Enough France for the Moment

There are other things in life than visits to France no matter how much fun we had.  To illustrate ...

"Naked at Lunch - a Reluctant Nudist's Adventures in the Clothing-Optional World" by Mark Haskell Smith   Grove Press   310 pages   $25 

Smith seems to have forged a career out of writing on disparate subjects such as "Heart of Dankness:  Underground Botanists, Outlaw Farmers and the Race for the Cannibis Cup."

In this volume, he explores his experiences on a totally nude cruise ship, (Caribbean, not Alaskan for obvious reasons) discussions with a nudist enthusiast,  village life (shopping in the nude) in a resort in the South of France, naked hiking in the Austrian Alps which sounded alarmingly dangerous to me.  Dangly bits could get seriously injured doing some of this stuff.  Readers, consider your enthusiasm.  I don't say "Curb it" but "Consider it."

And a gentle reminder - if everyone is starkers, that's nudity; if it's you in the supermarket or gas station alone, it's 6 mos. to 2 years in lockup.

There's a new Jack Reacher out!  Lee Child's excellent series about a former MP, US Army, who is the embodiment to a lot of readers of self-determination and a finely-honed ability to take care of one's self.   

"Make Me" by Lee Childs   Delacorte Press    402 pages   $28.99

"Unlikeable - The Problem with Hillary"  by Edward Klein   287 pages   $29.99

Klein is never unwilling to write discouraging words about well-known people.  Previously he dissected the Kennedys, Obama and the Clintons ("Blood Feud."

He apparently thinks his exposes are really, really HOT!  Having read this book yesterday afternoon (it's brief despite the number of pages because each chapter is about 1 1/2 to 2 pages) I can say that while he meant well, there are recycled anecdotes and themes in it.    Often. 

The only surprise I got was an alleged meeting with Obama, Michelle and Valerie Jarret.  The ladies powered over him and he eventually (sullenly) complied.  I never figured the Mooch to be into anything but vacations myself.