Larson compares to the standard Capote set. 

Books of July 2025

Books I've completed in July 2025.

• 7/4/2025 - The Declaration of Independence:  A small, thin, and handsomely hard-covered book containing the Declaration of Independence and short biographies of the signers of the document. 
• 7/6/2025 - Stoner by John Williams: Is about William Stoner, who is born to a farming family at the beginning of the 20th century. He attends college and discovers his love of literature, eventually becoming a teacher/professor at the same institution. The story explores how he lives life's tribulations with stoicism and resilience. At the end of his life, he finds solace in his love of books. 
• 7/28/2025 - The City and The Pillar  by Gore Vidal: The story follows a young athlete, Jim, who has a close sexual encounter with his friend Bob. They part ways as Bob graduates and moves on. Jim follows suit a year later. He is following Bob but is also exploring his own sexual identity and how he fits into the society of wartime (WW2) America. They do eventually meet up again, and Bob is married. The ending isn't the neat wrap-up you might expect. 

Reading summary July 2025

In honor of my country's birth this month, I took out my thin hardcover copy of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July and read it. I've often gone years, even decades, without giving this document much thought. In the current political climate, depending on one's political leaning, one may find little to celebrate or take pride in. Although I am also appalled at those leading our country at this time, I still think it is every American's right to celebrate. The government does not exclusively belong to one political party or another. It belongs to every American. As a former President once said, " There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America." Celebrate it always. 

Stoner by John Williams was I've seen recommended by many reading/book enthusiasts on social media. Part of it was the cover by the New York Book Review(NYBR) of the stoic middle-aged man staring at the ground, looking deep in thought. We follow the life of William Stoner, who was born about 1890-1, but the book essentially starts as he enters college, intending to learn more about farming to help, and I assume to take over the family farm he grew up on. One day he discovers his life's love of English literature and books. His life is forever changed as then stays at the college to teach and live his life there. He marries and then has a daughter. Has professional squabbles within his profession. Has an affair with a coworker. He does find satisfaction in his work, and he still loves his literature. He then passes away from cancer on the verge of retiring, clutching his book in solace. It is not a book of high drama or action, but this book kept me interested throughout. I'm writing more about this in a later post.

I find Gore Vidal an interesting writer and person. The City and the Pillar was one of his earliest novels, published in 1948. For some reason, I thought it was his first, but it was actually his third book. The book is notable as it looks at male homosexuality as it was during World War 2. The main protagonist is Jim who is a high school athlete and is close to his friend Bob. In a moment of passion, they have a sexual encounter in an emotional moment as they will soon be parting ways. Bob is graduating and moving away and, eventually join the Merchant Marines. Jim stays to finish school and then graduates, and moves out on his own. Joins the service(there is a war on), but he stays stateside. Meanwhile, he is coming to terms with his own sexuality. Bob is never far from his mind. After having a relationship with a movie star and writer he ends up back home. Coincidentally, Bob is also returning and has been successful in his career and is married. The book ends on an unfortunate note, and it doesn't end neatly. 

David McCullough on his first book: "The Johnstown Flood"

What a relevant book in light of recent tragic floods in Texas and New Mexico. I'll have to pull this one off my shelf and finally read it. The late David McCullough was a national treasure and a beautiful writer. 

David McCullough Reflects on a Life of Writing and Learning

Wise words of wisdom from the late iconic writer David McCullough. 

Happy 4th of July!

 

The Declaration of Independence with Short Biographies of the Signers by Benson John Lossing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a nice pocket sized hardcover copy of the the Declaration of Independence. It also includes short paragraph length biography's of the signers in the back. Although pocket sized I'd say it's suitable for a handy bookshelf reference as the cover is handsome and presentable and would get wrecked it someones pocket. Besides it'd feel as if you had a piece of thin plywood in your pocket, not very comfortable. Enjoy.

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Books of June 2025

 Books I've read in June. 

