Sunday, June 12, 2005
Summer Reading
It's been hot and dry in Houston for the last two weeks. It made me think about good summer reading. There's nothing better than grabbing a seat by the pool or in the pool and reading a good book.
Last summer's smash hit for me was Bleachers by John Grisham. I'm not a big Grisham guy, although I'm probably related to him. I'll read most of his books over time, but Bleachers surprised me at the depth of the story. It was a charming and touching story about growing up and growing older. It paints a picture and lets the reader make their own judgments about the characters. Grisham's brevity and conservative word count allows the reader to picture the protagonists and the town in their own mind without the descriptions that Grisham often uses in his thrillers. It's a book that'll probably take two or three days to read and definitely worth the time.
In 2003, the book of the summer was Robert Parker's Back Story. I could the president of the Spenser fan club and while this book wasn't one of his top 5, I'd still rank it with any good summer read. Hawk, Susan, and the others return for a light-hearted romp through Boston as Spenser unravels another mystery. Another 2-3 day read with pages that turn quickly.
2002's book is my all-time favorite read: Mystic River. Dennis Lehane's marvelous novel traces the life of three childhood friends touched by tragedy. It was turned into a major motion picture and as good as the movie was, the book is even better. Take the time to read it. As someone who's read more books than the ordinary American, this book is the tops. The other two of my top-3 of all-time: Parker's Pale Kings and Princes and Bright Lights, Big City.
One last note on summer reading, reading should not stop because the calendar strikes Labor Day. Reading, for fun, learning, or leering should be a regular event, not something that only happens during a week's vacation.
Must go, Dancing with the Stars promos are distracting me. Manu is the next NBA superstar. The Finals will be his coming out party.
-30-
Last summer's smash hit for me was Bleachers by John Grisham. I'm not a big Grisham guy, although I'm probably related to him. I'll read most of his books over time, but Bleachers surprised me at the depth of the story. It was a charming and touching story about growing up and growing older. It paints a picture and lets the reader make their own judgments about the characters. Grisham's brevity and conservative word count allows the reader to picture the protagonists and the town in their own mind without the descriptions that Grisham often uses in his thrillers. It's a book that'll probably take two or three days to read and definitely worth the time.
In 2003, the book of the summer was Robert Parker's Back Story. I could the president of the Spenser fan club and while this book wasn't one of his top 5, I'd still rank it with any good summer read. Hawk, Susan, and the others return for a light-hearted romp through Boston as Spenser unravels another mystery. Another 2-3 day read with pages that turn quickly.
2002's book is my all-time favorite read: Mystic River. Dennis Lehane's marvelous novel traces the life of three childhood friends touched by tragedy. It was turned into a major motion picture and as good as the movie was, the book is even better. Take the time to read it. As someone who's read more books than the ordinary American, this book is the tops. The other two of my top-3 of all-time: Parker's Pale Kings and Princes and Bright Lights, Big City.
One last note on summer reading, reading should not stop because the calendar strikes Labor Day. Reading, for fun, learning, or leering should be a regular event, not something that only happens during a week's vacation.
Must go, Dancing with the Stars promos are distracting me. Manu is the next NBA superstar. The Finals will be his coming out party.
-30-
