I’ll admit, I’ve never been good about attending a book group. But I usually follow along, reading each selection in the quiet of my own home. So I’ve never before offered recommendations. If I did, however, I would look for books that have a lot of complexity, so that there will be many angles to approach a discussion about the book. They also have to be memorable–the kind of books you can’t stop thinking about long after you’ve put them down.
This week, I’m highlighting my top books that address ten difficult social, cultural, and emotional issues. I’m sure I could think of many more books if I tried–“tough topics” are kind of my thing.
For the past ten years, Helen Adams has devoted her life to covering the Vietnam War.
When she first arrived in Vietnam in 1965, Helen’s only encounter with war had been her father’s tales of the Korean War and her brother’s letters home, and her only experience with photography was a high school class. Against all odds—and under the mentorship of the famed Sam Darrow—Helen begins to make a name for herself as the war’s first female photojournalist.
Saturday, November 27, 2010 3:00 p.m. I was planning on making some progress on my books this morning, but I ended up playing outside instead. I’m now on page 130 of The Lotus Eaters, and I’m hoping to get to the halfway point by tonight. Wish me luck!
Happy Thanksgiving weekend, all! Today I’m reading The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli, and so far I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
Melody Schreiber 