When I pulled out this month’s volume by Graham Greene, I nearly put it back. Weeks before this highly contentious federal election, did I really need to read The Ministry of Fear?

Well, at least it was a book of fiction. The other three September books were non-fiction, and just as scary.

Week 1: Disloyal by Michael Cohen

When news hit that Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer was working on a memoir, I wondered how deep the confession would go. Michael Cohen was famously Trump’s longtime “fixer.” He knew what he was doing.

He doesn’t go far enough with his mea culpas, given the wretched activity he participated in for more than a decade. Cohen apologizes and certainly portrays himself as a redeemed man, but I’d like to see him hang out in purgatory a while longer. Oh, and him calling Trump “the boss” throughout the book set my teeth on edge.

That said, it was an interesting, quick read outlining example after example of sick behavior by people who put personal money and power ahead of everything else.

Week 2: C’mon Get Happy by David Cassidy

Gary chuckled when I told him this was one of my four books for this blog post, as I’d considered squeezing in a fifth book this month so that I could then not mention this memoir. It’s that embarrassing.

Let’s just write this one off as end-of-summer “beach reading.”

David Cassidy was one unhappy guy. His name should be added to the long list of examples that “rich and famous” is rarely a blessing.

Although the stories of his pre-Partridge Family days, the popular TV show, and subsequent rock music performance tours are interesting, they get repetitive. And braggy. He complains about money problems a lot. A lot.

Cassidy, who passed away a few years ago after years of drug and alcohol abuse still used the word “chicks” when he wrote this memoir as a 45 year old. Yuck.

If this was beach reading, I ended up feeling like seagulls pooped on my towel.

Week 3: The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene

This is a work of fiction, but feels all too real as we look back in history and get to know a man who doesn’t even know himself.

After suffering near-fatal injuries during the London Blitz, Arthur Rowe doesn’t even know his own name. Little by little he figures out where he falls within this twisted Nazi plot. A gripping thriller, once again Graham Greene does not disappoint.

Week 4: Rage by Bob Woodward

A current events tome written by a highly regarded journalist? Just couldn’t pass it up.

All but one of Bob Woodward‘s conversations with President Trump for this book were recorded, so there are direct quotes throughout. As fascinating and well written as each chapter was, I couldn’t wait to finish.

The book starts with background information on this administration’s first Secretaries of State and Defense, its first Director of National Intelligence, and of course, the Mueller Report. This helped piece together the first year in office for me, as I was pre-retirement at the time and didn’t pay as close attention as I do now.

The behind-the-scenes Covid-19 conversations were horrifying. The excuses and shifting of blame never let up. What a mess.

Woodward also takes a special interest in the presidential son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former campaign manager Brad Parscale. Oh, what a tangled web …

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What’s up for October reading? My dear friend Jeff recommends David Sedaris, so we’ll start with one of his books. More Graham Greene, of course … plus a few (non-political, I hope) to-be-determined choices.

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