Two Books

"So Far Gone": http://bit.ly/45xCfr7

"Among Friends": http://bit.ly/4lMM09V

We're watching the second season of "The Ex-Wife" and it too is very intense.

To tell you the truth, we forgot most of the plot of the first season when we started the second, it's been three years, and the catch-up at the beginning of the first episode of the new season was not comprehensive enough, but having watched two episodes we went back and watched it again and understood more.

This was after we tried "Outrageous," which had a tone problem despite the positive reviews, and slogging through "Hostage," this week's hot new Netflix show. Suranne Jones is always good, and as seemingly only a French actress can do, Julie Delpy has not fought the aging process and this combined with her acting chops makes her very believable. HOWEVER, despite great casting and performances, the plot is so unbelievable and predictable to the point where you want your money back. I really wouldn't recommend it. Having said that, "The Ex-Wife" is a total winner, but in the U.S. you've got to have BritBox...then again, my inbox is full of raves for "Code of Silence."

And after turning off the TV I went back to "So Far Gone," which I read in two days, I stayed up late to finish it.

"So Far Gone" is an easy read. It wraps up seemingly all the issues of the day without the reader feeling that they've been forced upon them.

You've got the hermit of a father, who finds his grandkids at his front door, and from there a caper ensues.

What have we got here?

Christian nationalism.

Dedication to a losing musical career.

EDM/hippies.

Multiple marriages.

"So Far Gone" is a novel of today. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I don't want to tell you any more about the plot. But I will say, "So Far Gone" is not a chore, it's not so highbrow that you feel you're being talked down to, it's funny and truthful and I haven't seen it hyped everywhere, I see the usual best sellers on the lists and this is not there, so I want to hip you to it. No one is going to read "So Far Gone" and want their time or money back. Will you think it's the greatest book you've ever read? Doubtful, but somewhere in there you'll see yourself or your life. And you'll laugh.

As for "Among Friends," it IS highbrow. So if you're looking for literary fiction, the kind of stuff that is not hyped by Jenna or GMA or Reese...this is for you. "Among Friends" does not cut like butter, you may find yourself rereading sections to fully understand what they're saying, but what is being said...

What you've got here is two fiftysomething men who've been friends since college. They come from very different backgrounds, but the college experience bonds them, they remain best friends, they integrate their families as life unfolds.

And then...

"Among Friends" has got a ton of interior dialogue, especially in the first half. You know, the stuff you think in your head that you never say out loud. The unfiltered words. Your anger at other people, your anger at life, your hopes and dreams... We all have this tape going in our brains. They say you can never really know another person, this is why. So I loved the first half.

The second half is the same characters, but something happens. Whereas the first half is not based on a plot point. It's just people living their lives, their choices, their petty feelings.

And even if you end up a big swinging dick, can you truly escape your upbringing? Will those born to a higher status accept you? And can you accept that you've moved on?

A lot of questions are asked in "Among Friends," questions we all consider, but unlike "So Far Gone," "Among Friends" is not for everyone. If you can handle more description than necessary, occasional words you might not understand, not that much action...have I lost you yet? Funny how a book is a solo experience of a populated world, but since reading is an effort which many people find too heavy a lift, it's not like you can run into someone who's read the same book.

Unless you're talking about best sellers that are too often about plot and not much more.

So I know most of my audience doesn't care about books, and would rather I don't write about them, but the above two are fulfilling, and for those who e-mail me thanking me for my recommendations, here are two more.


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