• 6/21/2025 - Who is Government? by Michael Lewis: This book explores the often overlooked but essential role of civil servants and government agencies in maintaining the functioning of American society. Through investigative reporting and vivid storytelling, Lewis reveals how political neglect and misunderstanding of these institutions can have profound and sometimes dangerous consequences.
• 6/21/2025 - Voices From Chernobyl by Sveltlana Alexievich: This is an oral history that weaves together the haunting testimonies of survivors, officials, and families affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Through their deeply personal stories, the book reveals the human cost of technological catastrophe and the enduring emotional and psychological scars it left behind.
• 6/24/2025 - American Prometheus: Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird: (Audible): This book traces J. Robert Oppenheimer’s rise from visionary physicist to celebrated leader of the Manhattan Project, illuminating how his intellect and charisma helped birth the atomic age. It then follows his postwar transformation into a conflicted public figure whose moral doubts and political clashes led to the infamous 1954 security-clearance hearing, revealing the tragic cost of scientific triumph.

Hello again. Here is a summary of my book completions this past month. Last month, I was completing a book every few days. This month it took until the third week to finish. 

Two of my books this month were inspired TikTok videos I'd seen of TV/Movie adaptations. One was inspired by clips from the 2019 HBO series Chernobyl, which told the story of the 1986 explosion at the nuclear power plant. Coincidentally, I was close by in Germany at the time while serving in the Army. The book is called Voices From Chernobyl by Sveltlana Alexievich. It is a collection of stories of those who experienced the disaster at the time. The series borrowed many of the stories from the book. 

Scenes from the epic "Oppenheimer" movie, which was a biopic of atomic bomber creator J. Robert Oppenheimer, were the other popular videos showing up on my TikTok feed regularly. The movie was based on the biography by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. I did enjoy listening to the book on Audible, which was narrated by Jeff Cummings. 

 The book "Who is Government?" was originally a series of articles published in the Washington Post. It was put together from well known author, Michael Lewis(The Fifth Risk),  that who and other writers tell the story of federal workers who make a difference. A very relevant book considering how many federal workers were let go this spring, despite the essential work that many of them do. I think they get unfair wrap being labeled as "waste and fraud" by those with a political agenda and are ignorant to what these people do. 

Books of May 2025

 Welcome to spring. 

Here in New England, we've begun to lose track of how many weekends in a row we've had rain or inclement weather. It's similar to my reading multiple books this month, which often include essays or short stories. It's not that I don't like essays or short stories, but I began to miss getting into a long story after a while. 

I also finished two books by Roxane Gay, Opinions and Hunger. I don't usually read multiple books from the same author so closely together. They were different enough to be interesting.  Opinions were essays, opinion pieces, and Hunger was a memoir. The former was also narrated by the author, who does an amazing job. I first heard her on a podcast several years ago and always enjoyed hearing her speak with wit, sensitivity, and unapologetic about what she has to say.  

Jill Lepore is another author I enjoy listening to narrate her books and essays. Her book The Deadline is the third of her books I've listened to(These Truths and This America being the others). Being a history professor, I love how she dives into the historical aspects of her essays. I enjoy listening to her narrate as her enthusiasm and love of history are obvious and infectious. 

Maus: A Survivor's Tale I, was my first plunge into a graphic novel. I had heard about this for many years and finally got into it and wasn't disappointed. A fascinating story of a Jewish son learning about his parents' survival of the concentration camps of World War 2, told to him by his father decades later. 

I'm now on my 3rd Jack Reacher novel, "Persuader" by Lee Child. This is the basis for 3rd(and latest) season of the Reacher series on Amazon Prime. If you think Reacher is brutal on the screen, just wait to you read about him in the book; they softened him up for the screen, is all I'll say. 

The book  A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn was one that I've heard about for many years, but only finally got around. Recently, it came up in my TikTok feed and wouldn't go away. This is apparently controversial to some because Zinn tells the story of the United States from the common people rather than famous Presidents, generals or major events. 

