Saturday, August 10, 2013

Eight top books for emotional release

At The Barnes & Noble Book Blog Dell Villa tagged eight books to read when you’re in the mood to cry for days, including:
Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett.

Like most of humanity, or at least the contingent I choose to consort with, I thought this novel was full of magic and incredibly provocative. Patchett uses her trademark lyrical, transcendent prose to describe, of all things, a hostage situation. Multiple perspectives expose unexpected relationships among the hostages as well as help cultivate concurrent empathy for the hostages, terrorists, and crisis negotiator. Some of the tears, I’m sure, stemmed from the fact that the book had to end.
Read about the other books on the list.

Bel Canto is among John Mullen's ten best birthday parties in literature and Joyce Hackett's top ten musical novels.

Also see: Hallie Ephron's ten best books for a good cry.

--Marshal Zeringue