Beach-goers of the meditative sort, and some who are not so
much thoughtful as seeking entertainment, eagerly shove paperbacks into their
gear this time of year. No doubt, they're taking advantage of free time to
catch up on intended or suggested reads. Some are reading to find good choices
for next fall's meetings. Regardless of reason, here is a knapsack full of fun.
First off, I've found a couple good writers based in
Nantucket. These island residents write—a lot—and specialize in the women's
fiction genre, which includes emotions and relationships immersed in a
character-rich plot. Nancy Thayer and Erin Hilderbrand are both popular, best-selling
authors. Their books entertain, and also give those unfamiliar with this
vacation spot a glimpse of island life and places (that may actually exist) to
visit.
Thayer recently released "The Guest Cottage," in
which two single parents accidentally co-rent a Nantucket house. One is a
widower and the other has been brutally dumped by her philandering husband. Amid
competing outside temptations, they mend their broken lives. It's well written,
and the children's confusion—as they deal with grief and separation—complements
the main theme. As the author of 23 novels and a variety of short stories
published in "Redbook" magazine, Thayer is no stranger to family
themes and the strong emotions associated with love and loss. It's quick,
enjoyable fare.
I read two of Hilderbrand's books: "Summerland"
and "The Matchmaker." Both were fun, but I particularly enjoyed the
latter, in which the action is juxtaposed with comments from characters whose
lives were changed by the protagonist's matchmaking. She senses a good match,
but is unable to trust her instincts when it comes to making her own romantic
choices. Hilderbrand was at a Worcester reading with Hank Phillippi Ryan during
May.
I don't know this writer, but you may want to check out
Cynthia Riggs' mysteries, set on Martha's Vineyard. She's an island native who
has written multiple mysteries about a 92-year-old amateur detective. That's
different! Her new books include "Murder on C-Dock" and "Poison
Ivy." There are, of course, many more authors who reside or summer on the Cape
and islands, so ask at local bookstores when you arrive. That's a good idea
regardless of where you find yourself this summer.
Next, a few authors sent in additional suggestions to the
summer reads we published last month. A good idea is welcome, so ...
"Here are three," said Chris Bohjalian (his newest
is 'Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands'). "I was riveted by Jill Alexander
Essbaum’s novel, 'Hausfrau,' a re-imagining of 'Anna Karenina' set in Zurich in
the present. It is poignant, exquisitely written, and (yes) incredibly hot.
(And I mean hot in a good way, not in a Paris Hilton sort of way.) I savored
Nick Hornby’s 'Funny Girl,' a novel set in the world of British TV in the
1960s. It helped me endure the fact I know longer have 'Mad Men' to feed my
1960s addiction. And I will never look at Scientology quite the same way again
after Lawrence Wright’s 'Going Clear,' his history of L. Ron Hubbard and the
organization he founded in the 1950s."
Daniel Bruce Brown of Westborough ("Roll Over Hitler,"
"The Fifth Season") says,
"I’d certainly recommend anything by Kurt Vonnegut. 'Bluebeard' and 'Galapagos' in particular."
Dave Ellis, president of the Brande Foundation and an
educator and leadership professional, is the author of "Becoming a Master
Student," "Falling Awake," "Creating Your Future" and
several other educational and leadership-oriented books. "I just read
three books in a row by the same author," he said. "I have never done
that. I was captivated by his style and the stories. His name is Glenn Cooper.
I read: 'The Keeper of the Library,'
'The Tenth Chamber,' and 'Library
of the Dead.' I also enjoyed 'The Circle' and 'Zeitoun' by Dave Eggers."
Thanks, guys.
A Quick note
Matthew Quick, formerly of Holden but now living in North
Carolina, has published a sixth novel. HarperCollins released his newest,
"Love May Fail," in mid-June. Quick is the author of "The Silver
Linings Playbook." Based on the description, intertwining a noble quest
with a cast of very strange characters, I'm expecting a pretty good read. (See
June 14 Telegram & Gazette for an interview with Quick.)
