Alvah's Books

For those who don’t follow me on Twitter (and shame on you, if you don’t) that’s my handle. However, this post isn’t about Twitter or me (well, a little about me, but really more about books). It’s all about that favorite pastime that many bibliophiles have and that’s the beach read or the pool read, or the cabin read. We’re five days away from the Summer Solstice and it’s time to do some thinking of what might be good reads for the summer.

For yours truly, I have an esoteric list that might make some eyes glaze over or maybe roll up to the ceiling–that’s what my husband does accompanied by a muttered, “Fun stuff, Boo.” But then again HE’s reading a book about the Romany (which does seem fascinating).

For  the next three months, my reading will focus on the Spanish Civil War, the history of Communism and two classics, but don’t fret I do have some “fun stuff” thrown in between the serious subjects. So here’s a rundown of my Beach Reads:

June (fun stuff in italics)

Men in Battle, Alvah Bessie

The Un-Americans, Alvah Bessie

A World I Never Made, James LePore

If the Buddha Came to Dinner, Hale Sofia Schatz

July

The Spanish Civil War, Hugh Thomas

A Passionate War, Peter Wyden

The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, Helen Graham

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

From Where the Rivers Come, Terin Tashi Miller

The Last Dickens, Matthew Pearl

August/September

The Rise and Fall of Communism, Archie Brown

The Roots of Amercan Communism, Theodore Draper

The Communist Party of the United States, Fraser M. Ottanelli

Black Boy, Richard Wright

Stardust, Joseph Kanon

Fun stuff,eh? I think so…

My attempts to assign myself books to read is an utter and dismal failure. I start one book, put it down, and then start another.  And then there are those “Come Hither” books that seduce you to reading them although they were not on your reading list at all. Damn you, Audrey Niffenegger and The Time Traveler’s Wife!

As much as I am enjoying Ms. Niffenegger’s book, I have set it aside. My list remains the same as last week’s:

• A World I Never Made, by James LePore
• The UnAmericans, by Alvah Bessie
• Men in Battle, by Alvah Bessie
• The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, by Helen Graham

I’m getting  little better at completing my reading goals. I managed to complete:

• Spain Again, by Alvah Bessie
• A Spy by Nature, by Charles Cumming

Still working on:

• A World I Never Made, by James LePore

Since it is Alvah Bessie Month this week’s books include:

• The UnAmericans, by Alvah Bessie
• Men in Battle, by Alvah Bessie
• The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, by Helen Graham

I’m still behind on reviews, but Lush Life and A Spy by Nature will be posted later this week.

At Alvah’s Books we’re starting something new. Every month, I’ll have a “What’s Happening” in the beginning of the month and give readers a heads up of what to expect.

I thought I would kick this off in June because  it’ s a very special month here at  Alvah’s Books.  On June 4th, this site’s namesake, Alvah Bessie, was born in New York City in 1904, and on this day, I’m delighted to write that I’ll be posting  a lovely tribute written by Alvah’s eldest son, and my good friend and comrade, Dan Bessie—himself a writer, film director, animator, and all-around great guy.

During the entire month of June,  I will be reviewing several of Alvah’s  books, including his masterpiece Men in Battle, his memoir of his time in Spain as a volunteer of the Abraham Lincoln Brigades during the Spanish Civil War; Inquisition in Eden, Alvah’s autobiographyof his role as a Hollywood Ten member; his novel about the Blacklist, The UnAmericans; Spain Again his follow-up to Men in Battle nearly 30 years later, as well as his book of short stories.  In addition,  two books about the Spanish Civil War and the Hollywood Blacklist will be reviewed and will serve as an introduction to these two topics.

I hope the reviews pique your interest to learn more about this wonderful and idealistic writer and that they inspire you to seek out his books and read them.

Please visit often, and don’t forget to a leave a comment. I always enjoy hearing from my readers!

In keeping with this month’s theme. . .

In Struggle and Salut!