August’s best books are far from bland

There are so many great books out there recently; I have a hard time keeping up. As always, I appreciate the recommendations you offer to me. Keep them coming!

 

Before we dive in, I want to let you know that the Charleston Literary Festival has a program to assist you in hosting a book club event in your home, or other site, to discuss one of the authors coming to the Charleston Literary Festival this year, Nov. 7-16, at the Dock Theatre. They will provide guidelines to facilitate discussion. For more information, go to charlestonliteraryfestival.com and click on the link Feasting on Books.

 

NONFICTION

Only one nonfiction selection this month, and I did truly enjoy it as an audible book.

 

“How to Lose Your Mother” by Molly Jong-Fast. Yes, she is the daughter of Erica Jong, who wrote “Fear of Flying.” If you do not know that book, ask your mother. Fast writes about her unusual upbringing and dealing with her mother, who now suffers from dementia. As dysfunctional as the family may be, Fast makes it all pretty dang funny.

 

FICTION

The fiction offerings this month will evoke a variety of emotions and reactions: laughter, sadness, shock, reflection. There is nothing bland on the menu.

 

“The Whyte Python World Tour” by Travis Kennedy. This goofy story of a metal band in the ’80s is already being made into a movie. Think “This is Spinal Tap” with a dash of espionage.

 

“Fever Beach” by Carl Hiaasen. This is a writer who always delivers a solid, sometimes complicated story based on characters pulled from the headlines and found in South Florida. Crazy and funny, but with a definite point of view. One of his many other books, “Bad Monkey,” published in 2013 and made into a movie, recently aired on Apple TV starring Vince Vaughn.

 

“Penitence” by Kristin Koval. A young girl shoots her ailing brother. To save him from further misery, in anger? She isn’t talking. This is a poignant, thoughtful read.

 

“What Kind of Paradise” by Janelle Brown. If your only parent raised you off the grid and entangled you in a political protest that caused harm, how would you cope? Fortunately, Jane is a smart girl and finds her way to her true past and a future. Suspenseful, realistic, and compulsively readable.

 

“Ruth Run” by Elizabeth Kaufman. A fast-paced, tech-heavy, cat-and-mouse chase involving cybercrime and duplicity. It will make you question the safety of your money in any setting.

 

“King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby. Cosby is enormously talented, and I have loved his books, but they do contain a lot of violence, though nothing that you don’t read in the paper on a daily basis. He uncovers the backstory and motivation of even the worst characters in his stories. Engaging writing makes Cosby’s books fast reads.

 

“How to Dodge a Cannonball” by Dennard Dayle. Anders is the teenage protagonist here in a Civil War story that finds satire for both sides. An unusual main character and his travails make for a unique read. He fights on both sides, and for a period he joins a Black Union regiment, claiming to be an octoroon. Definitely a different read, but try it.

 

“So Far Gone” by Jess Walter. This is the author of “Beautiful Ruins” and “The Cold Millions,” both of which I enjoyed, and all three of these books are very different from one another. This is the story of Rhys, who cut himself off from family and friends but is called on to help his grandchildren in a crisis. He comes through in a tumultuous, snarky, but sincere effort to make things right. Good characters, never boring.

 

“Among Friends” by Hal Ebbott. Looking for a book for book club? This is one to consider. A horrific betrayal leads to harsh scrutiny of a long friendship. How they handle it offers plenty of discussion. 

 

For more information, visit beckysbookclub.com.