I asked a few of my favorite award-winning and best-selling authors, many with Chicago ties, to give me their summer reading picks. OK, take notes:
Attorney and author Scott Turow called “Physical,” by local author James McManus “a funny and poignant portrait of the author’s trip to the Mayo Clinic.” This fall, look for Turow’s latest novel, “Limitations,” which is an extended version of a piece he wrote originally as a newspaper serial.
Sara Paretsky, creator of the V.I. Warshawski crime mysteries, is revisiting “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. It’s hard to believe that this is the centennial of its publication. “It’s a fascinating look into Chicago’s old meat-packing business,” Paretsky said, “but depressing to know working conditions haven’t changed a lot.” Another book Paretsky recently read and found gripping was “Suite Francaise” by Irene Nemirovsky Paretsky is working on a novel set back in the part of rural Kansas, where she grew up.
Haki Madhubuti, poet, publisher and Chicago State University professor, recommends “Life Out of Context” by Walter Mosley. “I love anything by Walter Mosley,” Madhubuti said. “This one is talking about how to remake the democratic process” to fight injustice and poverty. Another offering is “Concessions of an Economic Hit-Man” by John Perkins, who calls himself a highly paid professional who once cheated poor countries out of trillions of dollars. Madhubuti is working on a non-fiction book called “Freedom to Self-Destruct.”
Chicago native Sandra Cisneros, perhaps best known for the novel “The House on Mango Street,” raves about the debut short story collection “Brides and Sinners in El Chuco” by Christine Granados. Cisneros said Granados tells heartbreaking, hilarious stories about women on the U.S-Mexican border. Cisneros also enjoyed “Voice of Time: A Life in Stories” by Eduardo Galeano. “It gives me joy and pain and makes me weep.” Cisneros is working on a book of vignettes called “Tangos for Tongele.”
Alex Kotlowitz–“There Are No Children Here” and “Never a City So Real”–called the novel “Small Island” by Andrea Levy a gem. “It’s a wonderful, beautifully written book, in the end about identity,” said Kotlowitz, who’s about to begin his next book.
Author Valerie Wilson Wesley was a writer in residence at Columbia College last year. She has two picks, both novels: “Runaway” by Alice Munro and “Cinnamon Kiss” by Walter Mosley. “You can always count on Walter and [his character] Easy Rawlins for a good summer ride,” she said. Wesley has written books for young readers, but she’s perhaps best known for her Tamara Hayle mysteries. Check out her latest novel, “Playing My Mother’s Blues,” now out in paperback
Yolanda Joe is an author, Chicago journalist and a good friend. She recommends “Sanctified Blues” by Mable John. Joe said “Sanctified Blues” is a novel about an R&B singer from the soul era who gives up the doo-wop for the Can I get an amen? Joe’s most recent work is the mystery “VideoCowboys,” newly released in paperback.
Tina McElroy Ansa, another good friend, told me about a fascinating book titled “Beloved Sisters and Loving Friends: Letters from Rebecca Primus of Royal Oak, Maryland, and Addie Brown of Hartford, Connecticut, 1854-1868,” by Farah Jasmine Griffin. “They were freed black woman from different social classes,” Ansa said. “What I love is you get a sense of the everyday minutia of their friendship, their lives and time.” Ansa is working on “Taking After Mudear,” a sequel to her hit second novel, “Ugly Ways.”
Joseph Epstein, author of “Fabulous Small Jews,” was in New York promoting his latest book, “Friendship: An Expose,” when we chatted last week. Epstein said to consider “Tolstoy” by Henri Troyat. “It’s a biography for people who love Leo Tolstoy,” Epstein said, “and as close to a Tolstoy novel as you can get. It’s the best possible substitute and wonderfully intelligent.”
And last, Chicago native Ana Castillo is at work on her new novel, “The Guardians.” She recommends “Because I Said So: 33 Mothers Write About Children, Sex, Men, Aging, Faith, Race & Themselves.” It’s a book of essays that “contains unorthodox views on motherhood.”
But there’s nothing at all unorthodox about these summer picks.
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