Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

Closing out this year’s Bookends section is Barbarian Days by William Finnegan. There are no surfers in our team and yet we found ourselves mesmerized and very much in awe of, what seemed to us, was a life well lived. It’s one of the best ones we’ve read in years. The way the author takes you with him through his journey makes you feel like you have really travelled and have seen all those places. His take on life is also very matter of fact but upon closer look actually deep. Year-end is usually the time when we look back and Finnegan taking account of his life will make you think even more about your own life.