Gerritsen launches War
on Alzheimer's
Writer-physician Tess Gerritsen has started an effort to
further research on the illness which took her father's life. Her campaign is
at www.gofundme.com/WOA-2015. Since her fictional Rizzoli & Isles have made
it big on a television show of the same name, she's offering two winning
contributors at that site a chance to name characters in her next R&I
novel, being released in 2016. “Watching my father lose his identity as he
struggled with Alzheimer’s is the most devastating experience our family has
been through,” said Gerritsen, author of "The Mephisto Club,"
"Vanish," "The Bone Garden," "Gravity" and
multiple other novels.
Book groups
While this is primarily a column for adult readers, it's
worth mentioning that there are children's clubs that continue to pierce the
iPad shell and attract young readers. Renee Cormier Wheeler, children's
librarian at Leominster Public Library (and daughter of the late novelist
Robert Cormier) typically sees 10-12 children at the clubs for boys 8-12 and
one for girls 10-13. Upcoming meetings for July: girls, June 30, July 14 and
July 28; boys, July 14 and Aug. 18. Wheeler selects books from a range of
age-related literature. For details, contact rwheeler@cwmars.org or call
978-534-7522, ext. 4.
Eben Chesebrough of the Douglas Library group reports steady
numbers throughout the summer: "Last night, we had 11, a good number for
us." On July 14 at 6:30 p.m., the group
will discuss "Riding the Bus With my Sister" by Rachel Simon, the
updated story of a girl with Down Syndrome who rides the bus daily and asks her
sister to join her for a year.
The NOW Women's Issues Book Group has slated "Traveling
With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story" by Sue Monk Kidd ("The
Secret Life of Bees") and Ann Kidd Taylor, for its July 13 meeting. They
travel in Greece, Turkey and France—a journey of loss and return, delving into
the experiences behind Kidd's books.
The Friday Morning Book Club at Northborough Public Library
will discuss contemporary fiction, "The Wedding Letters" by Jason F.
Wright, at its July 10 meeting.
The Worcester Public Library book club, Pages and Palates,
will discuss singer-songwriter Patti Smith's "Just Kids" on
Wednesday, July 8, from 3 to 4 p.m. and again on Saturday, July 11, from 2:30
to 3:30. Smith's "M Train" won the National Book Award. (The library
is hosting reading-related free events daily at the main library and
branches through Aug. 14 for children, teens and adults.
Carl Hiaasen's "Skinny Dip" is the choice for
Crawford Library, Dudley, where members will meet July 2 at 6 p.m. to discuss
this comedic mystery. Up for August will be Wally Lamb's "We Are Water."
At Merrick Public Library, Brookfield, author Ed Londergan
will conduct a free creative writing workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday,
July 18. Anyone may attend. Banister Book Group meets at 7 p.m., July 28, to
discuss "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain.
In Gardner, members will discuss Sue Monk Kidd's "The
Invention of Wings" at 4:30 p.m., July 29.
The New Earth Book Club has switched focus to a new topic:
individuality in the complex world around us. They read "The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an
Individual in an Age of Distraction" by Matthew B. Crawford
and "All My Friends are
Superheroes" by Andrew Kaufman in June. Organizer
Celine Livingston says anyone interested in attending should email
livsbookjourney@gmail.com.
The group at Gale Free Library in Holden is reading
"Big Little Lies" by Liane Moriarty. A meeting is set for 10:30 a.m.,
July 7.
Thayer Memorial Library's evening book group meets July 28
to discuss Franz Kafka's "The Trial." The group rotates between fiction
and nonfiction. Contact Karen Silverthorn at ksilverthorn@cwmars.org.
Lisa Perry says Sterling's library book club will discuss
"We Were Liars" by
E. Lockhart on Thursday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Baker Roomy.
Grafton Public Library's "Not Just for Young
Adults" Book Group (18 and over) meets the second Monday of each month
with facilitator Heidi Fowler. July's selection is "V is for Villain"
by Peter Moore. The library has multiple groups, for fans of mystery,
inspirational books, and general literature. See www.graftonlibrary.org.
Send your ideas and
book group plans to ann.frantz@gmail.com. See www.readitandreeap.blogspot.com
for more book news.
