June is passing by quickly so I better try to keep up with the blog and reading, or else I will fall by the wayside. I see that various bloggers have posted their summer reading lists, which I think is a fun idea. It reminds me of being in school when we were required to read such novels as William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” and William Golden’s “The Lord of the Flies” over summer break. I’m not sure how many novels we had to read, but I liked crossing them off my school list as I slowly made progress to this interruption in my vacation.
Virgos like me love lists, but can we ever stick to them?! Not likely. I’m a mood reader. I pick up things to read usually by what strikes me at the moment. Regardless, I’m posting the titles below for fun — as books I will draw from for my summer reading. They’re not supposed to be too heavy — some should be lighter beach reads, right? ‘Tis the season of back deck barbecues. I’m sure other books will slip in later by osmosis, but that’s to be expected. For now, my summer books include:
1) The Girls by Emma Cline (a highly praised debut)
2) Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins (per Judy’s review at Keep the Wisdom)
3) Into the Forest by Jean Hegland (a futuristic tale suggested by a friend)
4) Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave (picked up at BookExpo America)
5) Lab Girl by Hope Jahren (on my To Be Read shelves gathering dust)
6) Reckless by Chrissie Hynde (from my sister at Christmas!)
7) The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Pulitzer Prize-winning)
8) The Lotus & the Storm by Lan Cao (a Vietnam book to dovetail with #7)
9) H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (on my TBR shelf gathering dust)
10) The Mountain Story by Lori Lansens (hikers gone awry, ahh summer delight)
11) Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley (one dog tale per season)
12) Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (a highly praised debut)
13) Mischling by Affinity Konar (a WWII novel that will likely tear my guts out)
14) The Terranauts by T.C. Boyle (picked up at BookExpo America)
15) And many more …
What’s on your summer list? Have you read any of the ones I picked? Meanwhile below are a few mini reviews of my latest reads.
I found Noah Hawley’s novel “Before the Fall” to be an enjoyable summer, beach-kind-of thriller — about a small private plane with 11 onboard that crashes into the ocean 16 minutes after departing Martha’s Vineyard. (Oh, how small plane trips can creep me out. I once flew to Martha’s Vineyard in the 1990s on a commercial flight from Newark to visit a friend, and the small, loud propeller plane flew past the Twin Towers and sort of scared the bejesus out of me. It seemed to be chugging at a steep angle up into the sky so hard and loudly as if it were about to conk out. I shrank into my seat and thought: Oh please don’t let this go down. Luckily it didn’t, but it caused me about a half hour of silent agony.)
The suspense of Hawley’s novel is in finding out what really happened and who or what caused the crash. The storyline reminded me briefly of John Kennedy Jr.‘s tragic plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 1999, which was so awful. People remember where they were when they heard that horrendous news. Though this book isn’t all that similar to that — with the exception that various rich people are onboard.
The beginning of “Before the Fall” is the most riveting part, with the plane’s hellish plunge into the ocean and the aftermath of possible survivors. Then it gets a bit drawn out as chapters delve into the lives of passengers who were onboard and whether they could have been involved in the crash. Scott, a 40-something down-on-his-luck artist, is the main character and seems a likable hero, or is he? And how did he come to be onboard alongside these super-rich types?
The ending of “Before the Fall” is not exactly a fizzle, but I was expecting perhaps a bigger bang — or splash — for it to go out with. Still the story kept me turning the pages fairly quickly to get to its conclusion. Hawley, who is executive writer and producer for the TV show “Fargo,” proves he has a keen knack for writing fiction and developing characters. “Before the Fall” is a good thriller for the beach, but not exactly for a plane flight, if you get my drift.
As for Rebecca Makkai’s 2014 novel “The Hundred-Year House,” I listened to it on audiobook, which in retrospect might have been a mistake — as perhaps it’s a book easier to follow in print. The novel is broken into three parts and is told in reverse chronological order, which makes it a bit unique and interesting to piece together. I liked the idea of its story about a wealthy family’s turn-of-the-century estate and the artists’ colony that once thrived there from the 1920s to 1950s. Its plot involves a plethora of family secrets and betrayals and an array of eccentric characters. I was into the novel in Parts 1 and 2 — as the house occupants’ mysteries begin to be revealed — but found Part 3 a bit confusing with its various characters from the artists’ colony and convoluted tangents, and the novel lost its hold on me. (Judging by other comments on Goodreads, I wasn’t totally alone in my confusion.)
I wish I had liked “The Hundred-Year House” as much as others seem to have, but as a whole it didn’t grab me enough, or for some reason it failed to totally connect with me. But feel free to disagree if you were a fan of this one.
