Best Reads- Good Enough To Put Your Life On Hold

By Margaret Petrie-

There are a million sites where you can find book reviews of the newest, glossiest best sellers.  We all know where to find them, however, best sellers are often just that- what is selling best- often due to promotions and PR, rather than a great story.  For most of us, our 'best reads' come from friends; the man sitting next to you on the ferry, your mom, proprietors and patrons of book stores, librarians. Favorite picks, book reviews and book club recommendations cannot replace the enthusiasm of a reader, someone whose idea of ultimate pleasure is reading a book, cover to cover, only interrupted by the necessities of daily living.

Not long ago, when I asked several people what I should read next, all mentioned Cormac McCarthy. So I picked up "All The Pretty Horses."  McCarthy writes boldly, strongly, a confident storyteller whose presumably hairy fist comes right out and pulls you into the heart and heat of Mexico.  Several times I had to stop, get up and fetch a cool drink of water to quench John Grady's thirst.  I showered to get off the grime and dust of the cienaga. 

Disregarding grammar, McCarthy forces you into the mind of his characters- was that a thought or spoken? Hard to tell without comma, quotation marks or other hints of punctuation.  An intriguing method for story and character development, McCarthy has you from page one, by page 100 you are still not sure where he is going, you only know you are committed to the ride.  He shows no mercy.  Spanish, integral to the story, is not conveniently translated.   Hey reader, you are in this with me, figure it out.   

Non-readers have a frequent refrain, "I'd rather live my life than read about it", but no matter how hard I try, I will never be a 16 year-old male, abandoned in a Mexican prison to fight his way out, but boy did I love how my my mind twisted and turned and rooted for him. It had been awhile since I was so engrossed by a novel at page 301, and so wildly let-down by page 302- the teaser, the invitation for the sequel.

What are you reading?  What books keep you up at night; cause you to put your life on hold?  Which ones do you keep on the shelf or pack into a box each time you move?  What have you read, and re-read?   We truly love a good story with characters who get under our skin.  We're desperate for a happy, or even better, an unexpected ending- dark, sweet, twisted or funny.   We hold out hope that good will conquer evil and truth will prevail.