Started and ended the sizzling summer of ’11 with books of chase. In June, I read Manhunt: The 12-day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson which is exactly what the title says. It is exhaustive in two ways: the author used every possible source to put the information into a seamless narrative and the constant movement of players, both good guys and bad, makes the book feel like there are no resting spots. Even when John Wilkes Booth and his accomplice are resting, there is the fear of being caught creeping up behind them. It feels that way for the reader, too. Booth denies all this with his optimistism that he will make it across the river to his friends of the South and the world will honor him for his grand accomplishment. The real honor goes to those who never stopped the chase to find him.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling was the finishing chase book for the summer. It needed a re-read because I was ready to watch movie part 1 on dvd and then go to the big-screen for part 2. The first time I read it, I didn’t follow it and I don’t even remember finishing it. The book was still a mess the second reading; chasing through woods which reminded me of Manhunt, disappearing and appearing; the central search for bad little horcruxes overshadowed by a strange symbol and all the chasing around that implied. I did watch Part 1 after that and this is the only book in the series that I needed the movie to make sense of it all. In British speak, “J.K. Rowling mucked about.” (That means “messed around and got into trouble,” not the bad word.)
It’s almost time for The Big Read Wichita, so I’m rereading The Things They Carried  by Tim O’Brien. Books will be available free at the Kickoff Oct. 1 at the Wichita Art Museum. Add your two cents to the reviews when posted here.