Most Fridays, I use this space to share the great writing I’ve been reading during the past week.
But now that school’s out and I’ve been somewhere warm and sunny all week, it finally feels like summer. So I’m devoting this week’s recommended reading to my summer reading list.
Most of these books have been piled up on my nightstand for months waiting for me to crack them open – I can’t wait.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
– This one I already finished. Publishers Weekly calls Barack Obama’s autobiography, written after he gained some acclaim as the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review, “a poignant, probing memoir of an unusual life.” If during the 2008 presidential election you ever wondered what exactly Obama’s job as a Chicago community organizer was, or why he didn’t have more to say about race in America, or what really happened to his absent African father, all the answers are here.
The Death and Life of American Journalism: The Media Revolution that will Begin the World Again – Robert McChesney and John Nichols’ discussion of what went wrong with Old Media and what it will take to rebuild the journalism industry. A tip of the hat to my sister-in-law Kendall who lives in Urbana, Illinois, and got me a signed copy from McChesney, who’s a professor at the University of Illinois there.
Devil in the White City – You can see by now I like non-fiction. This example of long-form narrative nonfiction written by former Wall Street Journal features writer Erik Larson won a 2004 Edgar Award in the Best Fact Crime category. The story tells the twin tales of the architect responsible for building the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the serial killer who haunted it.
Eating Animals – I stole novelist Jonathan Safran Foer’s take on the omnivore’s dilemma from my vegetarian daughter’s nightstand – hopefully she won’t notice until I’ve finished it.
Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen’s novel of circus life during the Great Depression.
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland – Because summer’s not just for reading.
What great books are you reading this summer?
I loved Devil in the White City! What a fascinating read. Right now I’m reading Allison Winn Scotch’s latest novel (it’s a fun beachy-type book), and I’m looking forward to reading The Lost Girls next.
Susan: I want to read Allison’s other book, Time of My Life, first, then will tackle The One That I Want. Thanks for the reminder.
Michelle
There’s something about summer reading that screams novels to me. I have Allison’s new book on my shelf, along with some historical novels by Philippa Gregory.
Why is it so much fun to see what friends are reading?
Finished “Dreams from my Father” last month – enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, perhaps b/c last year I started “Audacity of Hope” & put it down (unread) within the week.
Yesterday I finished “The Help” by Kathyrn Stockett – a page-turner…highly recommended.
Thanks Marla – I liked “Dreams from My Father” and imagine “Audacity of Hope” would make more sense if you read DFMF first. Since writing that post I’ve finished “The Devil in the White City” and recommend it too – I never realize so many innovations originated at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Next on my list is “Water for Elephants.”
Michelle