If You Only Read One: September 2019
We know that we read — and review — a lot of books. It definitely helps that there are three of us, in that regard. So with this feature, we want to tell you our favorite read of the month - if we only recommend one book to pick up, what would it be?
Shannon
“The Chestnut Man” by Soren Sveistrup
This was one of my September Books of the Month (I can never pick just one), and it was the only actual book I took with me on my recent vacation. (I had to downsize and bring my Kindle for packing purposes.) This is a very creepy, very murdery, very suspenseful Danish crime thriller that I absolutely loved. So many twists and turns and I wasn’t surprised to learn that the author also writes for TV. It’s not a quick read (more than 500 pages, I believe), which made it perfect for vacay, despite its murdery content.
Elizabeth
“The Only Plane in the Sky” by Garrett M. Graff
I think I started my review of this one with “YOU NEED TO READ THIS” (maybe not quite as declarative…), and that’s something I totally stand by. Garrett Graff’s oral history of 9/11 is a must-read-even-though-you-will-cry-book. He spoke to over 200 people that were intimately involved in that day — people who worked at the Pentagon and World Trade Center, First Responders, family members, and government officials — and created a vivid portrait of what actually happened. Even though I knew what happened, broadly, on that day, this took you into the action. What astounded me the most though was that while it was a story of unmistakable tragedy, it was at its core, a story of hope and love. I laughed, I cried, I felt good about my fellow man. Read it. And then come to me and talk about it, please.
Moira
“The Jetsetters'“ by Amanda Eyre Ward
Guyyyyys I’m very sorry to do you dirty by recommending a book that won’t be out until February, it is a truly evil thing for me to do. Forgive me. However, I love love loved this book about three siblings and their mother facing their tumultuous shared past while on a European cruise together. It has strong “Transparent” vibes, if that’s your kind of thing.
It has the vibe of a light read while tackling serious stuff, which is right up my alley. As a member of a sibling triad, I related to the interpersonal dynamics and the way we all regress to our earliest selves when we’re with our immediate family, for better or worse (mostly worse.) I highly recommend you pre-order this. I’m also excited to check out Amanda Eyre Ward’s previous books and have checked several out from the library this week!
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