By
Published: Aug 24, 2010
Category: Beyond Classification [3]
“I have looked forward to your e-mails daily for several years,” The Nicest Reader Ever wrote me last week, “and am dreading your summer vacation.”
That makes two of us.
A wish becomes a fact, a fact becomes a habit, and after six years, a habit becomes an addiction. Showing up here four days a week --- I can never imagine stopping. But there came a day, a few weeks ago, when I failed to recognize my wife and didn’t remember the kid’s name….
I’m kidding. But we are going away to an island with no bright lights --- not even any cars (you rent a golf cart). The beaches are sublime and, this time of year, empty. The bag of books and DVDs I’m taking --- good luck to them.
I encourage you, if it’s not broiling where you are, to use the time you might have spent at this site --- and many others --- to get as far from your screens as you can. Summers go fast, and of all the seasons, we miss them the most when they’re gone.
If you absolutely insist on feeding your head, I’ve made a list of my favorite Butler reviews of the last year or so. And then, at the bottom, a few all-time faves. So…..
This Is Not The Story You Think It Is [4]
Laura Munson’s husband wants o-u-t. Laura refuses to let his problem become their problem….
Spies of the Balkans [5]
Alan Furst writes the best pre-World War II thrillers set in Paris. Now he’s moved East. A bit more violence, a lot more sex. (Who’s complaining?)
Anthelios Sun Screen [6]
Protecting your face from sunburn is the least of it. Protecting yourself from cancer --- that is why you spend more money.
Everyday Harumi [7]
It takes 600+ gallons of water to create 8 ounces of beef. Another good reason to learn to cook Japanese food the easy way.
King Arthur Flour [8]
Baking pies? If you use whole grain flour, no one will notice. And you’ll be doing a Good Thing.
Peter Wolf [9]
Any CD that starts “I think I won the fool’s award today” can be expected to go downhill from there. This doesn’t.
Truth [10]
Peter Temple writes thrillers set in Australia. Crime is even more complicated there.
Dead End Gene Pool [11]
Too rich, too thin. Too spoiled, too crazy. Yes, money changes everything.
All-Time Greats
The Tender Bar [12]
J.H. Moehringer’s father opts out, a bar filled with characters opts in. And that’s just the first half of this pitch-perfect memoir.
The Help [13]
Do you really want to wait for the movie?
Amadou & Mariam [14]
Two blind musicians, aided by wacky/brilliant Manu Chao, create a magical open air Sunday concert in Bamako, Mali.
Finally, there are more than 1,000 other choices in the archives. Don’t know where they are? Look at Butler main screen. Just under the logo, you’ll see BOOKS MOVIES MUSIC PRODUCTS. Click on the category, and look around.
As I close up shop, I think of the words of Rumi:
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and right doing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
I second that. See you on September 7th. Until then, take good care……