Editorial: What we're reading and loving lately

I haven't written about what books we're reading since the end of June, and we're already almost at the end of October. Me first. I just finished listening to a raucous, leaping-back-and-forth mystery published in August: "Squeeze Me," by Carl Hiaasen, so of course it takes place in southern Florida. Rich people are the villains. So are various Burmese pythons. And it takes place in Florida in 2020, so the current (unnamed) president is highly visible – and Secret Service agents hurtle all over the place. Hiaasen doesn't like the current president. It's nutty. And because the Auburn Library is now open for perusing, I have left there twice with books that have leapt into my hands almost without my realizing it, while I'm gazing at the books next to the ones I end up checking out. Among them: "The Book of Delights," by poet Ross Gay. This is not a book of poetry. Instead, he decided to write a diary of sorts – "a daily essay about something delightful." He'd start on his birthday and end on his birthday a year later, and see what happened. What happened, of course, was that paying attention to what delighted him taught him that, "The more you study delight, the more delight there is to study. … I felt my life to be more full of delight." It's a charming book. Maybe I'll buy it. Or … write my own. Mike Holmes emailed me: "I have been reading 'The Splendid and The Vile,' by Erik Larson. It covers the first year of Winston Churchill's term as Prime Minister in 1940-41 and includes many details about his family and how they were reacting to the Nazi Blitz. A good deal of concern about a Nazi invasion of Britain. The author also covers what was happening on the Nazi side. "… Anyone interested in WW II history will find this book well worth the read." Ralph Petri recently recommended a book he admires: " 'Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy,' by Margaret Sullivan. It's a short 100-page read. I spent a lot of time thinking, 'Susan would love this ... would sure agree with this, etc., etc., e.g., page 26 – 'Journalism is what someone doesn't want you to know. The rest is advertising.' " The book bemoans the demise of thousands of local newspapers. So do I. Ralph also highly recommends "West with the Wind," by Beryl Markham. "If you've not read Markham's book, put it on your list." I think I have it somewhere. I'll dig it out. And remember that a while ago, I asked for bookstore stories. I shared those I quickly received, and then several came trickling in. Here they are: Peggy Dunievitz shared that she visited the town in Wales that is packed with bookstores. She said she loves the place but didn't buy any books … how could she say yes to one bookstore and no to all the others? Besides, she didn't have room in her suitcase. This was Hay-on-Wye, population 1,500, with 35 bookstores. Bob Haydon was the one who first told me about that heavenly place. Horsewoman Suzy McMinn shared, "I love The Bookery in Placerville. … Everyone there goes out of their way to help and serve you. "I like The Book Cellar in Lincoln. This store is welcoming and accommodating with nooks to sit and peruse their delightful book offerings. They never rush or hurry you, you are welcome to enjoy their beautiful decor. "And, for the biggest variety of any bookstore south of Portland, Oregon, I found Bookman's in Tucson, Arizona, fascinating. I always need several sacks to carry all the book bargains I found." A Pilot Hill denizen for 19 years, and 25 in Truckee before that, Kathleen Curtis loved Truckee River Books and Tea, once owned by pro baseball player Tom Mechery, "a great guy. I loved it. It introduced a wonderful series of books to kids – Tintin. It was a really nice experience. Ruth Hall managed the tea shop part of the store." I remember Tintin from my French classes in eighth grade. Could never figure out what was going on! Karen Killebrew emailed: "One of the things I enjoy while traveling is picking up books by local authors. While traveling the coastal islands of Georgia and South Carolina in March, I picked up several delicious local reads at Righton Books on St. Simon's Island. The owner went out of her way to introduce me to some of her favorite local authors. "We loved this sign in the window of Bookmark in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada: 'What I say is, a town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore, it knows it's not foolin' a soul.' – Neil Gaiman" This reminds me of the sign I saw outside of Winston Smith, here in Auburn: "You just passed a bookstore! Are you OK?" OK: now it's your turn. What are you reading and loving lately? And share your favorite bookstore. Email me at the address below. Susan Rushton's opinion column appears regularly in the Auburn Journal. Her email address is goldcountrydenizens@gmail.com.