May 29, 2009 — Book critic Alan Cheuse recommends seven works of poetry and fiction for the dog days of summer. Hit the road, wander the great American desert or play violin with Beethoven. Whatever you decide to read, these books will make perfect companions for this summer's hot, sultry nights.
n p r n e w s
on:
NCPR is supported by:
This is a Visitor-Supported website.
More from NPR
Jun 19, 2013 — Members of Congress are pushing the Justice Department to preserve flights to small- and medium-sized cities from Reagan National Airport amid a review of the proposed merger of US Airways and American Airlines. Changes there could affect flights for lawmakers themselves.
Jun 19, 2013 — Profits for the nation's carmakers are on the rise, but after years of doing more with less, higher profits are unlikely to translate into significant numbers of new jobs. There are eight fewer plants and hundreds of thousands fewer workers in the industry than before the Great Recession.
Jun 19, 2013 — The account has gained more than 100,000 followers worldwide in less than six months. Followers, who represent a wide variety of professions and religions, are convinced the language of the ancient Romans is perfectly suited to 21st century social media.
Jun 19, 2013 — A keen eye and extensive knowledge of feathers allows forensic ornithologist Carla Dove (yes, that's her name) figure out from feather and bone fragments which type of bird crashed into a plane or was eaten by a snake. But the expertise has an uncertain future.
Jun 19, 2013 — More than 1,000 people were killed in the factory collapse in Bangladesh in April. Spanish companies were among those whose clothes were made at the facility. But there's a clash between the allure of low-cost fast fashion and consumer awareness of working conditions. A Spanish artist is doing her bit: She's drawing attention to workers' plight.
'Lark & Termite' ()
Alan Cheuse's Summer Book Picks
by Alan Cheuse
May 29, 2009 — Book critic Alan Cheuse recommends seven works of poetry and fiction for the dog days of summer. Hit the road, wander the great American desert or play violin with Beethoven. Whatever you decide to read, these books will make perfect companions for this summer's hot, sultry nights.
You know the song by The Jamies: "Summertime, summertime, sum sum summertime" When we sing or hum it, we joyously celebrate good old American hell-with-it-all anti-intellectualism. As The Jamies say, "Well shut the books and throw 'em away. And say goodbye to dull school days."
Except that most of us who care deeply for our lives open the books whenever we find the time, and summer usually offers more time than other seasons.
So, twist The Jamies' lyric a little bit is what I say: Say goodbye to dull school days, and consider some of these recommendations for books that, in some cases, I've been storing up during the winter to pass along to you for the coming summer months.
Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.9(MDAxNzgwMTg5MDEyMTQ4Nzc4MjdiNWVmMw004))
'Sonata Mulattica'
Sonata Mulattica, by Rita Dove. Hardcover, 224 pages, Norton. List Price: $24.95
'Lark & Termite'
Lark & Termite, by Jayne Anne Phillips, Hardcover, 272 pages, Knopf, List price: $24
'Shannon: A Poem of the Lewis and Clark Expedition'
Shannon: A Poem of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, by Campbell McGrath, Hardcover, 128 pages, Ecco, List Price: $23.99
'The Servants' Quarters'
The Servants' Quarters, by Lynn Freed, Hardcover, 256 pages, Norton, List Price: $24
'The Increment'
The Increment, by David Ignatius. Hardcover, 400 pages, W.W. Norton & Co. List Price: $26.95
'Road Dogs'
Road Dogs, by Elmore Leonard, Hardcover, 272 pages, Morrow, List Price: $26.99
'In Other Rooms, Other Wonders'
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin, Hardcover, 256 pages, W.W. Norton & Co., List price: $23.95
Missing some content? Check the source: NPR
Copyright(c) 2013, NPR