I had much better luck with T.C. Boyle’s 1995 novel “The Tortilla Curtain,” which I read for my book club. Its edgy and at times spoof-filled story made for an interesting discussion and starts off when a white man driving home one day accidentally hits a Mexican illegal immigrant in the road with his car. The white man, a liberal nature writer, lives with his obsessive realtor wife and kid, in a newly gated hilltop community in Topanga Canyon, outside Los Angeles — while the immigrant is homeless there, trying to survive with his wife in a makeshift camp in the ravine. Gradually their two worlds begin to intersect and collide, making for an anxiety-filled ride and conclusion.
“The Tortilla Curtain” reminded me a bit of Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” — with its clash between people from opposite worlds — but “Tortilla Curtain” felt more realistic and not as over-the-top in its satire. It still spoofs the times we live in, but also shows empathy to both sides, making for a more nuanced and riveting story. If you haven’t read T.C. Boyle before, he is a master, and this excellent, 5 star novel only proves that someday I will need to read his entire literary canon. I picked up his upcoming novel “The Terranauts” at BEA and will add it to my ever-growing TBR pile.
That’s sort of it for now. But has anyone been watching the five-part documentary TV series: “O.J.: Made in America”? Holy smokes, I’m sure I’m likely the last person to revisit the whole sordid and tragic case — which I remember well from the 1990s — but this docu-series is exceptional and adds much more perspective and L.A. history to what happened and affected the outcome. And its interviews with people involved and views into the murders — these many years later — are quite revealing. I highly recommend the documentary, which includes much footage about the case never seen before. Sadly many of the same issues in the series are still relevant today.
What about you are you watching this? Or have you read any of these books or authors, and if so, what did you think?
It looks like you have some really interesting books ready to read.
The Terranauts seems particularly interesting. It seems like it has such great potential in for plot as well as character development.
You’re right Brian, The Terranauts seems like it would have a lot of potential for plot & character play. Perfect for a TC Boyle book. I’m looking forward to it!
The Hundred-Year House sounds like one I might like, but your reaction makes me cautious… there are so many other books (including several on your list) I want to read! Small planes scare me to death, so I’ll probably give Before the Fall a pass. Otherwise I may never get in one again! The Tortilla Curtain was a favorite a few years ago… just love Boyle’s writing! Will keep an eye out for his latest.
So glad you liked The Tortilla Curtain too. You have excellent taste, ha! You might give the Hundred-Year House a try — a lot of readers seem to really like it. I was in the minority there. Thanks for stopping by!
The Tortilla Curtain pushed all kinds of buttons for me. I like to think of myself as a kind and caring person but this book forces the reader to face the whole “not in my neighborhood ” issue. I will definitely read more from this author.
I loved “Into the Forest” as it grapples with issues of survival in a newly simplified world (no electricity, water, gas), and the exploration of how that effects two sisters.
Another dystopian book that I enjoyed on audiobook was “The Heart Goes Last” by the inimitable Margaret Atwood. Funny and profound in her unique style.
Thanks for your blog Susan. I always enjoy your insights.
Hey Susan! Always so glad to get your great comments and book recommendations. You make good points about the Tortilla Curtain — I felt that way too. I like how the author is not totally against one side or the other — but that you get to feel both sides. I felt like I was in their shoes. I’m sure I’m going to love “Into the Forest” — it sounds right up my alley! I probably would like the Atwood book too. Keep reading !
I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned but a few are on my TBR or have been on my radar including Before The Fall, which I might try now, and H is for Hawk, which I might get to someday. Some month. Some year, more likely. 😉
Hi Bryan, yeah I’d like to get to H Is for Hawk too — I heard from my sister who read it that it’s excellent. About getting through grief after the death of a parent — and she gets a hawk. Interesting! thx for stopping by.
I laughed reading about your agony in the small plane. I get that when I travel in jets as well. It brought to mind the John John’s crash, as you pointed out. It was so tragic!
I would like to read H is for Hawk at some point. A few books on your list have been making the rounds in the blogosphere lately, like The Sympathizer and The Girls. I look forward to your reviews.
Thanks Carmen, I’m glad you understand the small plane thing too.
I hope to get to H Is for Hawk as well. My sister says it’s quite excellent. It sounds like a unique nonfiction read so I think I’ll probably like it.
Yeah John John’s crash was a heartbreaker. Still hard to believe really. Ugh that was awful.
We just finished up the OJ doc last night (our power was out when the last episode was actually on) and YES!! So incredibly good. I watched the FX series earlier this year (which is also amazing) and wasn’t sure I’d be up for so many more hours on the same subject, but they tackled really different details of the case.
Interesting Shannon. I had missed the FX series on OJ but this documentary really captured a lot. It’s good that both shows looked at different aspects of the case. It’s still both hair-raising and mind-boggling to me what happened.