Books I finished in April 2025:

• 5/6/2025 - The Deadline: Essays - Jill Lepore - (Audible) - This is a collection of essays by Jill Lepore, an American History Professor at Harvard University and staff writer for the New Yorker Magazine. Jill explores American History, culture, and politics in her unique storytelling style. She also does a masterful job of narrating the audiobook. 
  
• 5/8/2025 - Maus: A Survivor's Tale I: My Father Bleeds History - Art Spiegelman - This award winning graphic novel is the story of the author's parent's, told to him by his father Vladek Speigelman, surviving NAZI death camps during World War 2. It's my first dive into a graphic novel, and it certainly lived up to the hype. 
• 5/17/2025 - Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticisms, and Minding Other People's Business - Roxane Gay - (Audible) - This is an interesting and compelling compilation of Roxane Gay's essays. She comments on social justice, gender politics, feminism, civil rights, and offers cultural critiques. I did enjoy her narration. 
  
• 5/18/2025 - Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body - Roxane Gay -This is a deeply personal and, at times, heart-wrenching memoir. As a preteen, she experiences a traumatic assault that transforms her life, body, and identity. Her testimony explores how she used food and her body to shield herself from the world. Her prose is vulnerable, simple, and precise. She is honest and doesn't make excuses; if she does, she doesn't apologize. 
• 5/23/2025 - Persuader: A Reacher Novel - Lee Child - This is the 7th installment of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series and is the basis of the 3rd season of Alan Richson's Reacher series on Amazon Prime. Reacher goes undercover and confronts an old nemesis whom he thought he had eliminated 10 years ago. The book features fast-paced action, unapologetic violence, and unrelenting to the finish. Trust me, you want Jack on your side.
• 5/27/2025 - The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury - (Audible) - This is a collection of science fiction short stories by the legendary Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451 & The Martian Chronicles). The stories are thought-provoking and imaginative, and often have a dark twist at the end. 
• 5/30/2025 - A People's History of the United States - Howard Zinn - The history of the United States told from the perspective of the ordinary people. We hear from indigenous people, women, laborers, the enslaved, and many more to tell the story of America. 

Books of April 2025

 Welcome to spring. 

Books I finished in April 2025:

• 4/11/2025 - Myth America: Historians Take On the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past by  Kevin M. Kruse (Audible) - Prominent historians debunk misconceptions about U.S. history by examining how political narratives have distorted the past. Immigration, race, economics, American exceptionalism, and more are examined.  
• 4/23/2025 - The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick - This alternative history classic takes place in the early 60's in a world that Japan and Germany actually won World War 2 and the United States is split between the victors with a neutral no-man's land in between. Also, there is a book within the book in which Germany and Japan lost the war. Well written, captivating, with a unique twist at the end. 
• 4/29/2025 - The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer and More Resilient by William B. Irvine - William B. Irvine presents a modern take on ancient Stoic philosophy, offering practical strategies to turn life’s setbacks into opportunities for personal growth. By treating obstacles as tests from the “Stoic gods,” Irvine encourages readers to build resilience, emotional control, and inner strength. I felt like I was missing something after reading this. Though it was a good intro to the Stoic philosophy, but felt a little thin on putting it into practice. 

Death of the “Great Gatsby House”

Books of March 2025

I'm starting to do a monthly review of books I've completed in a given month. These are not books I completed in that month, but just when I completed them. I just don't have the attention span or discipline. I set a yearly goal on Goodreads of 52 for the year. I don't always finish one a week, but it does average out during the year. 

 Books I finished in March 2025:

• 3/6/25 - Wounded Knee: Party Politics and the Road to an American Disaster by Heather Cox Richardson(Audible) - An examination of how partisan political struggles, government corruption in the late 19th century contributed to the tragic 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee.

