People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

After reading this I wondered if I have enough time left in my life to become a rare book conservator just so I could become Hanna Heath. She is called to Sarajevo after the war to determine the authenticity of a rare copy of the haggadah saved from the library in that city. As she examines the pages she finds bits of this and that left in the book by previous owners. At each discovery, we are treated to beautifully written historical fiction attached to that item all the way back to the 15th century. It is part mystery, part romance and all wonderful. It is one of my all time favorite books.

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

The real Frank Lloyd Wright history that is part of this story is fascinating. This happened to be one of the many books I read that addressed the idea of the consequences of pursuing your own dream. The more our lives become attached to others, the more complicated it becomes to “follow our bliss”.

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

I wanted this to be like Three Cups of Tea but it was more Reading Lolita in Tehran. I was all about her getting to really understand the Afghan women and moving outside the safe NGO compounds. But then I did some research on Rodriguez and found out that the school is closed and that although the book brought her great recognition, it put the women she wrote about in danger. What I can’t believe is how people living in a war zone continue to live “life as usual”. How do you worry about a manicure when bombs are falling around you. Not to mention being terrorized by your husband.

Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan

Fascinating. I thought I knew about the Dust Bowl but I learned so much more. The idea of the giant cloud of dust moving across the United States really made an impression.

Lottery by Patricia Wood

Perry L. Crandall is 37 years old and he is not retarded. In the Reader's Digest, he learned that 75 or less is your number if you are retarded and his number is 76. His gram, who he has always lived with, says he is just slow and slow and steady wins the race. She also says the L in his name stands for lucky which turns out to be true since he wins the Washington State Lottery. This brings out a few too many cousin-brothers who wanted nothing to do with him when it might have meant that they would share in his care but are all about family now that they might share in his wealth. Fortunately he has made a few very good friends who do what they can to protect him and his money. In the end, he proves that IQ can often be irrelevant to wisdom and a few simple lessons about how to live a true and honest life may be all you need for success and happiness. That is echt (look it up). This is a happy book and worthy of comment from all the educators in the group.