People often ask me where to find new books to read. I tell them to peruse book reviews, ask friends for recommendations and read profiles of authors. I also encourage them to go on treasure hunts, discovering books by wandering through a book store or library. You never know what wonders you’ll find, particularly on the upper or lower shelves.
Today I realized that I also find good book suggestions by reading obituaries. The obit may be about an author who wrote in a genre I favor. Or the deceased may have lived a particularly interesting life and because an obituary is just a snapshot, I yearn to learn more. Either way, I’ll make a point of hunting down related titles and adding them to my “to be read” bookcase.
I did it again today after reading Maureen O’Donnell’s wonderful obituary for Michael Cafferty, a 49-year-old Chicago attorney who overcame more obstacles than I will (hopefully) ever face. Cafferty’s memoir, “Driven,” was published mere days before he died.
And now that I own a copy, I’m really looking forward to reading it.
