Nonfiction Reads
By Patrice Riordan McCannby McCann
Summer is flying by! I usually choose novels, however I have read several great nonfiction books over the past year. Here are a few options.
“Hello, Molly!: A Memoir” by Molly Shannon
Truth be told, I was not really a fan of Molly Shannon’s over the top characters on Saturday Night Live. Physical comedy to me can seem like it’s trying too hard. I didn’t have high hopes for this book, but it was very good. Like so many comedians, Molly Shannon has a tragic story. When she was four years old, her mother, sister and cousin were killed in a car accident. This book details her childhood heartbreaks and really delves into her relationship with her one-of-a-kind dad. This book made me cry and made me laugh. Easy read!
“The Storyteller: Tales of Life” and Music by Dave Grohl
Full disclosure – Nirvana was not my type of music. In 1992, I was more into Billy Joel and U2. The grunge scene just wasn’t my scene. I do like the Foo Fighters though, and after reading this autobiography, I really like Dave Grohl. He’s deep, and he’s funny. He’s a guy who loves his mom and adores his three daughters. The book tells us stories about many other bands as well; sadly, I am so old that I didn’t recognize many. I greatly enjoyed Mr. Grohl’s reflections though, and I actually highlighted and saved four quotes! Great read! Recommend!
“Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II” by Daniel James Brown
This book was written by the same author who wrote “The Boys in the Boat.” We learn about the brave young Japanese American men who fight for America while their parents are incarcerated in the Japanese internment camps. It is meticulously researched. The internment camps are a truly dark spot-on American history, and these families endured shameful racism from all over America. The patriotism that their sons show despite that treatment is inspiring. In my opinion, this should be required reading for high schoolers. Highly recommend!
Happy Reading! Don’t forget the sunscreen!
