Pat Taub
It’s that time of year when I share my picks for summer reads. My selections include reads by literary prize winners, a popular psychologist, a gripping WW II espionage story, a dystopian tale, and a background for understanding the war in Ukraine.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingslover
Just a few pages into this mesmerizing novel, I could understand why it was a co-recipient of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize and winner of the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Kingsolver was inspired by the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.
While Kingsolver’s novel is about a boy born into poverty, Demon Copperhead is set in Appalachia, where the characters fall victim to the opioid crisis manufactured by Purdue Pharm. Her detailed descriptions of life in poverty fueled my outrage for our national indifference to our swelling poor population.
Poverty by America by Matthew Desmond
If reading Demond Copperhead gets you steamed up to do your part to address our nation’s poverty, you’ll be moved into action by Desmond’s study. He calls on the reader to become a “poverty abolitionist,” offering suggestions for acting at both the national and local levels to reduce the staggering 140 million Americans living in poverty.
Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
To read a novel for the pure pleasure of beautifully drawn characters, Lively’s 1987 Booker Prize winning book is the ticket. Her protagonist, Claudia Hampton, dying in a London hospital, looks back on her adventuresome life in Egypt before, during, and after World War ll. Lively is among the great writers who take the time to craft vivid characters in contrast to writers who rely on dramatic plot twists to move their story along.
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
This science fiction story revolves around The Ministry for the Future, established to protect future generations and all living creatures. Robinson’s harrowing climate occurrences offer a believable account of how climate change will impact our cities. The author’s considerable scientific knowledge lends credibility to his imagined future.
The Stationery Shop of Tehran by Marjan Kamli
A captivating romance about love lost and found again decades later. The female protagonist moves from Tehran to California when political turmoil rocks her country. I enjoyed the details about Iranian family life, its food, and traditions. The perfect book for a rainy weekend, which has been Maine’s trademark this summer!
I Am Homeless If This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore
Like other Moore fans, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book, published just a few months ago. I plan to read it next, eager to reacquaint myself with her signature quirky, funny characters.
Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie
A friend gifted me with this book, insisting it’s a must for all women looking for inspiration as they age. Blackie reimagines the “hag,” known as the wise woman in ancient times, offering examples for flourishing as we age. Could be a great book club read.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
For insight into how early life experiences shape us, Mate offers an eye-opening read. He insists that “normal” as defined by Western culture misses the point because it fails to consider how early traumas shape our physical health. Mate is a proponent of the body-mind connection, encouraging all those (often women) who act as caretakers to stop sacrificing themselves because in doing so they are risking their physical health.
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Three young women from very different backgrounds meet when they work top secret jobs at England’s infamous Bletchley Park, the epicenter for cracking German codes during World War ll. Suspense jumps off the page. You may stay up all night until you finish this page-turner.
War in Ukraine by Medea Benjamin and Nicholas Davies
Medea, a founder of the peace organization, Codepink, and co-author Davies, offer a well-researched look at the current conflict in Ukraine. A must read for all who want a comprehensive understanding of how the US became involved in the war.
HERE’S TO YOUR READING ADVENTURES!
