Hello reader…
We decided to enjoy our July meeting in our cozy Book Lovers Lounge, over heaping bowls of fruity halo-halo, a Filipino dessert. Refreshing both ourselves and our TBR lists, lots of fascinating reads were mentioned…
By the Sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah
Recent Nobel Prize winner, Abdulrazak Gurnah, intertwines backstories from Zanzibar with the refugee life in England in this novel about an elderly gentleman seeking asylum in Great Britain. Our friend Fleming found this book to be “wonderful”…and very interesting since it’s asking quite surprising questions like why people help asylum seekers and the stereotypes involved.
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
The second book of Atwood’s MaddAddam series, its reader, Mieke, found it mildly entertaining.
The Poetry of Strangers: What l Learned Traveling America by Brian Sonia-Wallace
To Veyot’s surprise, this memoir was among her results of a search using the term “poetry”. It recounts the author’s experiences sitting in diverse corners across the U.S., typewriter on a tv table, waiting for people to chat. From rock festivals to the Mall of America, Sonia-Wallace connects with folks from all walks of life, using poetry as his conversational currency.
The King Arthur Case: A Brittany Mystery by Jean-Luc Bannalec
This latest installment of Bannalec’s Brittany Mysteries is set in a forest that is traditionally associated with the Forest of Broceliande of Arthurian legend. Inspired by the myths and legends shared by Bannalec in these “love letters to Brittany”, Bernice found herself wanting to plan a trip to see all the locations for herself. She hopes he continues the series for a long time.
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
Published in English in 2019/2020 (originally published in Japanese), this book centers on a writer, whose name we don’t know…at least not yet (it’s a current read for Sierra). She lives on an island where things have been ‘disappearing’ for several years – roses…perfume…emeralds…hats…ribbons. When something disappears, it happens one day, or maybe overnight. The objects themselves leave the island completely…one day all the birds fly away for instance. And, interestingly, the people forget these things…except a few who don’t – and that’s where the Memory Police come in. They take these remember-ers away by force, never to be seen again.
Sierra said that there’s kind of a surreal aspect to the premise that drew her to this novel. It reads well and she’s enjoying it.
The Book Woman’s Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson
The second in a historical fiction series, this novel shares the story of 16 year old Honey Lovett, the daughter of a blue-skinned packhorse librarian. Returning to the remote hollers of Appalachia after her parents are imprisoned for miscegenation, Honey fights for her independence while also forming strong bonds with other trailblazing women in the area. Zoe enjoyed this book very much.
A short list of these books may be found here.
Our next gathering will be on Sunday, August 14 at 1pm SLT. All are welcome – bring a friend!
The Reading Room 