felice
Voracious readers, casual readers and audible listeners all need new material that’s worth our time. We care what our friends love to read and what critics suggest as must reads. It’s always great to share our findings. Please let us know what you have enjoyed as well.
One of my best sources of what to read is my fabulous book club. Adding to the club choices, at lunch with my girlfriends Lizzy and Ellen, we excitedly shared our notes on our favorite books and came up with these great ideas.. Here’s a download of some of our favs.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The LA County Library had a massive fire in 1986. This story reads like a mystery and at the same time it’s an ode, sort of a love story, to libraries. I am in the midst of this one but am loving it.
Becoming By Michelle Obama
Loving the audible of Michelle Obama reading her own story. My husband and I have been listening to this together and are awed by her “becoming.” Such an honest and courageous behind the scene story of a woman we watched for years in the White House.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Our book club had a fabulous discussion of the plight of the Osage County Indians. This is one of those true stories that makes you feel ashamed of our country’s past.
Educated by Tara Westover
It’s hard to believe this young girl’s story actually happened but it did. I heard Tara Westover speak and her candid sharp recounting of her life, reinforced how her determination and sharp mind were instrumental in allowing her to break free from the shackles of her upbringing. Her overbearing family kept her from going to school (not even home schooled) and she ended up highly educated. This coming of age story is powerful.
Where the Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens
This one comes highly recommended although our book group hasn’t read it yet.
A young girl raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina. The consensus is that it’s heartbreaking.
“For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends …more from Goodreads
The Girl With Seven Namesby Hyeonseo Lee
This story is epic. Our book club loved it and learned a great deal about North Korea.
“An extraordinary insight into life under one of the world’s most ruthless and secretive dictatorships – and the story of one woman’s terrifying struggle to avoid capture/repatriation and guide her family to freedom.
As a child growing up in North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee was one of millions trapped by a secretive and brutal totalitarian regime. Her home on the border with China …more from Goodreads
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Although I haven’t read this yet, this book came with a must read recommendation from the group. Apparently it’s a fantastic audio book and worth listening to.
“Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy.” Click here to read more….
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
This book is infuriating. CEO Elizabeth Holmes is outrageous and our book club had a fantastic discussion about ethics, business and trust in corporate america.
“In 2015, Vice President Joe Biden visited the Newark, Calif., laboratory of a hot new start-up making medical devices: Theranos. Biden saw rows of impressive-looking equipment — the company’s supposedly game-changing device for testing blood — and offered glowing praise for “the laboratory of the future.”
The lab was a fake. The devices Biden saw weren’t close to being workable; they had been staged for the visit.” Click here to read the NYT review.