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.