Stone Mattress: Nine Tales
by Margaret Atwood

This is Atwood’s latest release—a collection of nine short stories. I’ve had the book since it came out in September, but I’ve forced myself to read slowly to savor it. While I enjoyed Atwood’s science fiction/future dystopian novels, I’m really enjoying this return to the feminist novelist I fell in love with as a young woman. The first three stories in the collection are connected—each is presented from a different perspective about a pretentious famous poet and his love interests. Throughout the three stories, a lot of time is covered—at one point in one of the stories the poet is young and unknown, in another, we witness the poet’s funeral (after he died as old man). Atwood does an amazing job of weaving wit and irony with the human condition, and incorporating new technology (which should not have come as a surprise—if you want to talk to Atwood, get on Twitter—really).

The Obituary Writer
by Ann Hood

I’m enjoying this novel of two tales, separated by about 40 years: one, an obituary writer in the early 1900s and the other, a housewife in the late 1950s. While it’s fiction, the role of women in these two time periods seem to be based in fact. I’m intrigued by the obituary writer’s gift to connect with the departed in a way that is so meaningful to the family left behind and I’m a bit worried about the housewife acting in ways considered unacceptable. I’m curious to see what the connection between these two women will be and what happens in their lives. I’m looking forward to what I suspect will be a great book club discussion when the Women’s book group discusses it in November!

The Boys in the Boat
by Lin Enger

Last month I know nothing about crew, or competitive rowing. This month, I’ve been watching races on You Tube. What made the difference? Listening to the audio book of The Boys in the Boat. It’s the non-fiction account of the rowing team from the University of Washington which won the gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and it’s a fascinating story. The book follows members of the team, the sons of laborers who struggled to survive during the Depression. It focuses on Joe Rantz, who’d been forced out of his family by his stepmother and made his own way from a very young age. The book draws on the memories and journals of team members as it shows how difficult life was during the Depression-era, the chilling rise of the Nazis both in Germany and as a world power, and the incredible achievement by a group of young men who worked together to realize a dream. I learned that crew was once an incredibly popular spectator sport in our country and I can believe it—the play by plays of races was gripping. And a fun factoid:  Louis Zamparini, the main character in Unbroken, made a cameo appearance in The Boys in the Boat as our country’s Olympians journeyed to Berlin in 1936.

Orphan Train
by Christine Baker Kline

Kline’s novel offers the reader a look at a part of our nation’s history of which few are aware. This story is presented through two strong, courageous women-one old, one young, as they search for happiness in a world which can often be lonely, cruel and insensitive to the plight of an individual’s journey towards acceptance and fulfillment.

Scavengers
by Michael Perry

Ford Falcon is a young heroine extremely easy to identify with as she recites Emily Dickinson’s poetry on one page and pepper-bombs a solar bear on the next. This novel poses the difficult question: how much of our personal freedom are we as a society willing to sacrifice to a higher authority to protect ourselves from the dangerous mistakes a free society can possibly make. Buy the book for the 8-12 year old on your Christmas list, but give yourself a gift and read the book before wrapping it!

Shotgun Lovesongs
by Nickolas Butler

This is the poignant novel of four men reunited as adults in the small Wisconsin town in which they grew up. The basis for their childhood friendships are revisited and the questions about their continued friendships are raised as they struggle with life’s complexities. As the story continues, these four men learn the true meaning of adult friendship which involves sacrifice, compassion, commitment, and understanding.

Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir
by Alan Cumming

Generally speaking, I am not a fan of memoirs by celebrities no matter how much I might enjoy their work. That said, I loved this book. I have been a fan of Alan Cumming as an actor and singer for many years, but now I am a fan of the writer. Brutally honest, vulnerable, funny, a bit tragic and, in the end, so hopeful…what a great read!  Whether or not you know his work, (probably best known for his ongoing role as Eli Gold on The Good Wife), his book is one that I would recommend. I expect to read it more than once. 

One Hundred Names
by Cecelia Ahern

Journalist Kitty Logan's career has been jeopardized, possibly even ruined, due to a lack of judgment on her part.  At the same time, her mentor, Constance, is dying.  Kitty takes on the mission of writing the story that Constance always wanted to write.  Constance leaves Kitty with a list of one hundred names.  It is up to Kitty to find the people on the list and figure out the connection between them.  The story has mystery to it as well as elements of humor.  One Hundred Names is an entertaining and ultimately hopeful story.