Redneck Riviera Reading List

I know, I know, my trip was 2 weeks ago so shut up about it already! But one of the best parts of the trip for me was the chance to get in a lot of undisturbed reading time. Since I posted earlier with a request for beach read suggestions, I thought I would share what I ended up with:

The New Kings of Nonfiction edited by Ira Glass
I don't usually read non-fiction, at least not for pleasure. I picked this book up because it was on sale at Bookpeople, I had a gift card, and because of Ira Glass. "This American Life" is one of my favorite shows on NPR. It always holds my interest, even when it's a topic or a person with which I have nothing in common. Glass has a knack for finding stories and voices that connect to people and I hoped that would be true with this book. It did not disappoint.

In his introduction, Glass states that this book was put together from a stack of articles he kept in his office - articles that he kept because something in them drew him to them and that he gave to people when they needed help with writing. They are also articles in which the author does not distance him/herself from the topic (Glass says "phooey" to that type of journalism). This lack of distance makes for a good read, even on topics that I know nothing about (like modern art and the World Series of Poker). I was entertained and informed, which may be nerdy, but is right up my alley. It's also an easy book to pick up and put down, since each chapter is self-contained. It was a good beach read, but would also be good to keep on your nightstand.

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
The Newlywed suggested this to me because it's on the Big Read list and it's light enough to be good beach reading. It was. I realize I am several years behind on this Bridget Jones thing. I was familiar with the story and movie, but didn't see it when it came out and have only seen parts of it on TV. I enjoyed Bridget's voice and the theme that she didn't have to change who she was to find love and happiness. It was kind of, to use the Attorney's favorite word in relation to all things female (songwriters, books, movies, etc.), empowering. And because of my recent Jane Austen/Pride and Prejudice mini-obsession, the idea of a character named Darcy, a small plot line involving the BBC miniseries, and the fact that this character was played in the movie by Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy himself!) brought things in my life together in a happily frivolous way.

I borrowed the DVD from the library yesterday. And I'm going to read the sequel. I may be a nerd, but I also like my chick lit!

Divided in Death by J.D. Robb
I started reading books in this series when I worked at the public library and people were checking them out a lot. J.D. Robb is Nora Roberts. Originally, the books didn't say that. Now they boldly proclaim "Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb." In spite of the fact that that is just ridiculous to me, I enjoy these books. They're murder mysteries, set in the future (but a relatable, only slightly more technologically advanced future), have a continuing cast of characters and just enough Nora Roberts to spice them up. (wink wink) Like my beloved Richard Jury series (by Martha Grimes, check them out!), you don't have to read them in order, but you'll be rewarded if you do. I haven't, because I don't like them enough to work hard enough or pay money to get them in order. But I like them enough to recommend them for an entertaining read. This is my second time taking this series to the beach, and they served their purpose well.

Rebellion by Nora Roberts
Definitely a guilty pleasure. To my credit, it was left at the condo by someone else. I didn't buy it or check it out from the library. Historical romance set in Scotland. Exactly what you think it is. I like to get my fix on this type of junk occasionally.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
I started this one at the beach, but didn't finish until this week, which is why I'm just doing this post. This book was recommend to me by an acquaintance at a dinner party and then again later by Sister V. I picked it up at Bookpeople because I thought it was something I would like to have around because of the topic, even if I didn't enjoy it. But I did enjoy it. Immensely. It was a National Book Award finalist and deservedly so.

Larson interweaves the story of the creation and execution of the Chicago World's Fair and the story of a serial killer living in Chicago during the same time period. I encountered history I knew, names I recognized and events that were so absurd you just couldn't make them up. It doesn't read like non-fiction, especially the serial killer part. It's a murder mystery, wrapped up in a spectacle - a story that could only happen at that unique point in history and geography. I highly recommend it, and special thanks to Sister V for turning me on to it!