Dear Great Book Guru, This weekend we were at a fabulous family wedding. The bride and groom, Shannon and Nick, had a picture-perfect wedding day and… as so happens when our family gets together, the conversation turned to books.  Many of the cousins were excited about a new Booker Prize nominee that was a combination of family drama and sci fi.  Familiar with it?   Happy Wedding Guest 

Dear Happy Wedding Guest, The book you are searching for is Richard Powers’ BEWILDERMENT and a wonderful recommendation it is! Set in the near future, the story follows a father and son on an amazing journey. The father, Theo Byrne, is an astrobiologist recently widowed; the son is Robin, a third grader who is grieving his mother’s death. Robin is a sensitive, gifted artist and lover of nature, who has difficulty controlling his anger especially towards classmates.  When the school authorities suggest medication, Theo refuses and consults with a friend who suggests an experimental neurofeedback therapy. Robin’s parents had earlier been part of an experiment that mapped their emotions in great detail.  Soon we realize Robin is being linked to his mother’s brain patterns. The story line is interspersed with descriptions of planets throughout the galaxy where life may have existed in ways similar to ours – all with differing outcomes. What the outcome of life on planet Earth will be is the underlying theme of this novel.  A challenging but rewarding read - highly recommended!

 

Dear Great Book Guru, Last week I was at the St. Luke’s Fall Fair - such fun with great treasures and a huge array of raffles prizes plus the Church’s iconic jams and jellies! While there, I overheard a group of people talking about a new novel their book club was reading - a criminal justice thriller by a famous politician. I couldn’t hear the title… any thoughts?  Fall Fair Goer

Dear Fall Fair Goer, Stacey Abrams, famed political strategist, is the author of WHILE JUSTICE SLEEPS - a complex legal thriller with many medical and legal twists.  The narrator is Avery Keene, a recent graduate of a prestigious law school who has been hired to clerk for an elderly eccentric Supreme Court Justice, Howard Wynn.  Shortly into the book, Wynn is found unconscious – a victim of perhaps a stroke, heart attack, or attempted suicide. Much to everyone’s surprise (especially Avery’s), the Justice has left instructions that Avery is to be his legal guardian and has given her power of attorney. She soon realizes it is imperative that

the comatose Justice be protected from those within the government who are trying to overturn the power of the Court. Their plot centers on a biotech merger case that will have long term effects on this nation and countries around the world.  Will Avery and her cohorts be able to keep the Justice alive long enough and well enough to prevent this looming biogenetic catastrophe?  A very exciting, challenging thriller!