This week, our First Impressions reviewers comment on Widowland by C.J. Carey, a timely work of alternate history in which Germany has won World War II and classic literature is being rewritten to reflect new ideologies.

Want some quick reading on interesting topics? We invite you to enjoy Beyond the Book articles linked to recent First Impressions reviews, which cover JFK's friend Lem Billings, the American psychic industry and novels about poets.

Also, check out some fun book club names subscribers shared in our annual survey, and upcoming online discussions for our fall season starting next week.

With best wishes,

Davina Morgan-Witts

BookBrowse Publisher

Each month we give away books to BookBrowse members who live in the U.S. to read and review. Members who choose to participate receive a free book about every 3-4 months. Here are their opinions on one recently released title.

"C.J. Carey has given us an extremely readable and entertaining book in Widowland. It is a unique look at the power of literature, fiction as well as nonfiction, and the impact it can have on public opinion and shaping the future... it paints a vivid and realistic vision of what censorship can bring. Most readers will enjoy the plot as well as the characters. The subject matter would provide opportunities for book clubs to discuss content as well as the underlying societal implications." - Ted R. (Saint Paul, MN)

"I was interested in Widowland as soon as I read the description. It's alternate history about what it might be like if Germany won World War II. In this world, the US remained neutral during the war. Now, Great Britain is part of a Grand Alliance with Germany. Though residents outside of mainland Europe are unaware of the existence of concentration camps, they share ideologies, including a strict caste system for women...Rose Ransom, an upper-class woman, works for the government - specifically the Ministry of Culture. Her job is to rewrite classic novels, removing subversive content that might encourage women to think for themselves. When graffiti begins appearing around the city, Rose is tasked with visiting the slums as a spy of sorts to weed out the culprits. Seeing how the lower class lives makes Rose question everything the government has told her - clearly, these conditions aren't fair. She must decide whether to complete her mission by turning in fellow women or risk everything to do what's right. Widowland is inventive and surprising." - Rebecca K. (Chicagoland)

"Widowland is an engaging page-turner of a novel that crosses genres - feminist, historical, dystopian... I do hope it makes it to the screen. This smart, timely novel would make a terrific series." - Elizabeth T. (Bradenton, FL)

On BookBrowse, all of our featured reviews are accompanied by a Beyond the Book article that expands on a cultural, historical or contextual aspect of the book.

Below is a sampling of articles linked to books recently reviewed by our First Impressions readers.

(from our Reading Lists category)

In Jean Thompson's novel The Poet's House, main character Carla discovers a new world when she meets Viridian, a well-established poet. Viridian soon brings Carla into her circle of writer friends and the drama that pervades the group, changing her life forever. Here are just a few other novels in which poets and poetry take center stage... continued

(from our People, Eras & Events category)

Jackie & Me, Louis Bayard's historical novel about the early days of courtship between John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy (née Bouvier) is narrated by JFK's real-life best friend, Lem Billings. The two men met as boys while attending prep school at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut... continued

(from our Places, Cultures & Identities category)

In Nan Fischer's novel Some of It Was Real, psychic-medium entertainer Sylvie Young comes under the scrutiny of Thomas Holmes, a reporter determined to expose her as a "grief vampire" who takes advantage of people mourning loved ones. Whether or not you believe their claims of clairvoyance and communication with the dead are real or sincere, self-identified psychics like Sylvie are in high demand, and the performances and services they provide make up a multi-million dollar industry in the United States... continued

In the market for a name to give your book group? Why not look over some real book club names for inspiration? Earlier this year, we sent out a question with our annual book club survey asking about the names of subscribers’ book clubs. We received more than 500 answers — ranging from straightforward and sincere to witty and laugh-out-loud entertaining — and we thoroughly enjoyed sifting through all of them. Thank you to everyone who submitted responses!

We've highlighted common themes and categories we came across in hopes of sparking inspiration for those looking to name their own clubs... continued

Discussions are open to all, so please join us! If you would like to receive a message when a particular discussion opens, you can sign up for a one-time notification. You can also find inspiration for your book club among our almost 200 past discussions.