Heading to the Beach?

We are the Light by Matthew Quick—Lucas Goodgame has survived a terrible disaster, one which has become all too common in this country. The Majestic Theatre in his town of Majestic, Pennsylvania, was attacked by a mentally ill young man, and many were killed, including Lucas’s wife, Darcy. Lucas watches as all the dead become angels and fly away, except for his wife who stays close to him.  We read this novel from Lucas’s point of view through his letters to his psychiatrist, Karl. And through these letters we learn how Lucas is coping, mostly through the kindness of his friends, and eventually through his kindness to a lost teenager, Eli. They plan to make a movie and not only bring the survivors together but restore the theatre as well.

Lucas shows us how he not only survives, but grows as well, and with lots of help, comes to realize the truth of what happened that fateful night. It’s a beautiful story of grief and love and forgiveness.

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Merriweather Post by Alison Pataki—Most of us know about this incredible woman through Post breakfast cereal or by her Hillwood Estate and Gardens. But this novel fills in all the blanks. The daughter of C W Post, she grew up mostly under the tutelage of her father, learning the business and as the business got bigger, she became richer and then richest! This novel covers her life, her many adventures, her love of art, her involvement in the business, her philanthropy and her four marriages, often in haste while repenting at leisure. It’s a fascinating read, leaving my book group with much to discuss.

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn—When this book was suggested to me, all I could picture was Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Diane Keaton and Candace Bergen…with guns. But it was actually more serious and more into the thriller genre than that. Billie, Natalie, Mary Alice and Helen were all recruited into “The Museum” in 1978 as assassins of former Nazis and then generally bad people. 40 years later at age 60 they retired, given a nice pension and treated to a cruise. It is then that they realize they themselves are the target of an assassination from the Museum. They use their honed skills and add the skills of being 60-year-old women, often invisible, to their advantage. They must figure out why they are targeted and how to survive. It’s a good read…certainly a good beach read and surprisingly a page turner.

All That is Mine I Carry with Me by William Landay—It is 1975 and 10-year-old Miranda Larkin comes home to an empty house. Her mother, Jane, has vanished and there are no clues about what happened to her. Her family is questioned, specifically her father, Dan Larkin, a clever lawyer and the chief suspect, but nothing is ever proven and the family lives on in a life of doubt. Most everyone thinks that Dan is the killer but there is no evidence and no body. Twenty years later, the bones of Jane Larkin are found, and the case is reopened. We read this story from the point of view of several of the family members, including a family friend and even Jane herself.

Yes, it is a mystery, but it is also the story of a family torn apart. You may recognize William Landay from Defending Jacob and remember a family torn between love and truth. This is the story of a family torn apart by love and doubt.

The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening by Ari Shapiro–If you are a National Public Radio listener, and tune into All Things Considered, you will recognize Ari Shapiro and his distinctive voice. And now through his new memoir you will learn all about him and the fascinating people he has met along the way.

Born in Fargo, ND, part of the only Jewish family there, Ari and his brother would tour all the classrooms with a dreidel and a menorah and explain Judaism to their classmates. His journey from Fargo, through Portland, OR to Washington DC and NPR where he meets and interviews people from all walks of life is an interesting one. And by the way, he also sings with a band called Pink Martini. Is he a journalist or just a personality? He is both. He has stories to tell, about himself and others that will make you want to keep reading.

Enjoy the beach, the mountains, your porch (hopefully screened in) or wherever you are traveling, but bring along a book!