Books we have read and discussed over the years since we started meeting.
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad Non-Fiction suggested by Janice The author, a female Norwegian journalist, who was accepted into a Kabul family for three months, writes a first person narrative about Afghan gender roles, education, politics, religion, and culture. Within the context of his society, bookseller Khan is an enlightened and liberal man; […]
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler Fiction suggested by Barbara From Goodreads: From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning author–now in the fiftieth year of her remarkable career–a brilliantly observed, joyful and wrenching, funny and true new novel that reveals, as only she can, the very nature of a family’s life. “It was a beautiful, […]
A Bicycle Built for Two Billion by Jamie Bianchini Non-Fiction suggested by Toni After living too grandly and plunging to rock bottom, the author decided to ride a tandem bike solo around the world and invite people that he met along the way to ride part of the journey with him. Video clip mentions various […]
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Fiction suggested by Sharon From Goodreads: An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization’s collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking […]
Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively Fiction suggested by Janet Winner of the Man Booker Prize The elderly Claudia Hampton, a best-selling author of popular history, lies alone in a London hospital bed. Memories of her life still glow in her fading consciousness, but she imagines writing a history of the world. Instead, Moon Tiger is […]
Gutenberg’s Apprentice by Alix Christie Fiction suggested by Sharon A historical novel about the invention of the printing press. An interesting read for those of us who love the printed word.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Non-Fiction suggested by Terry National Book Award, Named one of 10 Best Books of the Year by Publishers Weekly. Written as a message, a warning even, by Ta-Nehisi Coates to his teenage son as to what to expect in life – from the street, from the police, […]
My Brilliant Friend by Elana Ferrante Fiction suggested by Janet Translated from Italian by Ann Goldstein. This book is the first of a quartet. from Goodreads – A modern masterpiece from one of Italy’s most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila. Ferrante’s inimitable […]
The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende Fiction suggested by Shirley Brief synopsis: Under the threat of Hitler’s rise to power, a young Polish woman’s parents send her to live with an aunt and uncle in San Francisco. Alma Belasco falls in love with their young Japanese gardener, Ichimei. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, his […]
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce Fiction suggested by Lisa From Goodreads: Harold Fry is convinced that he must deliver a letter to an old friend in order to save her, meeting various characters along the way and reminiscing about the events of his past and people he has known, as he […]