Daddy Clay’s Summer Reading List

My annual solo is almost over. I’m checking the final honey-dos off my list before heading to the Cape. One important task is pulling together the reading materials and loading up the Kindle. Here’s what I’ll be perusing at Harding’s Beach this year.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Steig Larsson

Beach read, page turner. Loved the previous two installments. I put this one at the top of the list because I’m certain that my sister-in-law has already read it and she’ll flop a spoiler out there, first thing. Trust me.

[Update: This installment was a worthy sequel and a decent conclusion to the series.  A must for people who have read the previous two books.  A bit more cerebral, heavier on political intrigue and Swedish political history, a little lighter on melodramatic action and violence.  You won't stay up late to finish this one, but you may feel more satisfied when you are done.]

The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea by Philip Hoare

I always pick a couple of ocean-themed books. Sometimes it’s pirates or treasure ships or giant bluefin tuna. This year it’s whales.

[Update: A found this book to be both fascinating and tedious in turn.  Do not even bother picking this up if you have not read or are not interested in Moby Dick.  A huge part of the narrative is the Hoare's retracing of Melville's steps and retelling the literary history of the White Whale. I haven't read Moby Dick, I'll admit to my shame, so I almost put the book down several times as a result. The essays on the evolution of whaling and whale watching, however, were very compelling and thoughtful.  Hoare's occasional inclusion of intimate personal detail was jarring, but also moving. Overall, this was a good balance to my really beachy books, but unless you have a strong interest in the subject (we go on an annual whale watch) I would pass on this one.]

That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo

For obvious reasons. I have really enjoyed his past novels, especially “Nobody’s Fool.” And I feel like I should read at least one “literary” novel a year. Mostly I find them too hard. I’m tired when I read at night, and I shop that way. May be a consequence of teaching High School English for over a decade.

[Update: I definitely felt like I was eating my literary broccoli with this one, and was reminded why I usually go for escapist or genre fiction these days.  Life is hard enough without sighing your way through a tale of a washed up writer turned academic, dealing with his nightmarish parents and his crumbling marriage. All set on my favorite place on earth.  Which I read while in that place.  I guess at this point in my life I prefer to remain poorly read.]

Stories Neil Gaiman, ed.

I generally do not read short fiction. But I loved genre fiction stories as a kid. I’m wondering if this collection will rekindle my enthusiasm.

Silk Parachute by John McPhee

Used to be a huge fan of his craft, but my interest has faded recently. Here pretty much for the essay on lacrosse — part of my continuing ed project on this subject.

Have any other suggestions for me? What’s on your summer reading list this year?

[Also, I read two books while running. Well, technically I listened to them, but I want these counted anyway. Both I enjoyed very much. I subscribe to Audible and get one monthly title, which works out about right for the time I spend on the road.

The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson is Hollywood.  From the superhuman capacities in love and war, to the credibility bending plot twists, this thing is begging for a dose of Leo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie.  That said, turns out that I played college football with the protagonist, which is cool, the central convention of a mole in Al Queda  was convincingly rendered, and I found myself doing a few fist pumps on the back roads of Chappaquiddick as the book reached its climax.  Pure entertainment.  Well told.  Great audiobook production.

Restless by William Boyd -- continuing on the spy theme, this time in World War II. No superheroes here, just very convincing espionage carried on by a fascinating female protagonist. I found myself hoping that the 1976 plotline following the spy's daughter would conclude so I could get back to 1941 and all the fun.  The action is largely cerebral -- this is a very British book -- but compelling and detailed. I found myself sitting on the front doorstep, run long over, getting in just a few extra minutes of this book.]