Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground
by Zayd Ayers Dohrn
Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young (3/29/2026)
Having lived through the 60's, 70's, and 80's, I found this book fascinating. The story is told from the perspective of an insider with original source material and presents questions that are difficult to consider. It is well written and moves quickly. Mr. Dohrn does an excellent job providing insights into the motivations and thoughts of his parents and other Weather Underground members. It would be a great book club selection. It offers an opportunity to consider competing values and commitments. Highly recommended.
Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known
by Scott Simon
Dogs and cats and many more (3/15/2026)
Ulysses S. Cat is a charming book for pet lovers, but it can be enjoyed by everyone. Scott Simon, in writing about all kinds of animals that he and his family have welcomed into their lives, reminds us of the joys and companionship pets can offer us. He extends his stories into his travels for NPR, highlighting the universal appeal of animal stories. With a light touch Simon offers heartfelt perspectives on the privileges and challenges of caring for animal. The drawings are a humorous touch, as well. Highly recommended.
Everything Lost Returns: A Novel
by Sarah Domet
Uncovering secrets (1/22/2026)
Everything Lost Returns is historical fiction with a hefty dose of magical realism and spiritualism. Halley's Comet is the backdrop for both storylines. It was interesting to read more about what the public thought about the return of the comet in 1910.
There are 3 main female characters: Opal in 1910, Nona in 1986, connected by Bertie Tuttle. All of them resisted the stereotypes of women's role in society in their day, and tried to pursue their own dreams. But some of their choices had dangerous consequences. It is Nona who tries to unravel these secrets to find some truth. For me, the characters could have been developed more sympathetically for me to be more engaged with the story.
The Silent Period: A Novel
by Francesca Manfredi
Beyond Words (12/1/2025)
This book is for readers interested in introspective stories exploring the very use of language. Language is part of what makes us human and allows us to have relationships and to find our places in the world. But words can be empty, and can hurt us. The Silent Period goes deep into what happens when a person chooses silence as a way to authenticity.
A young woman begins by giving up social media and then progresses to giving up speaking and choosing a life of silence. Ironically, social media has a lot to say about this. The writing, and Cristina's transformation is the focus here. It will stay with you long after the last page.
The Wilderness: A Novel
by Angela Flournoy
True friendship (10/21/2025)
The Wilderness is a wonderful story of the friendships of 5 young women over several decades beginning around 2008. It is very much a character driven story. We follow these women through the wilderness of young adulthood as they each find their paths in a rapidly changing world. I loved it! And there is lots for book clubs to explore here.
Angelica: For Love and Country in a Time of Revolution
by Molly Beer
An influential woman (6/25/2025)
Angelica Schuyler was the oldest daughter of an influential Dutch family from Albany, NY, before, during and after the American Revolution. She was ambitious, loved politics, and loved being the center of attention, while also limited by the gender roles of her day. She befriended many of the heroes of the Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and many involved in the French Revolution. There were many years of wars in her lifetime, but I learned more from what the author calls 'social architecture.' Angelica influenced early American society through her friendships, her sense of patriotism and community.
The author reminds us that American democracy has always been messy, and complicated by the problem of slavery. Angelica Schuyler Church lived an amazing life. This is a good read for anyone interested in our early history from a unique perspective.
The Original Daughter: A Novel
by Jemimah Wei
Family Ties (4/11/2025)
This story draws the reader in right from the start. Close family relationships are strained by the arrival of an accidental sister, as well as by societal expectations and close living conditions in Singapore. But it is the competition and sibling rivalry of the sisters that drive this coming of age story.
As one sister's career soars, and one sister struggles, can they hold on to their childhood loyalty and sibling love? These characters, and their parents are complicated and flawed, but also sympathetic. The descriptions of Singapore life in the 21st century are interesting and sometimes humorous. This is a beautifully written book. Highly recommended for book clubs as there are lots of discussion points.
The Dream Hotel: A Novel
by Laila Lalami
They know what you're dreaming about (1/19/2025)
The Dream Hotel is set in an unspecified future in California, but it seems believable that it isn't so far from the present day. The possibilities portrayed in this story about the consequence caused by the growth of AI, and the mining of personal data are both terrifying and cautionary.
We give up our privacy to the convenience of technology at our peril. The story follows the main character's struggle to get her life, and her privacy, back. There's lots to discuss, so I'd recommend this book to book clubs and readers of character driven science fiction.
Follow the Stars Home
by Diane C. McPhail
Historic 1811 River Trip (6/1/2024)
This is a well researched story of a little known, but important, event in American history. In 1811, a very pregnant Lydia Latrobe Roosevelt, joins her husband, Nicholas Roosevelt on the first steamboat trip down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Many details are very interesting, such as childbirth conditions, the descriptions of the boat and the navigation challenges. The impact of the massive earthquake they experienced was told in an exciting way. However, the parts concerning Lydia's family life tend to be repetitive and did not bring these characters to life enough for me. Overall, a good story.
This Strange Eventful History: A Novel
by Claire Messud
This Strange Eventful History (4/30/2024)
I loved this book! This novel tells the story of 3 generations of a French-Algerian family displaced in the 1940's and 1950's by events of history and the effects this has on the family as they make temporary homes in different parts of the world. The author writes beautifully and with great compassion for these characters as they experience love, success, disappointments, and losses in their lives. The book explores the idea of 'home', and 'family' and loyalty, as central to how we know who we are. Highly recommend and lots for book clubs to discuss!
