June is already over and I’m already behind on my summer reading. Tsk! This is the season that I’ve told myself I’ll read more fiction with a dash of the biographical. I’m trying (again) to get used to reading on my Kindle in an effort to make it easier for me to pick up a book when I’m out and about or on the road. The luddite in me still prefers the feel of a physical book in my hands, though, so I’m reading most of these in hard or soft copy.
On Writing – Stephen King
Never expected to laugh so hard through this inspiring part-memoir, part-tutorial from one of the modern masters of horror. King has a Twain-like gift for storytelling that is direct, sharply funny, and filled with plain-spoken wisdom. You could strip out all the grumpy and awkward instructional bits and still learn all the same valuable lessons and more just by reading and digesting King’s prose.
The Happiness Curve – Jonathan Rauch
Found this in a pile of miscellaneous junk in my office just in time – apparently I’m at the just the right age for some gentle encouragement to get me out of the happiness trough (let’s not call it a midlife crisis, people). I was deeply skeptical going in, but Rauch does a great job of walking through the reams of economic data that show there are indeed brighter days ahead in our fifties and beyond.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin
I mostly loved this novel about best friends who become video game pioneers as they navigate tragedy, relationships, and growing up in a fast-moving industry from east coast to west. Zevin’s richly drawn characters and compelling story draw you in, but I found the ending a little flat and unfinished.
Circe – Madeline Miller
Engrossing and gritty retelling of the infamous witch’s story from her own perspective, starting as a neglected and despised daughter of Helios. Miller brings the classic heroes of Greek mythology to life in new and largely unflattering ways as Circe seeks out her own very human destiny.
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