Bookworm(s)

I love three day weekends - you can catch up on all the puttering and VOX surfing and reading you haven't had time for during the hectic work weeks.  The Godfather's growing list of books read amazed me and Cori inspired me with her book reviews. Even though I haven't been blogging, I have been reading (especially on planes!) this summer.  Here's a selection, in typical left-to-my-own-devices (non book club) reading categories:

Wacky/Endearing/Gothic:
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall. Sent by Lisa, like reading a train wreck - you HAVE to know how it's going to end. One of the better first sentences in a book out there (unlike this year's Bulwer-Lytton selections): 8 out of 10.

Miss American Pie by Margaret Sartor.  This is a memoir about growing up in the 1970s.  Painful (in that uh-oh-I-think-that-happened-to-me way) and laugh-out-loud (with her, of course, not at her....) adolescent musings in the time of desegregation.  Oh, and it has horses in it.  Probably best enjoyed by others coming of age in the 70s.  9 out of 10.

Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo.  One of my favorite authors who seems to believe in the redemptive qualities of old friends, small town perspectives and Upstate NY (a nice counterpoint to Frederick Busch's books - also first rate).  A book to get lost in - perfect summer read.  8 out of 10.

Apocalyptic:
The Solitude of Thomas Cave by Georgina Harding.  The story of a whaling sailor who spends the winter alone - on purpose - in the Arctic way back in the 1600s (fiction).  It's really a romantic novel at heart, wrapped up as a fable of faith. 8 out of 10 because it's not easy, but it sticks in the back of your mind.

Mystery:
Hitler's Peace by Philip Kerr. We were hooked on this author this spring while flying to/from Berlin.  His lead detectives are well-drawn, strong, silent types. You'd worry about them, but you'd definitely invite them over for dinner.  This one wasn't as good as a few of the Berlin Noir selections, but still entertaining. 6 out of 10.

Chasing the Devil's Tail by David Fulmer. Another atmospheric, historical mystery set in New Orleans.  Good with bourbon in an airport.  6 out of 10.

Animals:
Stormy Weather by Paulette Jiles.  I liked Enemy Women so much, I  made the Godfather read it after which he rolled his eyes and said it was another horse book.  Well, so what?  This one also features a horse and strong, willful women trying to make ends meet in Texas during the Depression. You feel dusty after reading it, but not over-challenged.  6 out of 10.

Animal Mystery:
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann.  I so much wanted to like this book - sheep detectives - how could you go wrong?  But - the ending disappointed me; not even the cheery sheep line drawings can eek another point out of me.  5 out of 10.

Wacky Animal Apocalyptic:
The Mule by Juan Eslava Galan. I am sort of sad to report that this might be made into a movie. Enjoyable read covering up some harsh realities about war and the foibles of humans.  7 out of 10.