Are you still in a stupor from too much turkey and binge-watching the Gilmore Girls return series? Wake up with Lauren Graham’s (Lorelei) new memoir, Talking as fast as I can : from Gilmore girls to Gilmore girls, and everything in between. It’s also available in an audiobook read by the author and the reviews say that’s the only way to experience it.
As I was returning my library books today, I realized I am reading quite eclectically these days. I had Colin Dickey’s Ghostland : an American history in haunted places, left over from my Halloween reading, and the teen novel All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brenden Kiely. Part informational narrative, part travelogue, Ghostland chronicles the history of ghosts in America and where they are seen. Many of the places mentioned are open to the public and Dickey includes multiple places in Detroit including the oldest bar in town, the Two-Way Inn. It’s fascinating and if you like Erik Larson or even Bill Bryson, I think you’ll enjoy it.
All American Boys, a 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book, and recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature, deals with a timely topic. Rashad is unjustly 
accused of shoplifting and he is beaten by a police officer. There is video of the incident and there is a witness, his classmate Quinn. Quinn doesn’t want to believe what he sees. The cop, Paul, is his best friend’s brother and Quinn’s own mentor since the death of his father. Paul is accused of racial brutality, the media becomes involved, and kids at their school start to take sides. Soon Paul and Rashad have to face the uncomfortable truth that racism in America is alive and well and they must come forward. Reynolds and Kiely deftly examine the complexity of the situation and each person’s viewpoint. It’s a must read.
I think I will look for some lighter reading for the holiday season….
