What We’re Reading

“THE WRIGHT BROTHERS”

by David McCullough

Red, Wine & Bleu

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and biographer David McCullough employed all his research skills to immerse readers in his masterfully detailed telling of the story of two brothers from Ohio who taught the world how to fly. The author dug deep to find out how they did it, and why they did it, and what happened to them in the years that followed.

The readers of Red, Wine & Bleu voted it their best read of 2015.

“One of our members read breathlessly, wondering how this amazing family was going to solve each new problem. There were childhood bullies, sickness, extensive experimentation, plane wrecks, lawsuits, destruction of property, and clashes with the rich families of Europe, as well as the governments of America, England and France. One reader said the book felt like a well-written suspense novel. We were all impressed by the loyalty of the Wright family members to one another.”

“THE NIGHT CIRCUS”

by Erin Morgenstern

Fair and Tender Ladies

This debut author has spun a mesmerizing story of a mysterious circus that “arrives without warning” and its two stars, Celia and Marco, who are both capable of real magic, yet locked in a remarkable battle of imagination and will. This 19th century flight of fancy is a tale of love, joy, deceit, heartbreak, and magic. The Fair and Tender Ladies were unanimous in their praise for the novel.

“All we could do was talk over each other as we exclaimed our favorite tents, shows … What a wonder of a book. Beautifully written, wonderfully crafted, hugely imagined … We were also overwhelmed by the fact that (the author) is young and this is her first novel.”

“KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST”

by J. Ryan Stradal

Bend Bookworms

This story of Eva Thorvald and her discerning palate is a fast-moving tale of sorrow, sensuality, humor, and foresight mixed with real recipes. Similar to “Olive Kitteridge,” this is a “novel of stories” told from the points of view of eight different characters, touching indirectly on Eva’s life. Each chapter tells the story of a single dish and character, with the stories integrated in the last two chapters. Stradal, a Midwesterner himself, has written a story about food, family, and maturing into the life you were born to live, sometimes without really knowing why.

Some of the Bookworm members “are from the Midwest and familiar with Scandinavian delicacies so it was fun to talk about their experiences in relation to the book … Whether you like the book or not, it is a good book for book club discussion.”

“THE BIRTH OF THE PILL”

by Jonathan Eig

Chapter Chicks

Eig’s history of the development of oral contraceptives is a vividly written cultural history that is narrative nonfiction at its best. This well-researched history of larger-than-life characters is a biography, not a science book.

The Chapter Chicks could all relate to this book.

“The author’s careful telling of the interconnectedness of the four people who inspired, funded, and created this culture-changing ‘item’ in our lives was compelling. We began our meeting with a champagne toast to Margaret Sanger (her favorite beverage). Women everywhere owe her a great deal.”

“QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”

by Susan Cain

Bibliobabes

In a culture where everything seems geared toward extroverts, Susan Cain quietly invites the reader to better understand the place of introverts (over one-third of us) in culture and society. Through psychological research, personal experiences of real people, and studies of brain chemistry, Cain defines a new and valuable paradigm that calls us to rethink the way we value human contribution.

The Bibliobabes enjoyed “an open, honest and informative discussion” of the book.

“There is much more to say on her topic of introverts finding their way in our extroverted culture, and ultimately we agreed Cain’s book has created an opening to have the conversation.”