Finally May. Still cool, and rainy, but the buds are visible now and although a bit later than usual, some dandelions are popping their brightness after the slushy gloom of early spring.
As I start my reading this month, I pick something at random from the pile (come on, fellow readers, you know what ‘the pile’ is.)
- “Virgil Wander” by Leif Enger. I bought this book based on the cover, which is dominated by a starry night sky over a dimly-lit small-town main-street scene. Invoked thoughts of sci-fi to me. Not though. Or was it? This was a hard book to figure out, not because of the character-based, soap-opera story lines; I imagine a mini-series, maybe Stephen Kingish, intertwining around the politics and relationships among and between. The writing is lush and stylish, almost too good. (A review on the back says Enger is a writer that other writers read, and ‘die a little’. I didn’t understand until after – yes, the writing is so good that why should anyone else ever bother?) The story does include esoteric elements, but yet the scenes are soundly-rooted. If you’re having a hard time figuring out my review, then you get the drift! How about : the book was good. I read it eagerly. It was interesting and lingers.
Now I need something lighter and more forgettable. So checking out the freebies I get on my Kindle, I’ll try:
- “The Secret Generations” by John Gardner. I figured some drama, pre-World War 1, life of a fictional gentrified family, easy to read, nicely historical. I was right, and wrong. Again, I don’t read about the book first, so didn’t realize it was a spy novel! I seem to fall into these. Very complicated relationships and loyalties. Mixed with the British of our titular spy family : enter the German spies, Irish, and American. The Lusitania disaster and war become characters themselves. Great personal stories within great world events. I really do need a break for my next read! Love the exhaustion, though.
May is ending with brilliant sunshine and crisp skies after such a late start. The buds and twigs have become a landscape awash in plush fluffy green. I’ve started my yearly checking of the pollen levels. Mosquito spray needs renewal. Summer beckons! Take a book!
Looking for something new to read? Try Michele’s Books.
Stevie Szabad, Author 