July Book Club

Hello Readers!

I hope you all enjoyed our June book, "The Lion Women of Tehran". What a good book, and the parallels to our country today were pretty crazy. This book was the perfect example of why I love book clubs - I would never have chosen this selection on my own, but I'm so glad I read it!

For July, we'll be reading "The Names" by Florence Knapp. I encourage everyone to read and share your comments here.

A synopsis: In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.

Hope you enjoy this compelling read and I look forward to your thoughts.