This 20th Gamache novel is a direct sequel to The Grey Wolf. Inspector Gamache with a very small group of trusted investigators works to foil more dastardly plots in what must be a covert operation. Trust no-one! There are police moles, crooked politicians, the Montreal mob, and a great deal of misdirection. So, in short, totally entertaining.
Camino Ghosts – John Grisham
First, a confession: I have never read a Grisham novel, despite his being one of the best-selling authors in the world! So, this randomly chosen novel describes a classic legal battle. On the one side is Lovely Jackson, a Black woman claiming ownership of an island settled and inhabited by ship-wrecked African slaves in 1760. And on the other side is a despicable corporate developer who wants to build a resort and casino on the island. This classic David-Goliath battle comes to a satisfying conclusion because there is no last-minute revelation at the end of the book. So, a very entertaining read.
Watership Down – Richard Adams
This book was purchased in San Diego in March 1975, and kept because it is a classic. It is a magical story about … rabbits! Brothers Hazel and Fiver and some other rabbits make an epic journey to find a new home Thus, this compelling story is about friendship and leadership, of unexpected heroism and yes, survival. And there is conflict with another rabbit warren, and considerable peril from enemies (elil, from a Lapine Glossary): stoats, cats, dogs, kestrels and humans. Simply put, this is an original spell-binding and often astonishing story. Highly recommended.
The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth Strout
Let me make something perfectly clear: this is a great book, high praise for the author of Olive Kitteridge and other literary masterpieces. The story is often profoundly simple, and there are descriptions of exquisite small events that will take your breath away. Artie is a 57-year-old married high-school history teacher with one son. What happens when he learns a family secret? Has he been living a lie? What does Artie do with this knowledge? Thus, the story becomes a meditation on sadness, loneliness and yes, melancholy; in other words, this is a moving exploration of what it is to be human. And finally, the book title is perfect!
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
This short novel published in 1953 is prescient in its portrayal of fear and paranoia, markedly influenced by the Cold War and McCarthyism. This is a predictive story, of a future where firemen set fires (and thus destroy books) rather than prevent fires. Why are books hated and feared? Can knowledge in the form of forbidden literature be saved? This is a powerful Orwellian look at a dystopian future that has uncomfortable parallels with our current world.
The Valley Of Vengeful Ghosts – Kim Fu
Simply put – Kim Fu is an excellent writer. This is a story of grief and loneliness, of excruciating isolation. Eleanor is increasingly unmoored after her mother’s death. And it is delicious irony that she is a clinical psychologists, ostensibly offering useful advice to virtual clients. The purchase of a new house is an unmitigated disaster. And there are ghosts: what is real? Overall, a troubling and surreal story, so reader – be warned.
The Book Of Lost Hours – Hayley Gelfuso
This imaginative book is a fine example of speculative fiction, and thus hard to describe. Imagine a reality where past and present memories are stored in books, in libraries in the “time space”. Timekeepers are tasked with the collection and storage of memories. But what if some memories are considered dangerous? What if individuals can alter time and erase memories, and what if some of these individuals work for nefarious government agencies to alter history? And in fact, this book is also a thriller, with a very complicated love story – highly recommended.
When The Cranes Fly South – Lisa Ridzen
Reader be warned: this is a profoundly sentimental book about aging that will bring tears. The story is about an 89-year-old Swedish man, Bo, living alone with a dog as his sole companion, plus daily visits from caregivers (this is Sweden, after all). Bo’s wife has descended into dementia, adding to his isolation. Bo’s relationship with his deceased father and his son are complicated; stubbornness and flashes of anger prevent him from communicating what he feels which often is pride and love. Memories and dreams collide in his assessment of his imperfections. Overall, a magical reading experience
Cat’s Eye – Margaret Atwood
This 1988 novel may be Atwood’s most autobiographical story. Most notably, this is a story about women. Elaine is a painter in her 50s who returns to Toronto for a retrospective art show. What follows are reflections on her life. Perhaps the best section describes her childhood, ages 8-15, and the pervasive influence of mean girls who play on Elaine’s insecurity and her need to please. The cruelty is subtle, stressing Elaine’s imperfections. And there are secrets and shifting alliances. These girlhood traumas persist into adult life, so this is a powerful coming-of-age novel, a must read book.
What David Read 