 

• 3/7/25 - The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookshop by Evan Friss - A fascinting look at history American bookshop's from Benjamin Franklin to Jeff Bezos's Amazon Bookstores. 

 

• 3/16/25 - John Quincy Adams: A Man for the Whole People by Randall B. Woods -  A comprehensive biography of the 6th President of the United States that portrays Adams as a principled statesman dedicated to national unity, social justice, and moral governance. 

 

• 3/21/25 - Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow(Audible) - A chronicle of how in the late 1930s and early 1940s a homegrown fascist movement took root in the United States.

 

• 3/23/25 - Constant Reader: The New Yorker Columns 1927-28 by Dorothy Parker - A collection of the legendary Dorothy Parker's New Yorker book review columns. Her wit and biting humor is still incredible, I enjoyed this one a lot.  

 

• 3/28/25 - From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley & Kiley Keough - A touching memior of Lisa Marie Presley with help from her daughter Kiley Keough. 

 

• 3/28/25 - Dixie's Daughters: The United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Peservation of Confederate Culture by Karen L. Cox - An in depth chronicle of how the United Daughters of the Confederacy helped promote the "lost cause" narrative after the Civil War through erecting countless statues and promoting a favorable narrative throughout the Confederacy and the rest of the country.  

 See you next month. 

The Man in the High Castle - Philip K. Dick

 

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a history buff, I found the premise of an alternate history of World War 2 with a science fiction twist fascinating. I've only seen trailers or clips of the mini-series as I wanted to hold off until I read the book.

The story takes a while before the different parts start to make some cohesive sense. The characters each have their own story arc, and it does spark some interest as to how they connect in the story. Despite the seeming disconnectedness of the characters, I found the picture of the world that the author paints of this alternate history fascinating and kept my attention. It kept me wanting more and returning to the book with more enthusiasm as it went along. Even after finishing, I still felt I wanted to learn more about this world.

I did enjoy this one more than expected. I do see myself returning to this and diving deeper into this story.

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Paul Revere's Ride 250th Anniversary

 

Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book covers Paul Revere's famous midnight ride to warn of British troops headed to capture or destroy military supplies. We do discover who Paul Revere is and how he came to be in his position. The story also goes into detail what exactly happened during that fateful morning in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts in April 1775. Many myths(or at least clarification) on what exactly happened. Many may think it was just a small skirmish but it was much more than that. Many mistakes and gruesome events took place that morning that marked the beginning of the American Revolution. This book is a very good resource if your wanting to discover more about this turning point in American history.

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Currently Reading: A Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinn (Chapter 1)

 

I've heard about this book for many years, but just recently picked one up to read. I haven't been disappointed so far. I'm about halfway through it but I thought review the first chapter as it also assets the tone and object of the book. Unlike traditional history texts's Howard Zinn focus's less on the famous figures of United States history and more on the common people involved. I think Zinn encapsulates his goal here:

"My viewpoint, in telling the history of the United States, is different: that we must not accept the memory of the states as our own. Nations are not communities and never have been.The history of any country, presented as the history of a family, conceals fierce conflicts of interest (sometimes exploding, most often repressed) between conquerors and conquered, masters and slaves, capitalists and workers, dominators and the dominated in in race and sex. And in such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, as Albert Camus suggested, not to be on the side of the executioners. " (page 10)

It's like the old adage, the winners write the history books.  In modern-day lingo, this is considered to be a "woke" version of United States history. 

Chapter 1: Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress

Unsurprisingly, we start with Christopher Columbus and his famous voyage in 1492. Instead of painting a heroic explorer, Howard Zinn is far more critical of Columbus and those who followed him. Many histories of this moment skip forward soon after Columbus stepped off his boat, thinking he was in Asia, which is another story. We learn that Christopher Columbus wasn't the noble, altruistic hero that he is often made out to be. We soon see that his primary goal is gold and, is quite ruthless to the indigenous  Arawak in search for this treasure. He has no qualms about murder and enslavement in reaching his goals. The Arawak, who at first were generous and curious about their visitors, soon learned that their visitors were brutal and quite ruthless. 

