What are your summer reading and listening recommendations for Brian's vacation? A favorite bestseller or hit, or do you have a tip on an undiscovered new find? In particular, focus on recent releases. Call in, leave your recommendation here, or post to twitter using the hashtag #blvacationpicks!
Comments [17]
I recommend "On Black Sisters Street," by Nigerian-Belgian author Chika Unigwe. This novel--about four African women who end up working in Amsterdam's red-light district--sheds a lot of light on the female immigrant experience and the varied reasons a poor woman might end up there. While the book deals with weighty subjects, it manages to remain an engaging and enlightening read, with the interwoven stories of told from the women's perspectives.
On everyone's list should be Hide & Seek: Reclaiming Childhood's Lost Potential by Ditta M. Oliker, Ph.D. Dr. Oliker presents a novel way to understand human behavior. The true promise of this book is being able to change that which has been unchangeable.
Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon
You should read The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman, a comic novel about the staff of an english-language daily newspaper based in Rome. Great characters and a lot to non-didactically say about today's journalism.
"Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour", by Lynne Olson -- tells the story of Harriman, Murrow and Winant (the American ambassador), who supported Great Britain during the early days of WWII, during the Blitz, when American was trying not to get into the war.
Not dry at all -- a great read -- and fascinating story about the personal, political and professional relationships that formed during wartime -- plus the origins of CBS News, built by Murrow.
One Desert Jet Turner by Earl Heron
about a Queens kid who joins the Air Force and learns about defense and the fighter jet world.
Free books are the best! I found Neil Gaiman's American Gods outside of someone's house in a "free box".
Good summer listening:
Arthur Russell's "Love is Overtaking Me"
and
Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk"
and
Shotgun Party's "Mean Old Way"
Book:
A Foreigner Carrying in the Crook of His Arm a Tiny Bomb: A Writer's Report on the Global War on Terror by Amitava Kumar.
Music: A.R. Rahman's Raavan
I recommend reading Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano. A novel based on the kidnapping of her grandmother in 1909 by the Black Hand. Gripping and fast paced and a great picture of Little Italy. Okay - so I'm a little biased - she's a dear friend and I knew her grandmother.
For good summer listening music, check out Brooklyn jazz artist Jose James and his record, "Dreamer." Beautiful and confident LP that makes me want to make a gin and tonic and read all day.
Old John Le Carre. "The Honorable Schoolboy"
and "The Miernik Dossier" Charles McCarry.
Two very different spy novel, published the same year. 1977
Don DeLillo's "Underworld"---even if all you read is the Prologue---fabulous writing!
American Tabloid by James Ellroy (nasty, nasty epic fun)
Trashy but Entertaining: Charlaine Harris's "Southern Vampire Mysteries" series
Enlightening: Louis Menand's "American Studies"
Frustrating but Necessary: Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas?"
What is the What - Dave Egers
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I am loving this book!
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