Books, Books, Books

A few years ago, one of my sons—who is, alas, not much of a reader (where did I go wrong?)—gave me the book Marley and Me for Christmas. A few days after returning home, he called. I had just finished reading the book and told him how much I'd enjoyed it.
 
“I laughed all the way through until the end—when I cried,” I said. 
 
“Me too,” he replied. “Actually, I read it before I gave it to you. When I bought it, I thought I’d just read a page or two, so I did, and then I decided I’d finish the first chapter so I did, and then I wanted to read a little more so I did, and before I knew it I’d read the whole thing.”
 
I can’t say that experience has turned Ken into an avid reader, but the incident does illustrate how a good book can transport you into another world. The books I’ll be reviewing here aren’t, in general, the type that will do that, although a few of them will come close. taking you into the lives of individuals in communities which may be quite different from your own.
 
Most of them will give you a deeper look at many of the issues and problems we face in this chaotic time. I’ve followed the news closely the past few years—mostly through daily newspapers and too much nonstop television coverage. But have you noticed how much of that coverage becomes the “same old same old”? 
After awhile, curiosity demands a deeper understanding, which books like the ones in the Book Nook can deliver. 
 
Full disclosure: I’ve read most, but not all of the books I will, in effect, recommend; however, I’ve either heard or read reviews which lead me to believe those I haven’t read are of value. I'll include a note in the brief write-up if I haven't read the book    myself.  The problem, as described by Schopenhauer, a 19th-century philosopher, is this: “To buy books would be a good thing if we also could buy the time to read them.” Unfortunately, we can’t.
 
I’m trying to cultivate the art that Balfour (a prime minister of the UK in the early 20th century) recommended. “He has only half learned the art of reading who has not added to it the more refined art of skipping and skimming,” he said. As the humorist Dave Barry once observed, “I was reading this James Bond book, and right away I realized that, like most books, it had too many words,” hence the value of skipping and skimming. Even if you have to skip and skim, I’d recommend taking a look at some of the books reviewed and delving into whatever appeals to you. If you feel inspired to write a review, please do. Use one of the contact forms on the Home page or on Readers Write/Your Turn to send it in.

One thing I've noticed about the unceasing Trump chaos: It's brought out the writers in force. That's a good thing. Keep reading. 
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Most people associate reading with lying on the beach. They don't see that it's crucial for a democracy.
                                                                                                                                                                                              --David Baldacci

​Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.
​--Ben Hecht