The Mystery Writer: A Novel
by Sulari Gentill
A fun mystery (1/11/2024)
This is a very fun mystery. It is fast paced, with lots of plot twists, some of which are quite improbable, but it all adds up to a good story. The main characters' personalities are well written and likeable, even though they are not described in much physical detail.
There is a subplot involving conspiracy theorists, which is confusing at times. In the end, the author is exploring the lives of writers, lawyers, publishers, and asking, 'who can we trust?' Good for readers of mysteries.
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Beautiful book cover! (10/16/2023)
In Wild and Distant Seas the ocean is the backdrop for this story inspired by Moby-Dick. Just as Ahab spent years searching for the great white whale, the 4 generations of mothers and daughters spend years in search of the elusive, apparently because this will give meaning to their lives. I liked the various settings in this novel. However, I didn't find all the characters as sympathetic as Evangeline whose life in 1849 Nantucket is where the story begins.
Hotel Cuba: A Novel
by Aaron Hamburger
European immigrants in Cuba (4/22/2023)
This is not the familiar story of immigrants arriving through Ellis Island to start their new lives. This is the unfamiliar story of displaced persons being redirected to Cuba and struggling to get into the U.S. from there, in the 1920s. Jewish sisters Pearl and Frieda flee their home in occupied Poland, hoping to reunite in NY with another sister. We see right away that Pearl and Frieda are very different. The characters are well developed, including their strengths and fears and hopes. Pearl tries to hold on to her home values while navigating life in Cuba. She meets many colorful characters along the way who help her open up to her changing world. This would be a great book club choice!
Last House Before the Mountain
by Monika Helfer
Family ties (2/24/2023)
This novel is written as a memoir, and is based on the author's own family. A granddaughter is recalling her grandmother's life in a remote Austrian village. When her husband is called to serve in WWI, the family struggles to survive through many hardships and the scorn of the villagers. I loved how this book explores both what stories are remembered and passed down through generations and the bonds that hold families together, especially during tragic world events. The stories we are told about our ancestors help us find our own identities. I think it would be a great choice for book clubs.
Ghost Season: A Novel
by Fatin Abbas
Heroes amid conflict in Sudan (11/28/2022)
Ghost Season gives us five distinct and sympathetic characters living in an NGO compound on the border between North and South Sudan. I was quickly drawn into the story as their relationships develop and they face political uncertainty and societal differences in their village and country. As chaos reigns around them and upends their lives, they overcome their cultural and personal differences to form lasting bonds and care for each other. I also learned a lot about recent history and culture of Sudan. Book clubs will find many topics to discuss.
Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet
People in glass houses (9/24/2022)
I really enjoyed this quiet, thoughtful novel. The main character, Gil, is looking for a new start and for purpose in his life, having no need to 'make a living.' Along the way he exemplifies his humanity in his daily life with his neighbors and others. He cares for the desert birds, the surviving dinosaurs, and we're asked to wonder if they can survive the changing world. Gil doesn't see violence as the answer to conflict, but rather it's relationships that give us life and freedom. Beautifully written. Would be great for book clubs.
The Immortal King Rao: A Novel
by Vauhini Vara
From India to Seattle (4/16/2022)
I recommend this book highly to science fiction fans. What happens when IT is unchecked and the Algorithm controls society? Technology that was designed to connect us and make us equals has led to greater divisiveness. And then there's Hothouse Earth as we failed to solve climate problems.
The contrast of King Rao poor youth in India with his large extended family with his success in high-tech Seattle is well done. I wish the other major characters had been more fully developed. There's plenty of satire here, too, which is fun.
Activities of Daily Living: A Novel
by Lisa Hsiao Chen
Life and art in time (1/12/2022)
What an interesting and unusual novel!
There are two story threads. Alice is struggling with her Taiwanese Father's decline into dementia and his need for more and more help. The descriptions of her father's experiences in care facilities seem very true to me.
In her spare time Alice is researching a famous (but not to me) performance artist in NYC. The stories are connected by the details of Alice's life and her thinking about life and art. She uses the idea of the Project to explore these ideas, whether or not the project is ever completed, or ever seen or appreciated by anyone else. The many digressions into history, philosophy, etc, enhance the story. This is a thought provoking novel with sympathetic characters.
The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young
Great crime story ! (10/26/2021)
The Fields is a compelling crime story with many layers. It's a police procedural with a sympathetic and flawed detective (and her family). The author takes on Big-Ag vs, small farmers, political corruption, drug abuse, and the societal challenges of the rural Midwest, including the Iowa State Fair. It all adds up to a great read. I look forward to the next Riley Fisher story!
Morningside Heights: A Novel
by Joshua Henkin
Blood is thicker than water (4/13/2021)
Morningside Heights is an easy and engaging read which explores themes of family dynamics over the time of a long marriage. This is primarily the story of Pru's marriage, although we do at times get the story through the eyes of the daughter and stepson. As her husband, Spence's health deteriorates, Pru, and the children deal with family expectations, acceptance, grief, and loss. As a subplot we have the primary caregiver and her son mirroring their parent-child relationship.
Overall, I think this is a sympathetic and somewhat predictable portrayal of a family coping with challenging times.
