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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > August > 25 > Entry
Obama’s vacation reads…
President Barack Obama is vacationing with his family on Martha’s Vineyard. Much has been made of the stack of books he brought along to read. Here’s the list:
The Way Home by George Pelecanos. This is excellent crime fiction set in Washington, D.C. Pelecanos was one of the main writers for “The Wire” on HBO. I interviewed him recently for this book. That interview will air on a future date on WYSO.
Lush Life by Richard Price. A novel that is set on New York’s Lower East Side. Price is one of our leading writers of gritty, urban prose.
Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas Friedman. I went to high school with the woman who is married to Tom Friedman. Oh well, that doesn’t get him off the hook. Friedman has always struck me as a big smarty pants know-it-all and he is frequently wrong. This is the dud on the list. If you are one of Friedman’s many fans; sorry.
John Adams by David McCullough. This author makes history accessible to the masses. I interviewed him when the paperback of this book was released. McCullough has that incredible PBS voice. Try to imagine the voice of God…that majestic.
Plainsong by Kent Haruf. A deeply touching novel about a number of characters who are living in a small town on the windswept plains of eastern Colorado. I interviewed Haruf when the paperback came out. He’s an amazing writer. To my taste, this is the best book in the bunch…
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Blowfly
August 26, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
I think he should read Freidman’s book From Beruit to Jerusalem, which I thought was one the best books on the Mid-East I’ve ever read. I’m not such a big fan of his other stuff.By irishguy
August 26, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
IF that’s true, perhaps he should read it again…By Mark from St Paul
August 25, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
Actually, Obama has read it. MEDIA MATTERS: Obama actually said he was “not familiar” with opponents’ false talking point that bill would ban private individual insurance. During a July 20 conference call, a blogger asked Obama to comment on the claim made in the July 15 IBD editorial — which is false — that the bill, in the blogger’s words, “will make individual private medical insurance illegal.” Obama responded, “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you’re talking about.” * That’s what the Heritage Foundation, Limbaugh and Hannity used as their basis for saying he hasn’t read it.By irishguy
August 25, 2009 9:35 PM | Link to this
Maybe he could read the Health Care bill. I know, he’s on vacation…By vick
August 25, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
LMJ, on rare occasions I do agree with Tom Friedman. He has millions of fans. I’m not one of them.By lmj
August 25, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
for what it is worth (you won’t be able to spend it all in one place!) I agree with your assessment of two and would like to hear more from about the third. That being the Friedman book I am listening to on my car drives. I’m almost through disc 5 of 17. Oh, the two I agree with…McCullough and Haruf, of course.