Recommended Book List

The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein – As you start this dog (Enzo)-narrated book, you question whether you will actually get through it and mentally note that the person who referred it to you might not have the same taste in novels.  A little perseverance pays off as the story of Denny, a struggling racecar driver, unfolds.  Denny’s tale of sacrifices, love and passion are sure to completely immerse you.

The Cat’s Table, Michael Ondaatje – A wonderful and exciting adventure story.  This is a tale about the awakening of a 10-year-old boy from Colombo in what is now Sri Lanka.  He is travelling to England on a luxury liner away from his boyhood home and life.  He and his new friends are able to witness and provide commentary on the adult world of class structure, gossip and the general struggles that plague society with amazing clarity.

Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese – An amazing and powerful story of love, hope, medicine and passion.  A mesmerizing tale of twin boys raised within the walls of Missing Hospital in Ethiopia forming their moral code, medical skill and compassion under volatile conditions and with great fortitude.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery – The story of a concierge to an upper class apartment complex guarding a secret life and her association with an unlikely cast of characters.  A young resident struggling with her own identity happens upon this discovery and a tantalizing story ensues.

Far to Go, Alison Pick – The story of the rising power of Hitler and the Nazis from the view of a governess to an affluent Jewish family in Prague.  This is a sad tale that allows the reader the imagined view as an outsider and witness as well as an understanding of the workings of the Kindertransport.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, Stieg Larsson – The story of a Swedish computer hacker and a journalist and their quest for justice in an unconventional and often violent approach in a trilogy.  The three stories are real modern cloak and dagger fiction, that are not light, but, not deep and meaningful either.  Page-turners, if you like that genre.

The Help, Kathryn Stockett – This book is already a movie, but, it’s content is an exciting look into the history and development of the equal rights movement.  Centered in the American south, it is a story of an enlightened and educated young debutant who takes a stand in a society who demeans and degrades their ‘African-American’ nannies and housekeepers.

Little Bee, Chris Cleave – This is the type of story where you fall in love with the main character from the first page and frugally read the last pages in an effort to keep her in your life.  The tale is of a Nigerian girl, Little Bee, caught in a world fraught with oil struggles and war.  She becomes entangled in the life of a White British magazine editor, Sarah by an accidental incident.  Through a series of coincidences and her ability to speak the “Queen’s English”, Little Bee tells her story of struggle and a powerful trust in humanity that leads her quite naturally into the life and world of Sarah.

Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones – A story about a girl trapped in a war-torn world, who is inspired by a Dickens’ novel, the power of the words, imagination and hope.  This book reminded me of the influence of novels in young lives and motivated the rereading of Great Expectations – a powerful tale.

The Paris Wife, Paula McLain – The story of Ernest Hemingway’s first wife Hadley and their life in Paris together.  The novel starts with their meeting in the 1920s and follows their lives of adventure and indulgence in the world of artistic genius.

Sarah’s Key, Tatiana De Rosnay – A heart-wrenching and horrific story of the collection of the Jews in Paris, France during the Vel d’Hiv roundup.   The fictional tale of a Jewish young girl robbed of her childhood and the account of her life.

Secret Daughter, Shilpi Somaya Gowda – A sad story of a impoverished couple living in a town in rural India who are faced with heart breaking decisions in a society that value a son’s life over a daughter’s.  The story follows the couple’s endeavor to sustain hope and love in their life while carrying overwhelming regret and guilt.

This is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper – This is a truly hilarious look at a very dysfunctional family that get together to mourn the loss of their father.  The troubles and tribulations that plague them, some dating back to childhood are brought to the forefront in this humorous and believable tale of confrontation and self-discovery.

Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand – An unbelievable but true story of an American soldier and celebrated athlete in the Second World War.  The tale unfolds behind the enemy lines in Japan and is so unbelievable and totally enthralling, it is very hard to believe it is not fiction.

When God Was a Rabbit, Sarah Winman – This is a book filled with tragedy.  Elly narrates the story of her childhood with her brother and then their struggle with adulthood.  The theme of a childhood secret sets the tone for the book that includes child abuse, neglect and suicide in a surprisingly, often witty story.