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Alex's Picks

     Our eighth month in this current lap around the sun is one known for reverence and admiration.  Perhaps this is because August was named after Augustas Caesar and like all great narcissists, he commanded constant validation and respect…so I’ve been told.  Apparently, August was originally named Sextilis, which, if my opinion is of any credence, is a far superior name both in sheer elocution and provocation.  However, we are left with Augustas’ conceited admiration of himself, perhaps rivaling his buddy Julius whose month preceded him: July.  July was named after Julius, the smoothie company.  

     Here are five books which embody the spirit of August, or sort of have to do with August, or don't have very much to do with August but they are at least books that could be read in August and maybe make more sense to read in August versus, say, November for no other reason than there are actual calendar events that happen in November and well, not much seems to happen in August.  I kinda like that though.  Okay, here we go!

  1.  The Moon And Sixpence, by W. Somerset Maugham - I must admit, I have absolutely zero idea what this book is about or if it is worth reading but the title really grabbed me.  As stated, August feels sort of like a throwaway month so you might as well read something that doesn’t necessarily pertain to any particular time of the year. The Moon And Sixpence is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham(see, there's something to do with sommer in there) and is a first person narration of a suit-clad stockbroker who abruptly leaves his family to pursue his artistic dreams.  Loosely based on the life of the renowned  painter Paul Gauguin and published in 1919, Sixpence’s greatest claim to fame seems to be it was the first book burned in the 1966 film adaptation of Fahrenheit 451.  

  2. Life On The Mississippi - For any Mark Twain fans, Life On The Mississippi…is a memoir of Twain’s own experiences as a fledgeling young steamboat captain on the aforementioned river.  While I’m sure being a steamboat captain can be an arduous occupation I’d also imagine it’s full of dull and languid stretches on the river - endless time that one might want to read a book (hint, hint).  When I think of August, I often think of uneventful, humid days where it’s often too sticky and muggy to even think.  So, curl up by the Quittie and get ter readin’ about the Mississippi!

  3. Light In August - Here is a book that at least, for its namesake, presumably has something to do with August.  I’ve never actually finished a book by William Faulkner.  I am not a huge fan of the south and literally all Faulkner does is try to persuade you that the south is a fascinating, magical and majestic place.  SPOILER ALERT.  Light In August tells the story of a young pregnant woman from Alabama who is traveling from town to town looking for the father of her unborn baby.  

  4. Gymnosperms - Full disclosure: this is like a nerdy science handbook that was published in 1833.  I literally thought the word “gymnosperms”  was super cool so I picked it up.  The rest of it isn’t really that interesting but it’s about plants and August features a lot of plants (unless you're in Antarctica) so maybe it’d be a good read?  One reviewer on Amazon wrote: “Good book on gymnosperms.  Very informative.”  

  5. The Shark Watcher’s Handbook - The only interesting calendar event that happens perennially in August is Shark Week!  I did realize the Olympics were happening this year but they only happen every 13 years or something and well, I didn’t exactly find a great

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"Alex Stanilla is a Lebanon based musician and writer who struggles from a lifelong obsession with pasta and hippos. His music can be found on all available streaming services but tidal pays the most."

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