Books

Catch Me If You Can

Young man perpetrates a panoply of elaborate cons. 

If you’re familiar with the movie, you know what spirit to expect from the book. It’s packed with charisma, mischief, and adventure, just like the movie.

If you’re not, here’s a brief recap: Frank Abagnale Jr. poses as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, all to further his core grift, passing bad checks.

Elie Wiesel said, "Some stories are true that never happened.” The truth of this “true story” holds up despite the increasing doubt about whether the events in it actually happened. It’s full of fun lessons about human nature that don’t depend on fidelity to reality. So read it with an open heart, but keep in mind that it’s the work of a (mostly?) reformed con man.

If you like true crime stories, or the 60s era glamour of Mad Men, or travel literature, you’ll find a lot to like here. Even if you don’t especially like those things, read it anyway. It’s hard not to be charmed by it.

Highly recommended.

Mansfield Park

Young woman successfully deflects a marriage proposal from a bad suitor, ends up with a better guy.

Fanny comes from a relatively poor family, and she’s sent to live with affluent relatives. She adopts an accordingly meek persona, but her obvious merit shines through. 

Awful Henry and Mary pass through, stirring up all kinds of trouble. Fanny rejects Henry’s proposal, and everyone thinks it’s foolish until he’s later caught in a scandal and realize her wisdom. 

She ends up with her beloved cousin Edmund, who is super right for her. 

This is my second favorite Jane Austen novel. It’s much more human, relatable, and cozy than the rest. Fanny is relatable in a way most Austen heroines are not. 

But if you’re new to Jane Austen, don’t prioritize it. Pride and Prejudice is clearly her magnum opus, start there. If you like nothing else about it, you’ll at least have wonderful Lizzy for company.