September 18, 2024: Summer Reads: The Cold Millions

[I didn’tget to share my usual BeachReads series earlier this summer, so I wanted to make up for it byhighlighting a handful of the many amazing novels I read as I worked to returnto pleasure reading over the last few months. I’d love to hear what you’ve beenreading, from any genre, for a crowd-sourced weekend post!]

With thefirst two books about which I’ve written in this series, I had a strong senseof them before I began, even if both did (as I hope I’ve made clear) exceed my expectations.Whereas with Jess Walter’s TheCold Millions (2020), a book recommended to me by my Mom (the main wayI learn about new fiction, if I’m being honest), I knew literally nothing aboutit before I finally dove in this summer. So when I say that this was probablymy favorite read of the summer, and definitely one of the most successfully executedhistorical novels I’ve ever read, you’ll understand just how much I’m saying.One of the best measures of a great historical novel is that I’m boththoroughly informed and utterly moved by the end, and I was crying when I readWalter’s epilogue so, y’know, mission very much accomplished. Now I gotta read everythingelse he’s written!

Nextsummer read tomorrow,

Ben

PS. Whathave you been reading?