Miscellaneous
This was given to me by a friend who bought a box of books at a Yard Sale and thought that I'd like it. I've read a lot of Burke's books over the years - especially most of his Dave Robichaux series - and enjoyed most of them. This is Burke's first published work and reads like three different short stories that he reworked. You get the last in the line of former Louisiana landowners who has an alcohol problem; a dirt-poor boy with a talent for playing guitar who hits the big time and drugs; and a black dock worker who boxes on the side but gets badly hurt and then framed for a robbery. These are stereotypes in Burke's books and, when he merges the stories it gets very depressing. Still, Burke's strengths are here - his characters, dialogue, and the descriptions of everyday lives ring true. It was OK.
Trans Atlantic - Colum McCann ($12.00/$3.99, copyright 2013, 304 pages, Trade Paperback)
I've read a few of McCann's books before and - for the most part - enjoyed them. This one is a collection of short (and not so short) stories about crossings from America to Ireland and vice versa that he tries to tie together into a novel. It begins with an utterly compelling account of the first transatlantic plane flight that describes the perils of what they went through. The second chapter is about Frederick Douglas's visit to Ireland during the early days of the Great Famine, which was interesting but a bit too long. Then, for me, it became a struggle. The George Mitchell chapter made me put it down for a while but the last few chapters - the crossing from Ireland to America - saved things. McCann can write and there are parts of this book that were a pleasure to read. It was OK.
A Pirate Looks At Fifty - Jimmy Buffett ($15.00/$3.99, copyright 1998, 420 pages, Trade Paperback)
I’ve been a fan of Buffett’s music for a long time. Some of it's funny and some of it's not but I have a good time when I listen (see what I did there?). Buffet wrote this as an autobiography/travelogue type of book to celebrate his 50th Birthday (Christmas Day, 1996). He talks about his family, his early years, his wild days of drug and alcohol abuse, and his struggles to make it in the music industry. He doesn’t gloss over the fact that his fame and popularity leave him with the money and connections to do whatever he wants to, but he does not flaunt it, either. It is simply the way it is.The writing is simple and straightforward, and fun to read. I enjoyed it.
So ... that's it for now. The weather report says that we're in for more seasonal weather. I did notice, driving around today, that the leaves are really starting to fall. I'm not sure what my Granddaughter is going to be dressed as for Halloween but I'm sure she'll be cute.
Next up - November. Until then ..........
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