WWW.WEDNESDAY

 

 

WWW. WEDNESDAY asks three questions to prompt you to speak bookishly. To participate, and to see how other book lovers responded, click here. 

PS I no longer participate in WWW.WEDNESDAY via that link because her blog won't accept Blogger comments. I mention this only to save you the frustration I experienced trying to link up.

1. What are you currently reading? America's Reluctant Prince by Steven M. Gillon. I reached for this biography of JFK, Jr., because it was written by someone who actually knew him and because I'm jonesing for Camelot. Bobby Jr. and the tacky mess that is MAGA leave me longing for grace and style.

 

So far, I don't know what to think of this book. I've come upon some errors in the early, ho-hum chapters about "John John in the White House." I'm hoping the writing and research will improve once we get into the less examined areas of JFK, Jr.'s life.

2. What did you recently finish reading? One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. Here's my Elevator Pitch: Survivor meets Lord of the Flies. 

Five couples are thrown into competition to win fame and money (but mostly fame) as the winners of a new reality show: One Perfect Couple. They are whisked away to a remote island resort, where their phones, smartwatches and laptops are confiscated. They accept this because they know how reality shows work and understand that they can't be leaking the ending or plot twists before the series airs. Before long though, nature (both Mother and human) conspires against them and they are in real danger.

The premise is brilliantly constructed. Example: I remember a quote from long-retired Johnny Carson about Survivor. He scoffed that the contestants can't be in any real danger or distress because there's a union-mandated craft table for the crew just off camera. Well, Ware figured out how to neatly, credibly dispatch the crew. 

She's created a situation rife with tensions and she mines them beautifully. Producer vs. crew. Cast vs. crew. Couple against couple. Boyfriend vs. girlfriend. 

My only gripe with the book – other than a rather big plot hole I can't fill no matter how I try – is the way it's promoted. This is not a mystery. You find out whodunnit rather quickly. I'd classify this one as a thriller. A well-crafted and engaging one, at that. 

3. What will you read next? I don't know.