1. “Charlie Wilson’s War: The Extraordinary Story of How the Wildest Man in Congress and a Rogue CIA Agent Changed the History of Our Times” by George Crile . A triumph of ruthless ability over scruples, this story has dominated recent history in the form of blowback: many of the men armed by the CIA became the Taliban's murderous enforcers and Osama bin Laden's protectors.
  2. “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follet, suggested by Ginny DeJohn. Chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and community as they struggle to build a cathedral in the tumultuous 12th century. LONG BOOK
  3. “The Queen and the Oil Club: The Intrepid Wanda Jablonski and the Power of Information” (Hardcover) by Anna Rubino, suggested by Barb. In the 1950s, when women were rarely hired as business reporters, Jablonski became a force in the oil industry, boldly investigating deals and tracking the trade from London to Abu Dhabi.
  4. “The Lace Reader”(Paperback) by Brunonia Barry. The site of the tragic trials in 1692 (Salem MA) is like no other town in the US. Setting her story of a mentally unbalanced young woman in Salem was a brilliant choice, because its foggy, mystical elements are more easily accepted against that most eccentric of backgrounds.
  5. “After Long Silence” (Paperback) by Helen Fremont. Raised RC, author found out family had been Jews – and were holocaust survivors who emigrated to the
  6. “The Science of Fear” by Daniel Gardner (Jo heard interview on Diane Rehm Show Aug 5.) Two reviews on Amazon.
  7. “Animal, Vegetable Miracle: A year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver, daughter and husband (Judy enjoyed - but its different. Sally also suggested.)
  8. “A Thread of Grace” by Mary Dona Russell, of “The Sparrow” fame. (Ann) A Thread of Grace is set in northern Italy during the waning days of World War II. European Jews trying to stay one step ahead of the Nazis cross the Alps into northern Italy, believing they'd find safety since Italy converted to the Allied side of the war.
  9. “Marked for Death: Dying for the Story in the World's Most Dangerous Places” by Terry Gould (Hardcover) – suggested by Wilhelmina. In this book, Terry Gould takes us behind the scenes of five crusading reporters, each of whom paid for their own courage to tackle corrupt establishments with their lives, in an effort to bring their struggles to a wider audience.
  10. “The Lacuna: A Novel” by Barbara Kingsolver In a story told entirely through diary entries and letters, we meet Harrison William Shepherd, a half-Mexican, half-American boy who grows up with his mother in Mexico. He has no education, but his love of reading and writing nurtures his own inner dialog that leads to his success as a writer. (Judy)
  11. “Three Day Road” by Joseph Boyden (Ginny, Judy)
  12. “The Zookeeper's Wife” by Diane Ackerman (Wilhelmina)
  13. “The Shadow of Ashland” by Terence M. Green (Carol?)
  14. “84 Charing Cross Road” by Helene Hanff (Jo)
  15. “Stones into Schools” by Greg Mortenson (Judy)
  16. “My Best Stories” by Alice Munro (Judy)
  17. “Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery (Carol)
  18. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot (Barb)