The Easy Book Club

The Scott Richards
Easy Book Club!

The Easy Book Club. No meetings, no dues, no assignments. Just great books for great listeners who love relaxing with a good book!

What we're reading right now....

"The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski is a book of the year, perhaps THE book of the year. Edgar Sawtelle was born without the ability to speak, but he is an otherwise intelligent, communicative young man. Set in Wisconsin in the early 1970's, the story involves the Sawtelle family and the dogs they breed on their farm. The Sawtelle family life is settled and comfortable, until a wayward brother returns, and then nothing, as they say, will ever be the same. It is a poignant, beautifully crafted story of mystery, relationship, and the oftentimes heartbreaking moments of life. I have never read anything that so marvelously captures the way a dog might think, or the pure connection that may exist between dog and owner. "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" isn't a book about a boy and his dog. It is a book about a boy, his family, his relationship with his dogs, and the awful things that sometimes happen in our lives. While it can be tragic, ultimately "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is a beautiful story indeed. (sr Aug08)

One of our all time favorite motion
picture stars. A new biography about Doris Day that is respectful, detailed, and very entertaining. Subtitled "the Untold Story of The Girl Next Door", this book doesn't gloss over what some may consider the negative aspects of her personality, but rather paints a full and complete portrait of a real, and at times complicated person. After all, who among us is as sunny and bright as the characters Doris Day portrayed. There's nothing here that diminishes the work of Doris Day, or in anyway reduces the admiration of her fans. Fans will love it, and those looking for a solid biography of one of the most popular personalities of the 50's and 60's will enjoy too. (sr-July 08)

(the new biography inspired me to give another listen to the MUSIC of Doris Day. This CD is a wonderful collection clearly demonstrating
Doris Day's talents)

True account of a hideous murder and
the search for the culprit by one of England's first
true Detectives. Reads like a mystery thriller, but is in fact
a true history. While the murderer is revealed in the
latter half of the book, the intrigue
doesn't really end until the last
page....or beyond. Not only is the murder of Road Hill House at the center of this book, but also the coming of age of the modern
detective. First rate. (sr-June08)

Previous Selections:

"The Rosetta Key" by William Dietrich is the follow up novel to "Napoleon's Pyramids". Ethan Gage is back, our American Adventurer in Egypt, Paris, and The Holy Land. Napoleon is back too, along with all sorts of trouble in a search for a secret book of wisdom. Ethan Gage is a smart, resourceful, funny fellow who is destined to be in deep trouble followed by fanciful narrow escapes. "The Rosetta Key" is a mile a minute blast of historical fiction.
(sr May 2008)

So Brave, Young, and Handsome by Leif Enger is the long awaited follow up to "Peace Like A River", his first novel (and our first ever selection in the Easy Radio Book Club). While this story is less mystical than his first, Enger clearly has a magical way with a story and the tone he creates. It feels richly colored. These are people we want to know, even the less than savory ones. They are all full and vibrant, and the tale told is full of hope and passion. Monte Becket is a frustrated writer, with just one book under his belt. His life is interrupted when Glen Dobie drifts by his Minnesota Farm standing in a row boat. From there, it's a cross country adventure, set in the early days of the century. Highly recommended. (sr-April 2008)

"Rome 1960" by David Maraniss is a fascinating study of the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
Part sports history, part social history, part biography, this is a richly detailed story of people,
events, and a dramatically changing era.

"Someone Knows My Name" by Lawrence Hill is an emotionally intense story of one young African Girl stolen from her village, then sold(several times) into slavery. Set in the late 1700's, the story begins in Africa and travels through South Carolina, New York City, Nova Scotia, London, and more. Told in a matter of fact manner, it is one of the most powerful human stories I've ever read. (sr-April 2008)

"World Made by Hand" by James Howard Kunstler. Set in the near future, the world has gone through destruction and cataclysmic disaster, but humanity goes on. One small New York community lives much as our ancestors did, without cars and television, but with hard work and people helping each other. Murder, mystery and troubled relationships remain however, which are the heart of this solid book. Rather than feel like a science fiction future story, "World Made by Hand" feels like a story set in the 1800's of a new country. (sr-April 2008)

"Charlatan" by Pope Brock is the almost unbelievable true story of Dr. John Brinkley. Set in the early days of the depression through the advent of WWII, he was a "doctor" and seller of snake oil treatments, including the Goat "gonads" surgery that had men from all over the country running to his Kansas or Texas hospital. Amazing what people fell for in those days. Then again, it's amazing what people still fall for these days if it means the possibility of a longer life. (sr-April 08)

The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson. This new novel has been described as "gothic "compelling" and "Southern". It's all of those and more. A complicated family, a young girl dead in a pool, and a mysterious neighbor are all part of this passionate novel. New in March 2008. (sr)	Agent ZigZag by Ben MacIntyre is the true story of a British Double Agent. It reads like an Ian Fleming mystery, but it's far more intriguing because this is the real life of Eddie Chapman during WWII. (sr-Feb 2008)	"Cheer" by Kate Torgovnick" is a surprising look at the world of competitive college cheerleading. These are well conditioned athletes competing for national honors. The book follows four teams on their quest for the nationals. Developing personal connections to members of each team, Torgovnick brings us a completely different perspective than what we see at ball games. (sr-March08)
The Bloody Shirt by Stephen Budiansky is a harsh reminder of the cruelty of the years after the Civil War and through Reconstruction. The south may have lost the war, but they quickly re-grouped to eliminate civil rights for newly freed blacks, and put violent pressure on all who opposed their belief in white supremacy. An excellent piece of history written in a passionate manner. Highly recommended	"L.A. Outlaws" by T. Jefferson Parker is the latest suspense novel from this NY Times bestselling author. There are tons of new mystery thrillers published every year, but it takes a good one like this to keep the genre healthy and vibrant. Suzanne Jones is a modern day Robin Hood...sort of. A history teacher and a thief...and now caught in the middle of a jewel caper and Mexican gangsters. Set aside a good chunk of time, because once started, this book won't let you stop. If you love a good mystery suspense novel, this one is a sure bet. (SR)	"The Telephone Gambit" by Seth Shulman is a true history of the invention of the telephone, but it's not what you think. Did Alexander Graham Bell steal the idea for the Telephone? This book says probably so, and lays out the case logically and with plenty of background information. It reads like a mystery or a fictional treasure hunt, but it's all based on fact. A great, fast paced historical read. (sr)
"Downtown" by Ferrol Sams is, for me, the long awaited new book from one of my all time favorites. This is a rich, fabulous southern story of one small town in Georgia. The characters and stories are funny and filled with great wit and wisdom. I love the books of Ferrol Sams and this latest is no disappointment! (SR-August 2007)	"The Bestiary" by Nicholas Christopher is about an ancient book depicting the animals refused entry on Noah's Ark. All kinds of mythical creatures are described in the Caravan Bestiary, if in fact, it exists. The search for the book is primary to the story but there's much more involved, including ancient history, modern history, ancient family, modern family, and a great deal of world travel. A totally engaging and captivating book that is full of poetic prose and mystical events. Unlike any other historical fiction, The Bestiary is fantastic.	November 2007 Southern Fatality, T. Lynn Ocean's third novel, is the first in a series about Jersey Barnes. She's a security expert who is trying to retire but agrees to work on a case for her Boyfriend. Set in Wilmington, NC, "Southern Fatality" is a quick moving, funny, sharp mystery. When she makes the bestseller list (and she will with great books like this) we'll be proud to say we knew her when she was starting her proud career.