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2015 Summer Reading

Posted in Books with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 2, 2015 by David McInerny

IMG_4803Here it is, June upon us. A month for planting the annuals, mourn the ending of school for the tots, shop for vacation apparel and, most importantly, gather the summer reading list. I’ve just completed mine, and while I always reserve the right to modify my choices based on my mood and evolving interest, it’s good to have a plan, however tentative. Here are my picks in no particular order (and please send me your favorite suggestions).

Picnic in Provence (2015), Elizabeth Bard: On the heels of her bestselling debut, Lunch in Paris, Elizabeth Bard describes a trip to the Provencal town of Cereste. Tales of expatriates falling in love with France just never seem to get old, and Bard again includes detailed recipes of the local dishes she encounters.

The Golden Lion of Granpere (1867), Anthony Trollope: Before television soap operas, there was Trollope. His books were often released chapter by chapter each week in the London newspapers, and Brits couldn’t wait for the weekend to read the latest in unrequited love, Victorian norms betrayed, and feuding families. This novel is set at a British inn and describes the lengths men will go to gain the love of the beautiful Marie.

The Third Option (2000), Vince Flynn: The fourth installment of Flynn’s pissed-off CIA operative, Mitch Rapp. Mitch is bone tired of terrorists, and he always decides to do something about it, official orders or not. This will be a quick two-day, 500 page read.

King John (2015), Stephen Church: Ever wonder what Shakespeare, Robin Hood, the Crusades, the Magna Carta and Richard the Lion-hearted all have in common? In what promises to be a readable history of 12th century England, Stephen Church centers his research on the much-maligned King John and his reign’s impact on historical characters of yore we all know so well, or think we do.

Death of a Dude (1969), Rex Stout: Nero Wolfe, Stout’s corpulent New York detective who solves mysteries without ever leaving his Manhattan brownstone, is forced to do just that, and finds himself in Montana without his gourmet cook and oversized recliner. Wolfe is roughing it, and it’s murder with humor.

The Perfect Meal (2013), John Baxter: Yes, more expatriates in love with France! Baxter survives an expensive but lackluster meal one evening in Paris, and decides to travel the country in search of the ingredients for a perfect French meal. Then he cooks it for his friends!

The Tapestry (2015), Nancy Bilyeau: Set in Henry VIII’s post-Catholic London, the historical novel finds Joanna, a former monastic novice, attempting to live out a quiet life weaving tapestries. When she finds that her best friend has the attention of Henry, who intends to make her the next in a long line of wives, Joanna enters the dangerous world of royal intrigue to try and save her friend.

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Summer Reading: 2013

Posted in Books with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2013 by David McInerny

IMG_2350I know many of us are still looking at snow outside our windows, but it’s not too early to think about collecting a stack of books for a vacation on the beach, nights in a hotel, or just a quiet, warm evening on the back deck. Here are a few suggestions for 2013 summertime reading that have fascinated me:

1. Degas In New Orleans – Christopher Benfey (1997)

Edgar Degas, an important early Impressionist painter, spent time in New Orleans with American cousins during the late Reconstruction period. Benfey writes a thoroughly interesting documentary of Degas’ time there with contemporary local luminaries, while the painter captures this period in American Louisiana history with some of his most famous work.

2. Battleborn – Claire Vaye Watkins (2012)

With unusual skill for such a young talent, Watkins conjures a host of restless souls in this series of short stories based in the early boom time of post-wild west Nevada. Her style is reminiscent of John Updike’s short story linguistic magic.

3. The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway (1926)

Parisian nightlife, Spanish bullfights, afternoon fly-fishing and romantic, expatriate angst – Papa hit his creative stride with this quasi-autobiographical novel about the search for meaning within post WWI’s “lost generation.”

4. Stars In Their Courses – Shelby Foote (1997)

Adapted from Foote’s epic three-volume history of the Civil War, this is the definitive description of the three day Battle of Gettysburg. Shelby Foote humanizes the event like no other, and this book makes timely reading for the 150th anniversary of the battle on July 1,2,3 of this year.

5. Neither Here Nor There – Bill Bryson (1992)

Recreating his collegiate European travels two decades later, Bryson weaves hilarious tales that have the reader laughing from Amsterdam to Rome. If you can’t afford a European vacation this summer, this book is the next best thing.

6. Too Many Cooks – Rex Stout (1938)

The detective Nero Wolfe, Stout’s corpulent creation, along with his witty assistant, Archie Goodwin, are at their finest uncovering a murderer amidst an august gathering of gourmands. Fair warning – the Nero Wolfe mysteries are a classic series that will hook you for years.

7. The Marseille Caper – Peter Mayle (2012)

Peter Mayle has entranced readers with his autobiographical books on life as an Englishman in Provence, France. His newest book is another of his comic mysteries en par with the humor of P.G. Wodehouse.

8. An Eye For An Eye – Anthony Trollope (1879)

Downton Abbey fans, Trollope was the original master of serialized British drama and suspense. Long before TV, magazine readers waited for the latest installment of happenings among the aristocracy, and the regular folk who served them. This book about tragic love is set in Ireland, and reaches its climax on the cliffs of Moher.

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