Howard Zinn flips the traditional Eurocentric viewpoint that focuses on the oppressor and makes the oppressed invisible from a historical perspective. He sets the tone for the book to tell history from a "people's history" perspective of the indigenous people, slaves, the working class, and others who are not the usual focus of historical accounts. 

From Here to the Great Unknown:n A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley & Kiley Keough

 

From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Despite being close to the same age, I knew little of Lisa Marie Presley's personal life. The only thing I remember much of was her improbable marriage to the "King of Pop" Michael Jackson. The book, though, seems to carry little insight into this period. The book certainly fills in a lot of the spaces of my insight into her life.

Lisa Marie Presley was encouraged to start writing a memoir. She did in fits and starts. Her untimely death at the age of 54 cut this short. Her eldest daughter, Kiley Keough, undertook finishing the book and filled in many holes and added her context to her mother's story.

Lisa Marie's life was like many high-profile celebrity children who struggled to find their way, already being born famous and trying to live up to those high expectations. The book also highlights her struggles with addiction and the grief of her son Benjamen taking his own life in 2020, which she never recovered fully from, understandably.

The book is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the end with Lisa Marie's passing away in 2023. It's relatively short and easy to read. I recommend it if you're interested in Elvis Presley and his family.


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Constant Reader: The New Yorker Columns 1927–28 by Dorothy Parker

 

Constant Reader: The New Yorker Columns 1927–28 by Dorothy Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dorothy Parker is one of those writers you may hear about long before you read them. Her caustic wit is legendary. I remember coming across her many years ago on film portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle" which intrigued me at the time. I came across this book after reading E.B. White, another famous writer from that era who also wrote for the New Yorker magazine in another book(also a McNally Edition) "New York Sketches".

After perusing a copy from my local library I decided I need to possesses it. At times she seems annoyed she has to lower herself to review a book but then it becomes apparent she loves reading and writing about what she consumes. She's can either poke fun or unleash her wit upon some unsuspecting book or author. Even though the majority books or authors I had never heard of I looked forward to each new review. They are just long and short enough to enjoy with a morning coffee or tea, perhaps nursing a hangover like she may have been writing it. My only regret is that I've waited this long to enjoy her writing and company.

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Fahrenheit 451 - Thug Notes Summary and Analysis

A thoughtful, concise, and humorous look at a serious book, Fahrenheit 451 by the late Ray Bradbury. It's about a futuristic society where books are illegal. Firemen burn books instead of putting out fires. The main protagonist, a Fireman called Guy Montag, who becomes curious about the books he burns after meeting a 17-year-old girl named Clarisse in his neighborhood. His life is forever changed. 

The Bookshop with Evan Friss

Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingslover

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I became aware of this book because of reviews of another book (Hilbilly Elegy by JD Vance) that recommended this book as being a better representation of poverty and people in Appalachia. The book is written as a modern-day interpretation of the classic David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, which I haven't read, so I wouldn't be very good at making any comparisons to the original story.
Demon is born to a drug-addicted mother. His father had already died before his birth. He grew up in extreme poverty in a relatively rural area. He has friends close by but no close family. After going away for a bit, he comes home to find his Mom had remarried to an abusive(to him and his mother) man. That's the starting point of the book.

My interest in the book starts strong. It seems poor Demon can't catch a break in life. He has a tumultuous relationship with his new stepdad, Stoner. His Mom loses her battle with an overdose and he ends up getting put, by DSS, through a tobacco work farm and then a family where he's stuck in the laundry room and at 9 years old is expected pull his weight financially and is barely fed enough. The father pawns him off to a local storekeeper who has him picking through trash. The family, already dirt poor, ends up leaving, and he goes off to find his paternal grandmother with only a vague notion of where she lives. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, he's robbed by a truck stop addict/prostitute and is left even more penniless. Starving and desperate, he ends up finding his grandmother.

