MONDAY, OCT. 20 — I've been spending a great deal of time around artists and other creatives these days, which has been a very pleasant experience. The common thread is always books; from painters to poets, people whose restless minds are always looking for the new and untried love to talk about the books that matter to them. Here's what we're reading:
ALL THE TRUTH IS OUT
Matt Bai
If you're like me you've wondered when it happened. Just in my lifetime I've seen media coverage of major political campaigns turn from discussion of candidate's positions on the issues of the day to a myopic focus on the so-called "character issues" that have squeezed out coverage of most things that really matter to those about to cast their ballot. Mr. Bai makes a very compelling case in his excellent new book that it was in 1987 when political coverage changed dramatically.
Senator Gary Hart was the front-running candidate for presidential nominee of the Democratic party. An ill-fated boat trip during a campaign break brought a young woman named Donna Rice to national prominence. A vast majority of news outlets found that a sharp focus on the supposed ethical mis-deeds of Senator Hart increased their circulation more than covering the issues of the campaign ever could, and the race was on. The idea that all elections have been contested by flawed human beings, rather than robots, since their historical beginnings was no longer relevant, and ever since the gaffes (either real or invented) of the contenders have become the primary story for the media, and the primary ammunition for the opposition. Even though it needs one, it's difficult to identify a single villain in this story. It could be argued that we have caused the damage to our political process ourselves, or at least allowed it to happen for its entertainment value. kobo eBook
THE REMEDY FOR LOVE
Bill Roorbach
One of the sweetest novels of the year, and even more effective in that sweetness because of the thorns attached. Mr. Roorbach's last novel, Life Among Giants, was impressive in its use of a large and unusual ensemble cast, fit within an story impressive enough to make them all feel like real and engaging people. In his new book, he makes a complete u-turn.
There are only two characters in this fascinating story - a man and a woman, strangers to each other, whom pure chance throws together in a completely snowbound cabin in Maine during a blizzard of historic, and quite dangerous, proportions. They are unlike each other, they're wrong for each other, they each have a significant other in their life, and they share absolutely no trust in each other's motives. They talk because they have to, they fight and argue, and they (very) slowly come to understand each other, even to appreciate each other. And from there...well, I'll offer no spoilers except to say the book is romantic in fresh and surprising ways. kobo eBook
THUG KITCHEN: THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK
Thug Kitchen LLC
Recipes for healthier eating, served up with a big ol' pile of attitude. The Thug Kitchen website is passionate (in an endearingly profanity-laced way) in its promotion of eating better food and getting rid of the useless and harmful calories we all consume. The folks in the Kitchen offer recipes for amazingly delicious and creative meatless eating - no pretensions, no rhapsodies about eating steamed kale. You'll love the photos and want to eat the food; and if you have a tolerance for the language, you'll laugh like h***. And check out their Facebook page, too. More recipes and more of their particular brand of attitude.
A friend of mine posted this question on social media a few weeks back and I was surprised by the number of responses she received. I was also surprised by how much fun it was to ponder her question: What's your favorite opening line from a book?
Until next week,
Neil
NeilNeil Rajala is Currently Director of Community & Business Services for Schuler Books, Neil's decade with the company has included the wearing of many different hats - and lots and lots of reading.
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