So You've Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson (2015)

An interesting look at the relatively recent phenomenon of public shaming via the internet. Ronson explores several recent stories in the news, including his own experiences, that of discredited journalist Jonah Lehrer, and people such as Justine Sacco and Lindsey Strong. 

Although the topic really intrigued me--particularly the element of anonymity that seems to fuel this shaming--I was uneasy about how he dismissed the idea of a difference between shaming of women and men. The fact is that with public shaming of women there is often a sexually aggressive and violent aspect that is horrifying. His perspective felt a bit male privilegey to me. (Note to self: Find a good feminine perspective on this issue.) 

It's a very quick read and interesting enough as a cultural study of modern shaming (despite a rather irrelevant digression into pornography). Ronson is most successful when he compares internet shamings to old-school, colonial ignominy (think stocks and pillories). An awfully scary analogy, if you ask me.

Peyton Place by Grace Metalious (1956)

Absolutely fascinating reading.

 First published in 1956 and still shocking, this book has it all: incest, murder, thinly veiled homosexuality, overbearing mothers, illegal abortions, people getting their arms ripped off in a funhouse. (Yeah, you heard me.)

The writing is actually much better than I expected and dang if she doesn't get small towns and the gossip so right. I love how the narrative just goes from door to door, from character to character. 

The book is also pretty fascinating as a piece of racial history. There's a lot of the casual use of the n-word, and there's a very strange scene where the doctor, a curmudgeon but still sort of a hero, tells a pretty foul racist joke, and it made me wonder--what would it be like if that section was excised altogether? What is more important, the integrity of the original narrative, or making a novel palatable to modern sensibilities?

I think this would be a fabulous book for book clubs to discuss--particularly as it's coming up on its 60th anniversary.

Thank You, Goodnight: A Novel by Andy Abramowitz (2015)

Teddy Tremble was the singer of a band that had a one-hit wonder in the 1990s. Almost forty, he's settling into life as a lawyer when he gets a call from old friend, which brings him to a small town in Switzerland. And guess what? His band is HUGE among a quirky group of young people in this town, which rekindles his love for creating music. 

I love the way Abramowitz writes about making music--it's so wonderfully evocative. His voice is also tremendously funny and has a great turn of phrase. It's one of those novels that you want to read aloud to anyone who will listen. Unexpected and lovely fun.

The Perfect Fit by Louise Kean (2007)

Subtitled "Fat-Free Dreams Just Don't Taste the Same", I picked this up at my favorite junk shop (Practical Collectables and Antiques) in Two Harbors. 

We meet Sunny Weston after she has shed a good amount of weight and is taking up with her longtime work crush who finally notices her. But guess what? Things are not everything she thought they would be when she was thin. Then, she meets a mysterious man (while saving a child from kidnapping). 

The story is not the point here, nor is the romantic relationship or the characters. What's fascinating about this book is Sunny's own relationship with her body and her weight loss. This is some of the best writing I've ever read on a woman's relationship with her body and her weight. Fascinating. It's unsurprising that the author used her own weight loss as inspiration for this novel--her story is so incredibly well-told and authentic.

Day Four by Sarah Lotz (2015)

Chilling horror(ish) tale about a cruise that goes terribly wrong. The ship stops moving, the plumbing stops functioning, the power is sporadic and all goes to heck. But is there something more than simply ship malfunction at fault? 

A racial and culturally diverse cast of characters include a famous psychic, the blogger determined to debunk her work, two old ladies determined to end it all on the ship, and the cruise ship employees with their own mega-dramas. Suspenseful, atmospheric and beautifully constructed. 

Day Four reminded me of Stephen King (high praise), particularly his novels that focus on humanity's last stand such as The Stand and The Mist. Great summer fun that will make you want to never, ever take a cruise.