Two to Recommend

I read two books this summer that have stayed with me and that I highly recommend. Richard Ford's CANADA is a stunning book about deceit, betrayal, and the stories we tell ourselves. Dell Parsons, the fifteen-year old narrator, begins this way:

First, I'll tell you about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders that happened later.

Pretty good start and as a writer, it's fascinating to see how much telling rather than showing occurs in this book and how well it works. It's also interesting how much of a YA feel this books has as the line between YA and Adult fiction continues to blur. Check out CANADA.

BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS is a nonfiction account of life in Annawadi, the Mumbai slum next to the airport. Katherine Boo, a staff writer for the New Yorker, spent three years living there and provides a rich portrait of people going about the daily business of survival. The writing is beautiful and the story compelling. This is a book that will change how you see the world.

What a joy to read all of your posts.  Such creative people you are!!

This summer I travelled with my sister to Utah to see my son.  We had a great time catching up, climbing rocks, and learning more about this beautiful state!

I also spent a great deal of time reading books that I want to teach in my college courses - The Giver, The Children We Remember, Number the Stars, So Far From the Sea... I fit in a few outside books, like Gone Girl and a few Reeve Lindburgh books. And I'm celebrating the release of I Want to Help!  

 

We are also the proud parents of a new to us 3 to 5 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix who was dumped in our neighborhood.  She has captured our hearts, in spite of her habit of eating my shoes!!