His grandmother, though, is hyper focused on helping women and has little interest in even helping her grandson and her elderly disabled brother, who is rather frail but is well read and has a sharper mind than may first appear. Despite her disdain for men, she helps find a place for Demon through her connections with a football coach elsewhere that will take her grandson in. Before leaving his frail great uncle, (Mr. Dick) leaves him with this thought, "Never be mean in anything. Never be false. Never be cruel. I can always be hopeful of you.". Demon seems to be really touched by these words and takes them to heart.

The football coach is a successful guy admired in his community, but we later find out he has a drinking problem. At first, Demon can't seem to believe his luck. He lives in the Coach's mansion with his room. We seem to rarely see the coach as his assistant, called "U-Haul" (There are a lot of nicknames in this book, so be warned, as it can be confusing) does a lot of the coach's errands and other tasks. He is treated well for a change and enjoys his relative freedom. He has a part-time job at a feed store. While there he meets Dori and falls in love with her.

Over time, the Coach realizes Demon has a football talent. Demon finds success and popularity on the football field. When things were looking good for him, he suffered a serious football injury, and everything seemed to change for the worse. He started on OxyContin, and then Dori introduced him to fentanyl (from her ill father's supply). As you can surmise, it goes downhill from there. I'll stop here, so I won't spoil anything.

I did the book, but I didn't fall in love with the story as many others have. I followed it pretty well up until Demon's injury. Then, it seemed to be a jumble of events and relationships that confused me. As I mentioned before, everyone seems to have a nickname, which was a chore to keep track of. It certainly painted a grim picture of extreme poverty in Appalachia and the drug issues that go along with it. I did enjoy it, but it isn't one I'd return to.

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Connie Martinson Talks With Gore Vidal about Lincoln (1988)

New York Sketches by E.B. White

 

New York Sketches by E.B. White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Most of my knowledge of E.B. White comes from the classic Charlotte Web book. Heard this mationed in a book podcast(the actual one I can't remember and it sounded interesting. I managed to borrow one from my local library. It came at a time when I was reading a couple of long books that were heavy in weight and subject matter, They were beginning to feel like a slog so this thin humble volume was appealing.

The book is snippets of White's time in New York City from the 1930s to 1950s. His writing is welcoming, light, and witty. Many are observations, poems, and a short story or two. It's not like a long book where chapters can go on forever. This you can dive in and out at easily without a heavy feeling of commitment. It was a joy to read.

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These book nooks are a paradise for readers and seaside lovers alike

You don't know what it's like till you lose a parent

I'd read many of David's books in which he talks of his parents. Although many are humorous and heartwarming. Others though are sad and bitter. Anyone who's lost a parent knows the grief or reaction can range from hitting you like a load of bricks to indifference and everything in between. My Dad passed away in 2012 so I could sometimes identify with some of the conflicted feelings of sadness but not quite the level of bitterness David had with his father. Though with my mother turning 81 this year I know her day will come she will leave us and I can understand David's and Amy's feelings when they lost their Mom. It's a wonderful and heartwarming segment. 

Gore Vidal interviewed by Connie Martinson on "Connie Martinson Talks Books

My Top 10 Books of 2024

This is my top ten reads(or listens) for 2024. They are not in any particular order. It was a year of mega-biographies. Three were by Neal Gabler, two were from a three-volume set on Ted Kennedy, and the third was Walt Disney. Another was the legendary Abraham Lincoln biography from the legendary Carl Sandburg. The first installment The McCartney Legacy about the legendary Beatle Paul McCartney was only the first installment of more volumes anticipated(the second of which was recently published). Another timely book was of President Jimmy Carter, The Outlier by Kai Bird, who recently passed away.

