Brooklyn by Colm Toibin: An engaging novel about Eilis Lacey, a young Irish woman, whose family convinces her

to immigrate to
Brooklyn, New York and find work during the difficult post-World War II years. Toibin captures the trepidation and loneliness of em-
barking upon a new country, as well as the satisfaction of self-reliance when achieving success and independence in a new
life. Davonne’s pick
Forty Rules of Love: a novel of Rumi by Elif Shafak: This is a fascinating story told through the communication between a Muslim
author and a Jewish woman editing his book about the Turkish poet Rumi, who lived in the 13 th century. The novel shifts back and forth
in time, and it makes for an interesting dip into different cultures. Julia’s pick
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice: A book bash selection, this archetypal tale was a delight. Anne Rice has a wonderful abil-
ity to create authentic characters who keep the reader engaged. Lestat is the ultimate vampire who is filled with hedonism. Louie, who
is being interviewed, is the antithesis, so doesn’t stand a chance against him. Julia’s pick
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick: Before watching the Amazon series, I decided to read the book that it was based on.
Set in a world where the United States lost World War II, the United States is split into three sections – the Nazis occupy the Eastern
states, the Japanese formed the Pacific States of America out of the Western states, and the Rocky Mountain states form a neutral buff-
er zone between them. The plot revolves around the lives of the people living in these areas and the powers that oppress them. I
found the world to be extremely intriguing and constantly wanted to know more about the lives of the people who live there. The book
ended up being much different than the Amazon show but both were good in their own right. This book won the 1963 Hugo Award for
Best Novel so is eligible for the award winning book category in the Book Bash. Talia’s pick
Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman: In this historical novel, lyrical prose portrays the lives of Rachel Pizzarro, and her son the
painter, Camille Pissarro, as well the family unit. Passionate and colorful descriptions capture the beautiful setting of St. Thomas in the
Caribbean, and the character portrayals are somewhat reminiscent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Davonne’s pick
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout: This deceptively slim book written in precise and spare language, implies a simple sto-
ry. Yet it illuminates a complicated and somewhat uncomfortable relationship between a mother and daughter that reveals itself
through a mother’s visit to her adult daughter during an extended hospital stay. Davonne’s pick
Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus: Mystery lovers-here is another author to try. Neuhaus is an international bestseller from Ger-
many. Tobias Sartorious has just been released from prison where he spent ten years for killing two teenage girls in his rural
hometown. However, their bodies were never recovered, and the evidence was all circumstantial. Detectives Pia Kirchlhoff and Oliver
von Bodenstein start investigating the old case when they go to the village to report an attack on Tobias’s mother. Then a body is dis-
covered in a nearby abandoned airfield fuel tank, and the townspeople start a hate campaign. I was enticed by a review of her newest
mystery released in January 2016, I Am Your Judge, so I thought I’d try an older book, first, and I found it well worth the time. This book
qualifies for a translated book or one with a color in the title for the Book Bash. Judith’s pick.
Winter by Marissa Meyer: I have been reading fairy tales since I can remember. Winter is the conclusion of Meyer's Lunar Chronicles.
It is a fabulous mix of Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel with a huge twist. I was fortunate to hear the author
speak at McLean and Eakin and she has been a fan of the original Grimm Fairy Tales since she was five. Her characters are so different
from the original tales, that your brain immediately perks up and wants to see what journey Meyer has planned. Winter is Snow
White's tale set on Luna in a world reminiscent of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The Lunar Chronicles are a must read!
Laura’s pick
The Art of Grace: On Moving Well Through Life by Sarah L. Kaufman: A detailed treatise on the essential, but oft
overlooked character trait of grace. Our current culture of public coarseness could use an infusion of grace. Kaufman
sprinkles references to the history of human manners—going all the way back to the Egyptians of 4000 years ago-
throughout her discourse. None of her suggestions are difficult, or new for that matter: be kind, tolerant; think of
others before yourself; strive to make people comfortable in social situations they may find uncomfortable; and do
things joyfully. Judith’s pick

Atmosphere of Hope: Searching for Solutions to the Climate Crisis by Tim Flannery: Australian Scientist, Tim Flan-
nery outlines the basic science behind climate change issues and the sixth extinction in clear and concise language.
He acknowledges the loss of countless species and the impending demise of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as other
changes in the earth’s ecosystem. Despite huge challenges and obstacles, Flannery is cautiously optimistic about the
potential of technological innovations that work with the earth’s system, and the positive impact of renewable ener-
gy options being pursued by many countries that could slow the warming of our planet. Davonne’s pick

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: This fascinating book is written in the form of letters to Coates’
fifteen-year-old son. Straightforward and sensitive, his assertions provide important insights into the world of a black
man living in the United States. Davonne’s pick

The Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon: If you grew up with Carly and James, you will like this book. Not only are the
tales based in reality very interesting, but she is a good writer as well. Her childhood and young adult years were tur-
bulent and out of the ordinary. She has a very opinionated view of her life with James Taylor, compelling you to read
on as well as hope James writes a memoir too. Audrey’s pick

Dark Money by Jane Mayer: A patron recommended this book, and several staff members who have read it concur
that it is a must read for all. Our political system is being hijacked by multibillionaires, led by the Koch brothers, and
Jane Mayer, investigative journalist, has done an in-depth analysis of how that came about. The findings support the
immediate need for campaign finance reform which should also include a time limit for campaigns, as well as contri-
bution restrictions. Is it possible that the free speech for the 1% now controls the free speech for the rest of us?
Read the book to draw your own conclusions. Judith and Davonne’s pick

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick: I love Nathaniel Philbrick’s writing and have since reading May-
flower a couple years ago. I read this in anticipation of the film and it left me constantly on the edge of my seat. This
book follows the path of the Essex, a whaling ship out of Nantucket, as it journeys around the southern tip of South
America and into the Pacific where it encounters an aggressive whale that consequently shipwrecks them. Moby
Dick was based on this story. Philbrick does an excellent job of summarizing the culture of Nantucket and whaling at
the time while writing a novel about adventure and adversity. The book was recently made into a movie and quali-
fies for the book that became a movie category in the Book Bash. Talia’s pick

Skin Cleanse: The Simple, All-Natural Program for Clear, Calm, Happy Skin by Adina Grigore: Founder of S.W. Ba-
sics, a website and blog that carries the products described in her book, Grigore here explains her relatively simple
concept that healthy skin comes from the inside out. So, once again, “you are what you eat”, which means that
healthy diet and exercise choices lead to healthy skin. The book is a well-organized, straightforward piece – a quick,
easy and interesting read. Judith’s pick