The Lower River
by Paul Theroux
(6/12)
Travel writer Theroux examines the consequences of international aid in this provocative tale of a former Peace Corps worker who returns to the African village he was stationed 40 years ago to find disturbing changes.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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Quiet
by Susan Cain
(1/12)
Quiet looks at how our society often undervalues introverts as well as the contributions that introverts have made. This book provides a new perspective of group dynamics which can apply to schools, families, and the business world. Great book to discuss!
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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The Boy in the Moon
by Ian Brown
(7/12)
An emotionally honest look at raising a child with an extremely rare genetic disease. A beautifully written memoir portraying the incredible journey one father experiences in order to understand, accept, and help his son find his place in society. This book brings up many issues about our healthcare system, caregiving, and compassion.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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The End of Your Life Book Club
by Will Schwalbe
(9/12)
An incredibly moving memoir about the power of books. Schwalbe formed a book group with his remarkable mother during her cancer treatment which provided them both comfort and insight during a difficult time. A great list of the titles they read together shows the range of topics and genres they discussed. This is a perfect book group read.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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A Good American
by Alex George
(pub. 2/12)
A touching multigenerational novel about a German immigrant family and their gradual assimilation into American society. The reader sees the family live through wars, marriages, work, birth and death and we see our own family through their stories. This is a very different type of immigrant novel as the author explores what it means to be a good American.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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The Art of Fielding
by Chad Harbach
(pub. 8/11)
This clever novel uses baseball as a metaphor for life. The characters often find fielding plays on the ball field easier than dealing with problems off the field. Finding one’s passion and accepting one’s limitations are central to this debut novel full of memorable characters. Perfect for book groups.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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The Geography of Bliss
by Eric Weiner
(pub. 1/09)
This is both an amusing and informative account of one man’s experience traveling the world on a quest to discover which country contains the happiest residents and why. We learn much about the 10 countries, and the author’s findings on what contributes to happiness are very surprising. Readers will surely find the observations about America’s happiness quotient very insightful.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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Behind the Beautiful Forevers
by Katherine Boo
(pub. 2/12)
Next to the luxury hotels in Mumbai live thousands of Indians in the Annawadi slums. This is a revealing portrait of individuals trying to move ahead amidst corruption and a lack of education and opportunity. Moving stories of survival in what seems a hopeless environment are contained in this excellent piece of investigative journalism.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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Freedom
by Jonathan Franzen
(pub. 9/11)
No other novelist portrays the American family quite like Franzen. He is a master of detail and dialogue. His prose authentically reflects the cultural and political climate of contemporary society with great wit and style. The concept of “freedom” relates to every relationship, life stage, and conflict in this sprawling novel, leaving the reader wondering if freedom is a blessing or a burden. Wonderful satirical social commentary.
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Kathy – Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville
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