Join the Discussion
Are you in a book discussion group? Most likely you are and you are always looking for the next book or two for the group to talk about. At Bay Books, we have a hybrid book discussion group that covers a diversity of book genres. Sometimes the book chosen is outside our personal interest and sometimes, we donât all like the choice after reading it. But when we get together to discuss the choice, we oftentimes find that by listening to others, asking questions, and discussing the book without judgment, we change our minds. We definitely get to hear other perspectives. So here is a list of fabulous books that may puzzle some folks in your group, intrigues others but for sure, elicit discussion!
Recommendations
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
This is book is all about climate change and revolves around a family and an independent woman and how they face the future as the world, as they had known it, changes to survive.
As Florida slowly takes back her environment, due to rising waters and more catastrophic hurricanes, residents are evacuated until the state is finally closed. Those remaining are on their own and the author, Brooks-Dalton, shows the differences between those who have left the state for other places and those who have remained behind. The bottom line is, nature doesn’t need us, so will we evolve with this new face of our world and how will that look? Her writing is exquisitely descriptive of emotions, circumstances and of the main character—the weather. She profoundly describes the humanity and hope that is left behind as the world around us changes. Fantastic piece of literature which revolves around its young protagonist, Grace.
Murder Before Evensong by The Rev. Richard Cole
Great discussion about genre, plots, cultural grievances which are historical, false perspective, what is necessary for a particular genre, all abound in this somewhat quaint murder mystery. The core components of comedy and tragedy are apparent, as well as biases. But does the murder get solved? Who solves it? This book create more discussion and learning than we expected in our book club âBooks and Wineâ.
Sheâs Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
An ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient’s frightening past in this chilling thriller and the witness who comes forward with shocking details about the fall, calls everything the authorities know into question. A real âwhodunitâ based on what is the moral thing to do and when you have the power, do you do it? A very twisty ending!
Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry by Austin Frerick
This is one of three books that I will always have on my bookshelves, not only as a reminder of where food comes from, but also as a reference book. This story follows the rise of seven major food brokers/producers and how they became financially successful because of their exploitation of workers, laws, and the eating habits of manipulated consumers. What are we eating? Where did it come from? At what cost to others and to our health? What price are we paying for convenience and at the same time, unknown health problems? Who, exactly, are we supporting with our purchases?
This well written book is not a simple muckraking exposure, but a well researched book that gives warning and information to us about what we are doing to our bodies, and to each other unknowingly.
Author Frerick shows his expertise in agriculture and antitrust policy by weaving the intricacies and histories of both to paint a compelling picture of how we are getting it wrong in our food industry. This might be a two month discussion—plenty of learning and discussion within these pages.
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
What a fantastic story this is based on true events. The narrative is interspersed with copies of telegrams and news clippings that actually were posted and the story is built around the Great Depression, the Hurricane of 1938 and the love between humans and animals, in this case, two giraffes. Behind these telegrams and the news clippings, however, is the intriguing story of a young orphan who befriends two giraffes that survived the ocean voyage during the hurricane, ultimately winning over the heart of the man who is in charge of getting them to the San Diego Zoo from the east coast. The novel is expansive with its descriptions of human nature at its best and at it worst. Truly an amazing story based on an event that captured the nation’s attention as we approached WWI from the depths of disaster of the Depression.
Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard
This book literally blew my mind. It seemed every other page was filled with new knowledge, based on science, that made totally sense. Simard writes about her love for ‘dirt’ as a child, which led to everything to do with it and how it is used by fungi, trees, native plants, etc. to communicate and help one another. When I read that a dying Douglas fir sends all its nutrients (strength) to the baby firs and other trees as its life end, I realized that trees might be more ‘people’ than people.
As she shares her science knowledge, she weaves her personal life in as well, letting us know what it took to be a great scientist and her struggle with the Forest Service and Monsanto. Outstanding in every way. Go directly to reading The Overstory by Richard Powers.
This is an oldy but goody and if your Book Club, or you, havenât read it yet, itâs time. The New York Times bestselling authorâs time-travel classic that makes us feel the horrors of American slavery and indicts our countryâs lack of progress on racial reconciliation is filled with discussion points and shocks. Written 25 years ago, the story of a Californian Black woman being unexpectedly transported back to the antebellum South is still as riveting as when it was first released. Butler is a master (Mistress?) of Science Fiction.
Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende
This piece of Literary Fiction is epic in scope and so richly detailed—-and the story is riveting, bringing to the forefront cultural biases, true love, keeping promises and trauma. Allende has a way of writing that paints a picture in your mind and tugs at your emotions. This is a sequel to Allendeâs âDaughter of Fortuneâ but it stands alone as a fantastic read. Set in San Francisco and Santiago de Chile at the end of the nineteenth century, the culture and perspective on gender roles is well researched and described. War and history are important in this novel and many feminist reflections will occur—or not!
