Thursday, February 4, 2010

January’s Best Reads

Complications, by Atul Gawande. Non-fiction look at the medical profession, and the relationship between doctors and patients, written by a surgeon who readily admits he, and his peers, don't have all the answers. Timely reading, considering the current debate over health care and costs. Gawande has an easy style which keeps what could become a chore to read moving along nicely. Recommended for all, but especially if you or someone close has a medical issue on the horizon.

Deadwood, by Pete Dexter. Written well before the HBO series, it can be assumed David Milch read this before doing the show. Dexter sets the atmosphere perfectly through the voice, with most of the story told through the eyes of Wild Bill Hickok's friend, Charley Utter. Every character—save one—actually existed, though Dexter fabricated most of the events to suit his purposes. One of those books I started reading slower toward the end, to delay getting there.

Gun Monkeys, by Victor Gischler. I caught Gischler at a Bouchercon panel last year and asked him which of his books he'd recommend as a starting place for someone unfamiliar with his work; this was his suggestion. Smart man. Reads like Mickey Spillane with a sense of humor, just enough Carl Hiaasen to provide a girlfriend who's a taxidermist. Old-fashioned pulp for the 21st Century.

4 comments:

Charlieopera said...

Dexter is one of America's true gems. I highly recommend reading ALL his works. He's wonderful. The collection of his articles are wonderful as well.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Reading Train by Dexter right now. Amazing. Loved THE PAPERBOYS and PARIS, TROUT, too.

Charlieopera said...

I agree Patti ... amazing. His personal story is pretty amazing too. Something like "all" his bones have been broken. One time many were broken from a beating he caught in a Philly bar while he was doing some investigative reporting. He's a genuine tough guy (for real); doesn't back down from anything/anybody.

I'm pretty sure Dexter had HUGE issues with Milch's HBO Deadwood (which I also thought was brilliant and will never forgive Milch for leaving us hanging).

Both sets of Deadwood were dynamite.

Anonymous said...

Rather cool place you've got here. Thanks the author for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read more soon.

Sincerely yours