November reads for all breeds of bookworms

To start off the month of November, here are several extraordinary books, starting with nonfiction:

 

“Vanderbilt” by Anderson Cooper is the fascinating history of the eponymous family and their fortune. Truly astonishing how they were able to fritter away the world’s largest fortune through unbridled spending on material goods. A cautionary tale.

 

“The Taking of Jemima Boone” by Matthew Pearl is the detailed account of the kidnapping by American Indians of Daniel Boone’s daughter and her recovery. But this incident is merely the jumping off point for the seminal events of the Revolution and the movement of the colonists into Kentucky and Ohio. Pearl presents a very balanced picture of all sides. A captivating read!

 

“Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard is another well researched historical work. The story of James Garfield, the reluctant 20th POTUS, and his assassination. He actually died from medical malpractice and some readers may be squeamish with the description of his injuries. This tale Illustrates exactly how hand washing and mask wearing prevent infection.

 

“Beautiful Country” by Qian Julie Wang is a sobering memoir. Wang came to America from China at age 7 with her professor parents who could no longer tolerate the Chinese government. They were “undocumented” in the U.S., leaving them to labor at menial jobs and live in a single room for many years as they worked to improve their circumstances. Wang taught herself English and quickly excelled at school. Read it and have your kids read it.

 

Fictional options 

 

“Matrix” by Lauren Groff is now on my list of best books. Eleanor of Aquitaine banishes 17-year-old Marie to England to run an abbey. She shoulders her task and builds an enterprise. Exquisite writing by one of our best authors.

 

“The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich is loosely based on her grandfather’s life and his work to prevent the government from taking away more Chippewa land. But this story involves a plethora of fascinating characters and includes strains of Erdrich’s trademark spiritualism.

 

“A Calling for Charlie Barnes” by Joshua Ferris is a rollicking life story of Charlie Barnes narrated by his son. This introduced me to metafiction which I still cannot define with confidence. Parts of the story are hilarious, parts are heartbreaking, and ultimately the reader is left to decide the real ending. 

 

“Damnation Spring” by Ash Davidson is a sobering story of a family in the logging industry in 1977 Northern California. These were the early days of environmental contamination issues, though many years after Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring.” Not a carefree read but a solid story that raises important questions.

 

“Bloodless” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The duo’s latest book is set in Savannah and is signature P&C. A tad too much fantasy for me so not my favorite of this pair but a good, quick, gothic mystery.

 

“In Polite Company” by Gervais Hagerty is a debut novel set in Charleston and readers will enjoy the local flavor and peek into old Charleston social mores. A cute, fun read.

 

Go to Beckysbookclub.com for archives of these and all past reviews.