• Against The Wind by Neal Gabler: The third and final volume of the late Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy's biography by Neal Gabler. I couldn't get enough of this series. Along with the Senator's biography, it also told of American Liberalism's rise and fall from prominence. (Audible, Narrated by Joe Barrett)

• Killing Floor by Lee Child: The debut of the legendary Jack Reacher. Tom Cruise has played him in films and Alan Ritchson in a TV series streaming on Amazon Prime. If you think Reacher is ruthless and vicious on the screen you should note he's toned it down from the books.

• The McCartney Legacy by Allan Kozinn, Adrian Sinclair: This is the first volume that takes an in-depth look at legendary Sir Paul McCartney's first years after the break up of The Beatles in 1970. Starting in 1969 the beginning of the end of The Beatles to the end of 1973 when Paul was on the cusp of releasing Band on the Run which would give new success and validation of his new band Wings. The majority of books about Paul virtually end. This is a rare in-depth look at Paul's career after the Fab Four. Another book I couldn't get enough of. I'm looking forward to reading the second volume that was recently released.  

• The Wager by David Grann: I grew up in New England maritime lore so this fell right into that category of a classic true story of shipwrecked survivors in the mid-1700's resorting to drastic measures to survive in some of the most inhospitable conditions. David Grann is an amazing storyteller and I highly recommend this if you're a fan of maritime history. 

• The Outsider by Stephen King: My first new Stephen King book in about 20 years (I've reread some older classic SK books in recent years). I saw the cover of this in a bookstore and was hooked. This was definitely worse. After a boy is brutally murdered, the apparent suspect who is thought to be a sure thing, is also proved to be innocent only after he's murdered by a distraught sibling of the murdered boy. Holly Gibney(a popular recurring King character) discovers what is happening. 

• Abraham Lincoln(The Prairie Years and The War Years) by Carl Sandburg: Being a Civil War buff this had long been on my radar to read. It is long though beautifully written by the legendary Carl Sandburg. It is an epic in every sense. If you read just one Abraham Lincoln biography I highly recommend this. (Audible, Narrated by Arthur Morey) 

• Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay: I discovered Roxane Gay by listening to her on a podcast and found her fascinating. This is a collection of her essays in recent years. She has a knack for being insightful, sensitive, vulnerable, and yet confident in her attitude. She'll make you laugh at one moment and then heart-sick moments later. Her writing can range from pop culture observations to very personal subjects that can be heartbreaking. 

• Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson: Professor Heather Cox Richardson(Boston College) is most well-known for her popular daily newsletter called Letters From An American where she helps make sense of current events with historical insight. This book also does that in it she helps give historical context to current events in politics and other related events. She does it with such ease without a heavy-handed bias one way or another. If you need help making sense of today's current event with historical nuance she's the one. (Audible, Narrated by Heather Cox Richardson)

• The Giver by Lois Lowry: This is one of those books I've seen around that seemed interesting but not until now I've dived into it. It's a futuristic coming-of-age story that centers around 12-year-old boy named Jonah. In the community he lives in everything seems ideal. Everything from families to jobs is already chosen for you. Families are assigned their members. Children are assigned separately from their birth mothers to family units. At age 12 everyone is assigned to train in a job that's chosen for them. When Jonas reaches 12 he is assigned as The Reciever and must train with an elderly man called The Giver. It's then that Jonah's really finds out what he is missing. 

• Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris: Every once in a while I need a dose of David Sedaris. His essays and insights are self-depreciatingly funny and insightful. It can be about dealing with the COVID-19 shutdown or his father dying. If you've followed David you may find out that he had issues with his Dad over the years. Even though his Dad gave him a lot of grief over the years it seems like the old man was mellowing out as he aged but David wasn't adjusting as quickly as his Dad. (Audible Narrated by David Sedaris)

To see what else I read you can check out my list on Goodreads. 

Vidal VS Mailer — A Battle of Wit! | The Dick Cavett Show