Summer Reading: For something dark, for your inner child, and for a little humor

Three MORE from my bookshelf to yours

By Kali Downer

For something dark...

We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

I have recommended this book to several friends who took my advice only to call me 25 pages into the book to say, "REALLY?"

Really. I always respond by saying that you must make it at least 100 pages into what is truly a dense and slow-building novel before making the decision to put it down. For those who have proceeded, not one has thrown in the towel and all have called me immediately after finishing the last page to appropriately say, "we need to talk about Kevin".

More than a handful of accomplished authors have attempted to take on the story of a Columbine-like school massacre and having read a few of them myself, I can attest to the fact that none of them even comes close to Shriver's masterpiece. The book is told through a series of letters from Kevin's mother to her estranged husband following their son's incarceration for killing 7 of his classmates and a teacher at his school. The letters are reflections on their life as a family - beginning with the early stages of their relationship prior to having children - and leading all the way to the present day as she visits their son in prison. Strikingly, readers are often taken on two separate journeys depending on their point of view. Some will see this novel as the story of a mother's ineptitude and inability to form a genuine bond and loving relationship with her child, while others will view it as the tale of an inherently evil little boy gone terribly wrong from birth - it is the ultimate manifestation of the Nature vs. Nurture debate.

Like I said, this is densely written (some might even call it pretentious and self-indulgent) prose. However, for those who can power through the first 100 pages, the rest of the book is supremely fast-paced, suspenseful, and manages to pull off a shocking twist late in the game. For anyone looking for a thought-provoking and conversation-worthy read, this is a must.

For your inner child, poet, and a mystical read...

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

There is something magical about this novel. It is rare to find a book that covers such deeply heart-breaking topics (the death of a child, long-standing family tensions, and the tragic dissolution of the bond between twins), yet manages to tell the story in a poetic and almost innocent prose. While the book is not explicitly told from the point of view of a child, it invites the reader into the emotions and naive interpretations of the world of the two protagonists, seven-year old twins, Estha and Rahel.

Set in Kerala, India during the 1960's the backdrop to the story enhances the exotic, mysterious, and suspenseful tone as Roy artfully unfolds the details of the tragic event that changed everything for the family. Even for readers who are not particularly fond of such stylized writing, the pace and plot of the novel carry enough weight to stand on their own and entertain anyone who enjoys an intricately detailed story with strong characters.

Many times when I read a book that has me thoroughly captivated I forget that I am reading and just get lost in the story. While I very much appreciate this quality in books, what I love about this book is that it never makes you forget that you're reading, because it's so beautifully crafted. Every word seems deliberate and meaningful. It is a unique and refreshing quality that makes for an incredible read.

For a funny and creative take on a tough topic...

I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse? by Suzy Becker

I think for a writer and cartoonist, the most devastating tool that could be taken from you would be your brain. For Suzy Becker, that is exactly what happened. After spending several years battling seizures, which she believed to be stress-related, she finally sought medical attention leading to the discovery of a brain tumor.

What follows is a surprisingly light-hearted and humorous account of how she battled her way back to her old self following brain surgery. Becker chronicles her struggles with recovery in terms of losing words and phrases she always knew, re-developing her sense of humor, and trying to maintain a healthy and productive relationship with her partner-turned-caretaker.

This is an inspirational, feel-good read that puts everyday problems in perspective in a witty and creative format.

EDITOR's NOTE: The links take the reader to the Amazon site where by clicking on the book cover shown on the left will enable readers to scan a few pages of each.