I just posted about Homegoing today – so good! Lab Girl is a good pick for summer, because of all the nature-y stuff. And, The Mountain Story was a lot of fun, especially for survival story enthusiasts (which I believe you are)!
We never had summer reading lists in school. But now, I kind of wish we did (depending on what was put on the list).
I’ll have to stop your site to see about Homegoing! Thx Naomi. And I hope to get to Lab Girl for summer.
I guess I’m in favor of schools putting out summer reading lists though I realize kids need a break too.
Before the Fall looks like one I might enjoy, and yes, I immediately thought of the crash of John Kennedy, Jr.’s plane….so sad.
I have programmed my DVR for the O.J. miniseries, but didn’t really like the first episode. I’m thinking that I will enjoy more of the later ones…and yes, I remember well the whole trial on TV that interrupted everything I wanted to watch…lol. But I watched the miniseries on that trial recently, and liked that better. Probably because I wasn’t held captive by the networks, viewing it when I chose to do so.
Thanks for sharing…and enjoy your week. Thanks for visiting my blog(s).
Ha. Yeah I remember how the OJ case on TV took over everything. Forget everything else in the world going on. Sigh. But the documentary is pretty comprehensive & good. Gosh our society is screwed up!
Good summer list! I see you have a couple of my favs on it. I liked The Hundred Year House a lot but I did have to look back during the third part, so it was lucky I had a print book. I am so looking forward to Homegoing. Happy reading!
Thanks Judy. With all the books ahead – Not a minute to waste! If you get to Homegoing before me, then I can scope how much you like it. 🙂
I’m a mood reader too! And the minute I add books to a ‘list’, I immediately feel like reading them will be a chore… And I lose interest. Sad but true. I do much better simply giving myself a number of books to read – so the goodreads challenge works well for me!
Good to hear from you Annie! Yeah total mood reader here too. I’ve already picked up a book this week I’m reading that isn’t on the “summer list.” Figures. Glad to know you read this way too. Enjoy your summer!
I’m eager to read Everyone Brave is Forgiven–my husband is almost done with it, and is loving it. Also would like to read H is for Hawk, especially since I reread Once and Future King a couple of years ago. I also have Lab Girl on my summer list. If only summer was longer!
Hi Jane, Glad to know your husband is liking Everyone Brave Is Forgiven. I hope to get to it soon. Yeah I expect I’ll need some of fall to finish my summer list! Too many good ones to finish! Enjoy your books.
Great reviews! I’m not usually afraid of flying but even the cover of Before the Fall is scaring me. On your summer list, I read and loved H is for Hawk, although it took me a while to get into it. Lab Girl is on my to read list and my daughter, who loves botany, wants to read it too. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll buy a copy from our local indie bookstore.
Also thanks for your enthusiasm for my novel and new agent. Fingers crossed!
Yeah excited Sarah about your book, and I plan to buy it whenever it gets published. 🙂 ! It sounds like a great premise to me. Good to know about H Is for Hawk. And Lab Girl does sound perfect for summer too. Enjoy your summer.
I can’t ever remember having a summer “required reading” list for school, but maybe that’s because I was always inclined to be a summer reader anyway, so if I did have a list it wasn’t too onerous. The books on your list sound great!
Thanks Kim. I went to a boarding school — where they likely read us the riot act. Ha, but not really. Enjoy your summer reading too.
Oh my gosh, your summer reading list has got some great stuff on it! What fun!
I agree with you completely on Before the Fall- felt the ending was weak. On the other hand, the OJ documentary was almost more than I could take. I lived in Buffalo at the time and the divide between people was huge. It was deeply unsettling.
I’m heading on vacation at the end of the week and so am only taking my Kindle and planning on using downtime to read: Still Here, Behind Closed Doors, How I Became a North Korean and The Imperial Wife. We’ll see how it goes!
Thanks for stopping by Catherine! Yeah I did feel Before the Fall had a weak ending — and the OJ doc rattled my cage for sure. I hope you enjoy your vacation and summer reading! I look forward to your reviews.
I’m a mood reader 🙂 So, I never make reading list. But, I did read the 3 books that I was supposed to “Sister Carrie”, “In the Garden of Beasts” (your suggestion) and “China Dolls” Thanks to you and to Judy I had a fantastic time reading these books. Yuppie
Oh great RT. So glad you liked In the Garden of Beasts. It’s eerie to me even now — how the diplomat’s family (mainly the daughter) got mixed up with the Nazis. I agree sometimes following a list of reading can work out well. It’s working for me this summer.
I agree. The immediate aftermath of the crash itself and the swim to shore was riveting. I was surprised that there wasn’t more of the crash itself but it was a little different handling it the way the author did.