Summer Reading

We are the opposite of the New York Times.  The Times tells you in June what books you should read over the summer — we tell you in September what books we enjoyed reading over the summer.  Bonnie's favorites come first:

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.  I love stories about cantankerous people, and Ove sets a high bar for being bad-tempered and inflexible.  Yet people see his heart and are relentless in their interactions; Ove becomes part of a community in spite of himself.

Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller.  Another story about an old man who finds himself adrift in a new life.  He flees with a young boy after the murder of the boy's mother, and together they dodge danger and form a bond.  Sheldon's military training provides the expertise, just as the ghosts of his past haunt their exploits.

The Distant Marvels by Chantel Acevedo.  Maria Sirena is a storyteller.  She once told stories as a lettora in a cigar factory, then for her friends and family.  Now her skills and imagination create a story to keep eight women alive and hopeful.

In the Sea There Are Crocodiles, Based on the True Story of Enaiatollah Akbari by Fabio Geda.  Italian novelist Fabio Geda reconstructs Enaiat's childhood memories of fleeing Afghanistan for Pakistan and then on his own surviving a five-year ordeal through Iran, Turkey, and Greece to political asylum in Italy.  It's an amazing story of resilience, determination, hope.

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny.  The characters and community created by Louise Penny make me want to move, or at least vacation, in this idyllic place and such intriguing and complex inhabitants.

The Sister Brothers by Patrick DeWitt.  A droll western about two hired guns having second thoughts.

Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson.  Compelling story of the build up, experience, and aftermath of the 1900 Galveston hurricane.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough.  An eye opener — you learn so much more about what talented, brave, determined, and modest men these fabled brothers were.

The People's History of Sports in the United States by Dave Zirin.  Yes, this is about sports, but along the way you get great insights into social movements and their interplay with sports.

The River of Doubt by Candace Millard.  Before Teddy Roosevelt became president, he took a horrifically dangerous trip down the Amazon with amazingly poor preparations.

Note to the subset of ECE professionals who like mysteries.  Go here to see my list of recent favorite mysteries.

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