Nevermore: I See You've Called in Dead, The Cause, Fabulous Thru-Hike

 

Nevermore 7-21-26

 

Reported by Rita

I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney

Bud Stanley is an obituary writer who is afraid to live. Yes, his wife recently left him for a “far more interesting” man. Yes, he goes on a particularly awful blind date with a woman who brings her ex. And yes, he has too many glasses of Scotch one night and proceeds to pen and publish his own obituary. The newspaper wants to fire him. But now the company’s system has him listed as dead. And the company can’t fire a dead person. The ensuing fallout forces him to realize that life may be actually worth living. As Bud awaits his fate at work, his life hangs in the balance. Given another shot by his boss and encouraged by his best friend, Tim, a worldly and wise former art dealer, Bud starts to attend the wakes and funerals of strangers to learn how to live.

I thought this was good. The story was interesting and humorous, but also sad. I recommend it.     -WJ      5 stars

 

The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents, 1773-1783 by Joseph J. Ellis

Ellis explores the complexities of the American Revolution, challenging romanticized narratives and highlighting the diverse motivations behind the conflict.

This was well-written. It's less about the making of America and more about the money problems in Europe.      -AH      5 stars

  

A Fabulous Thru-Hike: 3,100 Miles on the Continental Divide Trail by Derick Lugo

New York City native Derick Lugo’s life changed in 2012 when he spontaneously decided to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. In the years that followed, he became an advocate for the outdoors and eventually set out on his second thru-hike--this time on the Continental Divide Trail, one of the most challenging long trails in the world.

It's good and quite funny.      -CD      4 stars

 

 

Other Books Mentioned

 

King's Mountain by Sharyn McCrumb

Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Close to Home by John McPherson

Tough Guy by Rachel Reid

Upon a Starlit Tide by Nell Woods

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier by David Yeager

 

 

New Books

 

The Family Dynamic by Susan Dominus

The Yankee Sphinx by Mark Frost

I Am Not a Robot by Joanna Stern

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite