Reading for Me

The Books I Have Read…..Just for Me

#5: The Litigators (John Grisham)

On a recent trip with the family to Louisville, I picked up an audio recording of The Litigators. Since it was written by John Grisham, an author that I don’t gravitate to naturally, I expected a light read that would keep me awake on the drive but not demand too much of my attention. I like my audio books to be something that I can easily pull myself away from without thinking about when the chapter will end. The Litigators was not such a book, much to my (pleasant) surprise.

Centering on a law firm filled with humorous attorneys and beautifully written characters, the novel pulls you into issues of morality and justice while connecting you to the lives of the individuals inhabiting Grisham’s fictional world. A high-profile mass torte case against a pharmaceutical company, quickie divorces, legal services advertised on Bingo cards, and a fearful family of immigrants combine to create one of the most engrossing tales I have experienced in quite some time.

The question that now haunts my mind is whether I have been missing the pleasure and craftsmanship of Grisham’s writing or if the work was simply a perfect fit for my drive time. Either way, I plan to take a look at another of Grisham’s lesser known works in the future and have already begun listening to another audio book. I’ll let you know what I discover……

For now, I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the opening of the bookstore tomorrow morning in order to purchase my next exciting read: Jodi Picoult’s new novel! I can’t wait!

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#3: One Summer (David Baldacci)

One Summer started out as a book that grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go.  The novel tells the story of a young couple with three children facing a harsh reality.  The father, a veteran, has a terminal disease and is expecting to die at any moment.  In a cruel turn of events, his wife is in a tragic car accident, leaving her husband and children behind.

Baldacci’s writing in the first half of the novel is splendid.  The father’s struggle to accept his own approaching death, feelings of helplessness as his children are relocated with family around the country, and his triumphant return to health are powerfully crafted.  Once the family is reunited and settle for the summer in South Carolina, the novel seemed to lose some of its forward momentum and drive.

What I had hoped would be an inviting, heart-felt novel turned out to be a lazy beach read.  I’m no worse for the wear, but my life is no better for reading it either.

My rating:  2.5 out of 5.

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#2: Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Tom Franklin)

The bar for quality reading this year has been set very high!  Tom Franklin’s novel tells the story of two men, Larry and Silas, who grew up together in southeastern Mississippi.  Silas is a black boy; Larry is white. As they grow, their lives take different paths.

Years ago, a young girl suddenly disappeared after going on a date with Larry.  Everyone assumes that Larry was responsible for her disappearance and death, but he was never tried due to a lack of evidence.  Now another girl has gone missing and Larry is the prime suspect.  Silas has returned to the deep South as a police officer in the small town, investigating the kidnapping.

Is Larry a monster or a misunderstood introvert?  Does Silas know more about the situation than he is telling?  

The novel is a fascinating read with lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way.  Be advised, dear reader, that the book is intended for a mature audience and includes vulgarity throughout.  (If you are easily offended by language, this may not be the book for you.)

My review:  4 1/2 out of 5……incredible story, wonderful writing and engrossing.

 

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