Books for September Reading

The Racketeer  by John Grisham  (2013) (audio)
Malcolm Bannister is a lawyer in private practice who gets caught up in a scheme devised by  a racketeer, ensuring that Malcolm is sent to jail for 10 years.  Even though he is in a minimum security prison he has lost his family, his career and his reputation which will drastically change his life once he is released.  While in prison he “practices” law, helping other prisoners with their cases.  One prisoner, who is trying to get his sentence reduced, confesses to a crime of murdering a federal judge.  Malcolm uses this information as his get-out-of -jail plan.  The intricacy of what happens next is fascinating, complex and well thought out.  There were times in the story that I wanted to shout at the narrator (and Malcolm), “No, no, that’s a bad idea.”  I really did not think he was making good decisions.  While this may not be Grisham’s best book and at times was confusing, it was a good read (listen).  It made me very aware of what imprisonment would be like and how important advance planning would be as a way out.   ~ Recommended by Sue

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino / Translated by Alexander O. Smith (2011)
In Japan, Yasuko Hanaoka and her daughter, Misato, have murdered Togashi, Yasuko's ex-husband. Ishigami, the loner theoretical mathematician next door, knows. An intricate plan is developed by Ishigami to deceive the police. Detective Kusanagi knows something is not quite right, and engages his friend, Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physics professor, to untangle the facts. The professor knows Ishigami from their years at university. Using this knowledge, logic, and some detecting of his own, the professor analyzes each fact of the case. Is this the perfect murder that thwarts Yukawa, Kusanagi, and everyone else? The intricate reasoning that Ishigami and Yukawa balance back and forth is an entertaining and intriguing tale with twists and surprises.    ~ Recommended by Connie

The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout (2013)
The Burgess Boys, Elizabeth Strout's latest novel, explores the relationship of three siblings and the event that shaped their lives.  The Burgesses grew up in Shirley Falls, Maine but the boys left as soon as they became adults and never wanted to go back.  Their sour, depressed sister Susan stayed behind to marry, then divorce and raise her son alone.  It’s a horrific act her son commits that brings the siblings together again, demons and all.  The siblings' combative nature strains their already tenuous relationship but its the ties of family that keep them coming back to support each other.  Strout's writing is observant and honest, and her story is full of flawed characters.  Fans of Jane Smiley and Kent Haruf will enjoy this latest from a Pulitzer Prize winning author.   ~ Recommended by Sheila