January 2022 - Staff Reading Suggestions
AMERICAN HAPPINESS AND DISCONTENTS: THE UNRULY TORRENT, 2008-2020
by George Will
This is an incredible collection of well-crafted, beautifully written pieces penned between 2008 and 2020. Will is masterful in conveying mesmerizing information in 750 words. He covers everything from history, politics, matters of life and death and football. You may not agree with everything in this work, but you will learn from an intelligent and engaging writer in every single column.
-Martha
THE GOOD SON
by Jacquelyn Mitchard
(Releases January 18, 2022)
A mother struggles to pick up the pieces of her family after her son is released from prison for brutally murdering his girlfriend. Still trying to come to terms with the love for the sweet boy she raised and the violence of her son's crime, she tries to help him as he attempts to make amends in society. But not everyone is happy about the second chance at freedom he is given and her instinct to protect her son puts all their lives at risk. This is an intense novel you won't want to miss about the strength of a mother's love in the worst of circumstances and her instinct to protect her family at all costs.
-Kirsten
HONOR
by Thrity Umrigar
Thrity Umrigar’s India comes alive in this beautiful yet devastating love story. Compelled to leave NYC to cover a story in Mumbai, Smita has to face the haunting memories of her childhood. Her demons must be overcome but love abounds in this complex country where the past sometimes violently collides with the present. Transformational story with gorgeous writing -- this is not to be missed!
-Beth
THESE PRECIOUS DAYS
by Ann Patchett
Love the writings of Ann Patchett? How about chatting with her over tea about life? This is what reading, These Precious Days, Ann’s latest collection of non fiction essays feels like. In this remarkable assemblage of moments and events from her life, we learn about her three fathers, her decision not to have children, and we hear about life in general through the eyes and sensibility of a world class author.  The perfect book to sit down with as the hubbub of the holidays recedes. Highly recommend.
-Susan
ATLAS OF THE HEART: MAPPING MEANINGFUL CONNECTION AND THE LANGUAGE OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE
by Brené Brown
This book is a compilation of all of Brené’s work to date in a beautiful coffee table version. In this book Brown’s work supports the premise that language is powerful and that words matter. Brown defines 87 emotions and helps you navigate your way through them. As in previous works, Brown reminds us that meaningful connection with ourselves and others is a worthy goal and one that takes effort. The nuance of language can help us connect at a deeper level. This is a book to keep on hand to refer back to again and again as we are all works in progress.
-Martha
NOTES ON AN EXECUTION
by Danya Kukafka
(releases January 25th)
Ansel Packer, convicted of murder, wakes up on the day of his execution still plotting to escape his fate. As the minutes of his final day unfold we hear the story of his life told from Ansel's voice and from the different perspectives of the women in his life from the cruel beginning, to the violent acts he committed, to the final moments when he is forced to reckon with the truth of his own ending. A tragic and chilling story told starting at the end of a serial killer's life.
-Kristen S
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