A rainy Sunday in this neck of the Maine woods. Pulled boats from the water this morning, probably the end of the season. Foliage just starting to turn so it was a pretty and peaceful trip from the mooring to the ramp. Another season down. Now it’s time to settle in with some good books.
In the last week or so, I’ve gotten a couple of recommendations from readers so I’ll pass them along to you. Paul from East Hartford, Connecticut, has read BORDERLINE, the novel where McMorrow traces Benedict Arnold’s route up the Kennebec River to northwest Maine and Quebec (encountering some serious modern-day criminals along the way). Paul said that reminded him of Kenneth Roberts’ historical novels, which I actually read getting in the mood for BORDERLINE. He recommends LYDIA BAILEY, “notable for its intelligent treatment of racism and the history of the period, as well as the romantic bent of the protagonist.” I’ve added that one to my list.
Sherry from Jonesport, Maine, way Down East, read my post about John D. McDonald and suggested Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford series. “I’m working my way through the series and find myself hearing an echo of [JDM's hero] Travis McGee when Doc Ford talks,” Sherry wrote. “You might enjoy ‘em. There’s no geographical overlap with your books — Ford’s stomping grounds are around Sanibel Island.”
White also goes on the list. Just read one he wrote under the pseudonym Randy Striker, called GRAND CAYMAN SLAM.” Early work but fun.
So what else is on the bedside table? THE BOUNTY by Caroline Alexander, an interesting history of the events surrounding the world’s most famous mutiny. (I love history and spend a good chunk of the time in another century). I’m part way through GUNS, GERMS, AND STEEL, by Jared Diamond, about why some societies flourish and some fade away. Just finished a mystery set in Mongolia, THE ADVERSARY by Michael Walters. Pretty interesting characters in a very different setting … About to start THE UNQUIET by John Connelly, an Irishman who spends time in Maine and sets his crime novels here. Flipped through it and very much liked what I skimmed. … A book from the 1980s, DEADHEADS by Reginald Hill, a little English mystery to add to the mix. … Also, THE LAY OF THE LAND by Richard Ford, a gift from my son Charlie. And last but not least, a biography of Joan of Arc, THE VIRGIN WARRIOR by Larissa Taylor, a Colby College historian. Amazing story, even if we all know the ending.
So what are you reading? Reading somebody you really like? Post your recommendations here and spread the word.
PS If you haven’t read Colleen Coyne’s guest post below, you should. If you’re interested in writing and what drives us to put pen to paper.
In PORT CITY SHAKEDOWN, the first Brandon Blake novel, Brandon gets a full dose of bad guys. A brawl in a funeral home introduces him to Joel Fuller, a sociopathic hustler. Fuller is fresh out of jail and determined to take Brandon out—after Fuller and his sidekick Kelvin shake him down.
Rocky isn’t a tough guy. He’s a skinny little kid with crooked glasses, and he shouldn’t be homeless in Portland, Maine. When McMorrow and Roxanne pluck him from under the stomping feet of a gang of street kids, Rocky latches onto McMorrow–and drags him into a world of murder, both old and new. Why is McMorrow protecting Rocky? The cops want to know. Why is Rocky on the run? McMorrow wants to know. Why does death follow in Rocky’s wake? Jack and Roxanne need to find out before they’re added to the list. 
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“So what are you reading?”
Interestingly, I’ve had several conversations on what constitutes reading. When I hold a book in my hands and read it, I voice the words on the page in my head. As best as I can tell, I process the words visually into a spoken word then comprehend the spoken words meaning and move to the second one. This allows me to read at just about a conversational pace. I do the same things when typing (which I also do at about a conversational pace).. It seems to me that I have an auditorily focused brain.
For the last several years, the number of books I’ve read has diminished. However, I’ve started listening to a ton of audiobooks. Or, as I say, reading them. I see no difference in how I process words having a narrator read them to me vs holding a book in my hands myself. Frequently, the narrator’s voice acting will be superior to my own and give much more interesting and colorful dialects to the author’s words. I think that is a “win” as the kids say.
So, I told you all of that to come to this point. When I say “I read these audiobooks”, I really have read them – regardless of any opinions on the matter. There are advantages and disadvantages to this format – if you fall asleep reading, your book keeps on going. and I’ve rarely had a hard back crash on me.. tho my iPod is probably in need of a refresh. but at the same time, I can read while working and no one is the wiser. it is also substantially more acceptable in the office to have headphones on vs having a book in your face. Lastly, I carry around a dozen or so books.. So – what I’ve read in the last few months
The Tomb – F. Paul Wilson (current)
The Road – Cormac McCarthy (on hold)
The Lost Symbol – Dan Brown
The Areas of my Expertise – Jon Hodgman
The Prosecution for George W Bush for Murder – Vincent Bugliosi
The Man in the High Castle – Phillip K Dick
Soon I will be Invincible – Austin Grossman
Of course, reading anything with a 9 month old is much harder than it looks.
I had a particularly literary summer. At one point (convalescing from foot surgery) I read seven books in two weeks. This doesn’t reflect the quality of the books, just my tendency to do nothing but read when I’m into a book. And I mean that I carry the book with me everywhere, although I may have to rethink reading at red lights in view of our newest “driving distracted” law
I purchased all of these books at Rebooks in Waterville, it is my favorite treasure trove. I heartily recommend them all.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller Okay, this book was a brilliant, funny, and fascinating memoir of life in Revolutionary Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) I loved this book…please read it
The Doctor’s Wife by Elizabeth Brundage Chilling, chilling book
Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Chen It gets a little sloggy at times, but this woman was imprisoned for six years during the Cultural Revolution, and her story is mind-boggling.
Hi Andrea: Seven books in two weeks sounds like it would almost make the surgery worth it. I read Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight a couple of years ago. It was fascinating, and a different perspective (white landowner in Zim) from books I’d read about South Africa during apartheid. I’ve visited Cape Town and regions to the west and it is a fascinating and powerful place.
Gerry
Hey Jamie: Good to hear from you! Audio books may be the only way you can read with a nine-month old. Wish I’d thought of that way back when. Interesting list, too. And I agree that auditory “reading” is the same thing, just as engrossing, as anyone who’s missed an exit while listening to a book knows. I may be posting audio chapters on the website. Think that would be worthwhile for “readers”?
My best to the family.
Gerry
Hey, Gerry! Thanks for responding. I am reading a book I picked up in Northampton, it’s actually non-fiction again. (could this be a trend?) It’s not brand new, it’s Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of A Man Who Rescued A Million Yiddish Books. It’s a long title but a really funny and interesting book. I’m sure you’re too busy proofing your latest book to pick up anything to read right now, but you might enjoy adding it to your list. Mary just returned a book I’d lent to Charlie, I hope he read it. So many books, so little time
I’m thinking of getting a kindle, but I’m not sure how I’d feel about it. I love reading so much, will it change the experience for me? I do think it would be easier to read in bed, in the dark, etc…and I like the idea of it being so lightweight, but still!!! Do you have one and use it?