Summer Reading
Sep 13th, 2009 by Sean
There are few things more relaxing than a good book. Here’s an overview of my summer reading.
Inside Delta Force: The Story of America’s Elite Counterterrorist Unit, by Eric Haney. You may have heard of the television show “The Unit.” The show is based on this book. The author, a former Delta Force operator, spends a lot of time talking about the selection process for Delta and the rigorous challenges that are part of that training. It’s amazing. A bit too much time is spent on the training, though. I’d prefer to have read more about actual missions. Still, a good read. We’re fortunate to have the men of Delta on our side. This is definitely a guy’s book.
Vow of Vengeance, by Danny T. Ferguson. I like to read about places where I’ve traveled. My favorite genre is the novel, so I’m happy to give up a little veracity about a locale for the sake of a good story. We went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina this summer and I read this book while on the beach. It’s set in Virginia and North Carolina. It’s a mystery/thriller, my favorite sub-genre, and the plot is both creative and implausible. The author seems at times to be trying to write like the great Carl Hiaasen, but he falls short. The plot is nearly as wild as some of Hiaasen’s, but Ferguson smacks the reader with a very serious plot consequence that doesn’t mix with the zaniness found throughout most of the book.
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell, by Max Tucker. I may have detoured away from novels with this one, but this was wilder than most novels. A collection of true stories, this book was hysterical and revolting. I’ve never read anything like it. In a sentence, it’s about how an intelligent guy gets drunk continuously and has sex with various women. This book will entertain you, but it’s not for the prude among us. Check it out.
The Keeper’s Son, by Homer Hickham. I didn’t get this novel about the Outer Banks in time for our trip, but it was fun to read. This story takes place in the early days of World War II and deals with two sides of the war, questions of honesty and deception, the quaintness of small-town living, some romance, and the topic of duty. It’s full of submarines and Coast Guard. If you like either, you’ll like this. Again, probably a guy’s book.
What did you read this summer? Any recommendations?
I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. The book is written as a series of letters between the main character, her friends, coworkers and inhabitants on the Isle of Guernsey just after World War II. The island was occupied by the German Army during the war. I really like historical fiction and this book brought a little different slant.
Wow, you read a lot. Did you major in English? On a serious note, there is nothing like reading a good book while sitting by the pool or on the beach. Let’s hope for a few more sunny and warm weekends!!
I thought “Loving Frank” was a great book – it’s based on the true story of a period in Frank Lloyd Wright’s life (1907-1914?) when his mistress and her children and several workers were brutally murdered.
@Karen, thanks for the recommendation.
@Rabbit Legs, no books to recommend?
@ Lee, thanks for coming by. I’ll check the book out. You live in a great part of the country.
I’m glad Delta Force was a good read. Beer in Hell sounds like a titillating page-turner for sure. My summer reading included Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger (Tales of Texas based Permian High School Football); the big girls by Susanna Moore (tightly written, suspenseful novel set in a women’s prison in Upstate NY); and Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli (autobiography, writing was just ok but her struggles with weight, self esteem, and relationships gave me plenty to think about). I would recommend any of them.
I read Firefly Lane, story of two girls and their unlikely friendship. Liked it, didn’t love it.
Beautiful Boy, non-fiction story about a man and his struggles to help his son overcome serious drug addiction. Really good book but sad. Planning on reading the book written by his son called Tweak. I’ve heard it is very good.
The Highest Tide, a coming of age story about a boy growing up in the Pacific Northwest and his love of the ocean and all of its creatures.
Motion of the Ocean, a non-fiction account of a newly married couple’s journey around the world in a old, beaten up sailboat.
Currently reading what Karen recommended!
P.S. Good to see you back, G&G. We’ve missed you. Must mean you’ve had a good and busy summer!
@Soccermama, Friday Night Lights was good.
@Bythesea, I like the sound of a few of those!