"It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between." -C.S. Lewis
I'm back! It's been awhile since I wrote and I promise this one is chocked full of useful information.
I love the above quote by C.S. Lewis because that is the rule that I read by. I actually feel sorry for all the hidden gems in the store that don't make it onto the front tables or our staff suggestions' shelves or have never had their name appear in the New York Times Book Review! I also have regret for not reading ALL the classics by my ripe old age of - well, never mind. Hence, I alternate between new and old books, and classics and non-mainstream choices.
For this letter, I chose to interview R.J. Julia booksellers for book club recommendations. I asked that they think out-of-the-box and that it be a well-written, meaty, full of discussion-potential book, and not necessarily on a top ten list. This is what we came up with. Enjoy!
For those that need to forget about life for awhile:
Do we love an apocalyptic setting because of the total escapism it allows? Wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about going to work or paying the mortgage - and just focus on basic survival? A great book for a book club discussion about why this is such a popular subject. Even if you don't read sci-fi, you should read this!
For those that want to read a book that is going to win an award:
The book follows the life of a math genius who is not so smart when it comes to relationships. It is a wonderful character study, packed full of action and powerful messages about love and happiness.
For those who want to be so scared that they are afraid to leave the book club meeting in the dark:
This mystery/crime/thriller takes place in Norway and is written by a Scandinavian so this can only mean that it will be colder, darker, and more chilling than the writing of non-Nordic writers. This tale of two detectives hunting down a vengeful killer (of children! Yikes!) will hook you early on and keep you page-turning until the frightful ending. A debut novel - move over Jo Nesbo!
For those that think they are too old to read within the growing genre of Young Adult:
Set in San Francisco in 1906, a 15-year old Asian girl living in poverty finds a way out through an unlikely admission to an elite private school. But alas, the historic San Francisco earthquake takes place and dashes her dreams. This strong heroine leads a diverse cast of characters in this extraordinary tale of survival.
OR
Susan was so adamant and animated about
The Clockwork Scarab, a Stoker & Holmes Novel, that I bought myself a copy!
Set in a steampunk version of 19th century London with an ancient Egyptian overlay, this book has it all! The teenage niece of Sherlock Holmes and teenage sister of Bram Stoker get together to sleuth why society girls are showing up dead.
[ Yes, these two are classified as "Young Adult" but did you know this is the fastest-growing genre and 40% of its' readers are adults? Give it a try! A number of our booksellers are well-read in this area and will help you find a great option. Maybe one of us can attend your meeting to help lead the discussion?!]
For those who read the cliff notes instead of the classics:
For those who haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird since high school (and how long ago was that??) and in tribute to the late Ms. Lee, why not go back and read it again - followed by her controversial "first" novel that came out "second," Go Set a Watchman.
For those who want to take a break from fiction and read a page-turning non-fiction gem:
Gail says
Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw
is a non-fiction page-turner that takes place in Paris at the time of Nazi occupation and makes you wonder what YOU would have done had you been there. There's plenty to talk about!OR
This book (a letter from a black man to his son) is such an interesting perspective on the current status of race issues in America and what we could all do to make things better.
For those who swear that the book is always better than the movie:
Do I even need to mention that this book is so much better than the movie? It is based on a true story of a happily (heterosexual) married transgender male artist in Copenhagen in the 1930s. Imagine the emotional turmoil of the couple as well as the social stigma and poor quality of medical procedures at that time! It makes you realize how far we've come with compassion and acceptance on this topic.
For those who aren't satisfied with just one relationship going on in a book:
An interesting timeline of the DeBeers diamond company unfolds and we learn how the tagline "A diamond is forever" came about. The tale is told through the stories of four couples' relationships.
And the winner is:
Sophie's whole persona took on an Oscar-winning performance as she passionately described this heart-wrenching study in humanity that takes you into the deep dark places between a devious husband and wife.
For so many years she had to play the "good wife" but now he's dead so the truth can finally be told. And when you think it's over and it can't get any better - the final chapter gives the other perspective. Wow. Who isn't going to read this? P.S.- It's been described as better than Gone Girl and Girl on the Train!
