The Tribune | Weekend | 19
Friday, August 19, 2016
books White House releases Obama’s summer reading list
T
he White House released President Barack Obama’s summer reading list as the first family vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a mix of prize-winning novels and the memoir of a surfer who spent much of his childhood in Hawaii, something the president can appreciate. The five books are “Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life” by William Finnegan, “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead, “H is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald, “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins, and “Seveneves” by Neal Stephenson. Finnegan’s book won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for biography or autobiography by an American author. It’s a book about his obsession with surfing and where it has taken him in
the world. A New York Times book review said: “There isn’t a line the most mischievous critic could single out for ridicule.” “The Underground Railroad” tells the story of Cora, a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia and her bid for freedom. Oprah’s Book Club recently named Whitehead’s book its newest selection. “H is for Hawk” won the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2014 and the Costa Book of the Year award. The book tells the author’s story of the year she spent training a hawk after her father’s death. NPR in a book review last year described “The Girl on the Train” as perfectly paced, from its arresting beginning to its twist ending; it’s not an easy book to put down.” “Seveneves” is a science fiction thriller that tells the story
Behind Closed Doors’ is gripping domestic thriller review The domestic thriller genre is based on a simple theme — sometimes the worst terror comes not from strangers but from those closest to us. That premise receives a gripping workout in BA Paris’ terrifying and often realistic debut. “Behind Closed Doors,” a best-seller last year in the UK, is now receiving its US launch. Grace Harrington expected a happily-ever-after ending when she married successful, charming and handsome Jack Angel after a whirlwind romance. Besides, they aren’t the only couple who decided to wed a few months after
they met, nor are they the only ones who married without having first slept together. Jack seems perfect, especially because he genuinely seems to care about Grace’s 17-yearold sister, Millie, who has Down’s syndrome. But Grace discovers on their wedding night that Jack is only interested in the facade of perfection that his new wife brings to the marriage. By day, she is a virtual prisoner in her bedroom in the couple’s pristine mansion in Spring Eaton, England. Grace knows she has to obey Jack’s every demand and keep up appearances, especially
Publishers Weekly best-sellers The Associated Press (Week ending 8/7/2016, powered by Nielsen Bookscan)
of efforts to preserve human society in the wake of apocalyptic events on Earth. The White House traditionally releases Obama’s reading list as the first family vacations in Martha’s Vineyard. They are about halfway through the vacation that began late Saturday. FEATURES WRITER Associated Press when they have guests for dinner. “Behind Closed Doors” alternates between the couple’s past and present, showing how relentless intimidation has affected Grace. Once a bright, independent executive whose job took her around the world, she is soon reduced to timidity. Jack has made it clear that he will hunt her down and harm Millie if Grace leaves him. Jack’s constant haranguing sometimes makes him resemble a villain from a melodrama who has come looking for the rent. One expects the cape and moustache to appear at any moment. Still, the sense of believably and terror that engulfs “Behind Closed Doors” doesn’t waver. OLINE H. COGDILL Associated Press
Hardcover fiction 1. “Bullseye” by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge 2. “Sweet Tomorrows” by Debbie Macomber 3. “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead 4. “Truly Madly Guilty” by Liane Moriarty 5. “The Black Widow” by Daniel Silva 6. “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware 7. “Dark Carousel” by Christine Feehan 8. “Smooth Operator” by Stuart Woods 9. “Magic” by Danielle Steele 10. “The Girls” by Emma Cline Hardcover nonfiction 1. “Liars” by Glenn Beck 2. “Hillary’s America” by Dinseh D’Souza 3. “Crisis of Character” by Gary J Byrne 4. “Armageddon” by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann 5. “Hamilton: The Revolution” by Jeremy McCarter and Lin-Manuel Miranda 6. “Spartan Fit!” by Joe De Sena 7. “Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies: The Patriots” by David Fisher 8. “The War on Cops” by Heather MacDonald (Encounter) 9. “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance (Harper) 10. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi Mass market paperbacks 1. “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham 2. “Friction” by Sandra Brown 3. “X’’ by Sue Grafton 4. “Brotherhood in Death” by JD Robb 5. “After She’s Gone’ by Lisa Jackson 6. “The Bone Labyrinth” by James Rollins 7. “Alert” by Patterson/Dedwidge 8. “Me Before You” (movie tie-in) by Jojo Moyes 9. “The Solomon Curse” by Cussler/Blake 10. “Arizona Wild” by Linda Lael Miller Trade paperbacks 1. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins 2. “See Me” by Nicholas Sparks 3. “After You” by Jojo Moyes 4. “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham 5. “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur 6. “Chase” by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge 7. “Me Before You” (movie tie-in) by Jojo Moyes 8. “It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays” by Shane Dawson 9. “Harry Potter Coloring Book” 10. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover