Later today I’m hosting our monthly live Book Club discussion for September’s pick, Pedro Páramo (click for Zoom details).
I’ll be announcing our October Book Club pick soon, but wanted to see what recommendations you have for the coming months. What should we read next? I want to hear your thoughts.
Share your ideas below or come to the live Zoom this afternoon to chat about it with me directly.
I'm not part of the club, but if you're taking recommendations, I urge you to consider Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. It is at once intimate and epic.
The poetic, skilful writing took my breath away with every turn of the page. The story itself is about a fiercely independent female aviator whose final flight goes down in 1950. And it's told in tandem with a story about a modern day famous young actress set to portray her in a film. The plot takes so many twists and turns, rooted solidly in historical facts (about fascinating social phenomena), it has the reader on the edge of their seat, always eager for more. I just finished it and am starting it over again, I loved it so much.
Dont know if youve covered this one yet but currently Reading Vertigo Horizontal una ciudad llamada Mexico by Juan Villoro... really good attempt at getting you to understand the chaos that is la ciudad de Mexico
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants is a 2013 nonfiction book by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer, about the role of Indigenous knowledge as an alternative or complementary approach to Western mainstream scientific methodologies.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
I'm not part of the club, but if you're taking recommendations, I urge you to consider Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. It is at once intimate and epic.
The poetic, skilful writing took my breath away with every turn of the page. The story itself is about a fiercely independent female aviator whose final flight goes down in 1950. And it's told in tandem with a story about a modern day famous young actress set to portray her in a film. The plot takes so many twists and turns, rooted solidly in historical facts (about fascinating social phenomena), it has the reader on the edge of their seat, always eager for more. I just finished it and am starting it over again, I loved it so much.
Thanks for the recommendation, sounds interesting! I'll check it out.
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate
Explores addiction and the personal and societal approach to it.
I've not been part of the book club, but do subscribe to the free newsletter. Would enjoy discussing this!
Nice rec! I love his work.
Dont know if youve covered this one yet but currently Reading Vertigo Horizontal una ciudad llamada Mexico by Juan Villoro... really good attempt at getting you to understand the chaos that is la ciudad de Mexico
Seems like a good book! I'll check it out.
Braiding Sweetgrass
milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants is a 2013 nonfiction book by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer, about the role of Indigenous knowledge as an alternative or complementary approach to Western mainstream scientific methodologies.
I was considering this for the November pick! (Native American heritage month). Can you share what you liked about it?
Robin Wall Kimmerer has a gentle way of helping us to take note of the extraordinary beauty in this world. She also explains Why the world is beautiful. She is brilliant. She is kind. Her mind is creative. Every sentence is a work of art. I loved this book. After reading it, I saw everything in a new more connected way. The world around me made sense. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/why-is-the-world-so-beautiful-an-indigenous-botanist-on-the-spirit-of-life-in-everything-1.5817787
Lovely, I can't wait to check it out for myself.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants