Collection | Book Club

Carol Wilson’s Summer Read

“Loving Frank” by Nancy Horan.

What type of reader are you? I seem to spend a lot of my time reading - from first thing in the morning to sometime after dinner. I thought I’d Google “what type of reader are you,” and I was given a list of 15 different types, none of which I would describe myself as - even though I could have been any number of them over the years.

As a child, I loved books. You know, the real thing. Sometimes they had that smell that you only get when you open an old book, sometimes they were heavy encyclopedias or books of knowledge and sometimes fantasy or adventure.

When I lived in the Caribbean, books were a scarce commodity. I was an avid fan of the local library - a few shelves at the local pub with a random selection of books left by passing sailors. “Take one, leave one.” This made me come out of my comfort zone and I’m thrilled I did because I learned a lot about things I’d never have otherwise tried to read.

Today, I’d say I was a ‘scattered’ reader. By that, I mean I’m all over the place and all sorts of things. My desire is to sit down in my comfy chair and read an actual book. It just doesn’t happen - at least for now. I tend to do all my reading from a screen, whether it’s my phone, iPad or computer. Mostly I read articles, news, emails and predominantly about the ever-changing real estate market! Sometimes, listening to an audiobook on a long trip is somewhat pleasurable. That’s how I ‘read’ Loving Frank.

A story of an American architect’s illicit love affair.

That was several years ago, but this book lingers. I chose this book for our Book Club review since it brings together things I am passionate about. Love, architecture and adventure. Our local architect, Jim Fox, offers some architectural similarities with Frank Lloyd Wright. Loving Frank is a popular book club choice because of its complexities and moral implications, which allow for a lively discussion.

Words by Carol Wilson