Most of July and a third of August are considered the “dog days” of summer.

Although none of this month’s books could be called dogs, Betrayal has an unforgettable bite, while Cranford gets those Victorians’ tongues to wagging.

Week 1: Betrayal by the Investigative Team of The Boston Globe

This is an easy book to put off reading. But that’s part of the problem, isn’t it?

After watching the movie Spotlight several times, I knew it was important to read the book, too.

Betrayal tells story after story of children (mostly boys) betrayed by their priest and their church. The book reveals the sexual exploitation of children by priests. It also outlines the way the Catholic church hid the predators in plain sight, by moving them to other parishes. The authors also detail how many priests were caught by their peers – often mid-rape – who turned and walked away. Parents were paid off, the priests were relocated and soon continued their unforgiveable behavior.

As sickening as this story is, it’s important to read if you love a child.

Week 2: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

About halfway through the month, Gary asked me if there was a “theme” to July’s books. It suddenly hit me: “Uh, yes … bad Catholics.”

Brighton Rock was the next novel in line in my Graham Greene collection.

This story is set in the seaside town of Brighton, England, in the 1930s. The murders start right off the bat, as a very young sociopath named Pinkie vies for control of a gang. It’s a thriller, all the way till the end.

The author, Graham Greene, was a convert to Catholicism. He used the main characters in Brighton Rock to explore church teachings and how twisted those beliefs can become.

Week 3: Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Elizabeth Gaskell first published a short story about a fictionalized version of her hometown in a magazine called Household Words in 1851. The editor, a fellow by the name of Charles Dickens, encouraged her to write more chapters about the village that time left behind for future editions (much as he did for A Christmas Carol and would do again with Great Expectations).

Nearly everyone who lives in Cranford is female. And they have quite an attitude of superiority. Entrenched in Victorian sensibilities, the ladies are at times endearing … but with the turn of a page, become rather annoying. All in all, a delightful book to read while sipping daintily from a cup of tea.

Week 4: Dream Street by Damon Runyon

Across the ocean and 80 years later, another group of delightful short stories.

The setting this time is New York City, with a collection of tales featuring tough guys (many of them with hearts of gold) and their post-Prohibition antics.

About 100 pages in, I suddenly realized the lack of contractions. The book’s narrator and all the characters speak colorfully with a combination of slang and old-fashioned fancy talk. And to top if off, all conversation is in the present tense, with nary a contraction.

From a safe-cracker who brings along his baby son to an unbelievable food competition to the Lemon Drop Kid, all great yarns. Tip: listen to some of the “Damon Runyon Theater” classic radio programs from the 1940s, now available as a podcast. The voice of actor John Brown, who portrays the narrator – named Broadway – is incredibly memorable. Yes, Broadway’s nasally voice was in my head with each story; and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

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