Books we have read and discussed over the years since we started meeting.
Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making Sesame Street in Russia by Natasha Lance Rogoff Non-Fiction suggested by Romie Interesting and suspenseful, making Sesame Street in Russia. A tale of perseverance and creativity, and how disparate cultures find common ground. Russia’s people, culture, and their complicated relationship with the West. From Romie […]
Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora Non-Fiction suggested by Sharon A young poet tells the inspiring story of his treacherous migration from El Salvador to the US at the age of nine. A memoir of bravery, hope, and finding family. From Amazon – A young poet tells the inspiring story of his migration from El […]
The Land of Little Rain by Mary Hunter Austin Non-Fiction suggested by Shirley A series of short essays written >100 years ago about California’s southeastern Sierra mountains and deserts and some of their most interesting characters. From Shirley – I very much am liking “The Land of Little Rain” by Mary Austin. Different versions of […]
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land Non-fiction suggested by Barbara From Amazon – Evicted meets Nickel and Dimed in Stephanie Land’s memoir about working as a maid, a beautiful and gritty exploration of poverty in America. Includes a foreword by Barbara Ehrenreich. At 28, Stephanie Land’s plans […]
The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de Waal Non-Fiction suggested by Lynnie Waal is a world-famous ceramicist who inherits 264 pieces of Japanese netsuke carvings. He uncovers their history and also his family’s five generation history. From Amazon – Edmund de Waal is a world-famous ceramicist. Having spent thirty years making […]
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Fiction suggested by Shirley In this classic story, what once was the United States reacts to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by creating a society where women are strictly controlled. From Amazon – Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United […]
Horse by Geraldine Brooks Fiction suggested by Jackie From Amazon – Based on the remarkable true story of the record-breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism. … a heart-pounding American epic that gallops backward and forward in time to tell a story about […]
Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini Fiction suggested by Verna Based on a true story, a real person, see – https://www.whitehousehistory.org/from-slavery-to-the-white-house-the-extraordinary-life-of-elizabeth-keckly From Amazon — revealing the private lives of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, through the eyes of the First Lady’s most trusted confidante and friend in this compelling […]
Trust by Hernan Diaz Fiction suggested by Barbara From Amazon – An unparalleled novel about money, power, intimacy, and perception. It engages the reader in a quest for the truth while confronting the deceptions that often live at the heart of personal relationships, the reality-warping force of capital, and the ease with which power can […]
Whole Earth: The Many Lives of Stewart Brand by John Markoff Non-Fiction suggested by Sharon The definitive biography of iconic serial visionary Stewart Brand from the Merry Pranksters to the “Whole Earth Catalog” and environmental consciousness. From Amazon – Told by one of our greatest chroniclers of technology and society, the definitive biography of iconic […]