Products |
Summer’s Greatest Hits (2006)
By
Published: Jun 01, 2006
Category:
Beyond Classification
We’ve been hopping around all summer: Aspen, La Jolla, now Nantucket.
It’s been fascinating to see what books/movies/music work in new places. As a general rule, I believe in doing my heaviest reading (and thinking) in good weather on a beach or a porch. My theory: This stuff is hard, often not pleasant work. Best to do it in beautiful surroundings.
This summer we’ve spent long stretches in places of exceptional beauty. With no crowds. And modest schedules. I’ve had time to read — and re-read. Listen — and hit replay. And certain stuff emerged as just better. That is, more satisfying. Meaningful. Even transcendent. To me, anyway.
See if my best of summer choices resonate for you:
The Foreign Correspondent
Alan Furst is the master of European suspense. His books are always set on the eve of World War II. They always involve credible characters, This time, there’s even some pretty good sex.
Goodbye, Columbus
A hot summer in New Jersey. A hotter romance between a poor Rutgers grad and a rich Radcliffe girl. Think of this as "Love Story" for Jews — and as the book that established Philip Roth.
Life’s Little Annoyances
Don’t get mad, get even. These stories will inspire you to get your revenge. The dream gift book.
Stumbling on Happiness
There are those who say The Long Tail is the thought-provoking non-fiction book of the summer. I prefer Dan Gilbert’s witty book about all the ways we avoid happiness.
A Sense of the World
A great adventure tale that’s inspiring without being movie-of-the-week corny.
My Life in France
Julia Child’s memoir. Luminous about food and France. Even better on love and dedication.
Eat, Pray, Love
I didn’t flip for Elizabeth Gilbert’s stay in Italy. And I didn’t much care that she found love in Indonesia. But her search for God in an Indian ashram is thrilling.
Ben Harper
A two-CD celebration of excessive talent. One rocks, the other doesn’t. Both are powerful and moving.
Tom Petty
With the sunroof open and the volume up, I feel…oh….30. On the iPod , at the gym, I become 30.
Cesaria Evora
She lives on a sand-blasted island. On this island, she’s a gentle, romantic breeze.
Sandy Bull
No words. Just classics from around the world, by a master guitarist. Surf music of the gods.
Radio Tarifa
Spain and North Africa meet here. Exotic and trippy, it will reliably take you…somewhere.
Mulatu Astatke
Memphis jazz transported to Ethiopia, circa 1970. Be the first on your block. Amaze your friends.
