Dear Great
Book Guru, My friends and I are looking for some good books to read over the
next few months- preferably novels that will help us learn something about the
world beyond our borders. February seems
like a good month to start on this project - any thoughts? Eager to Learn
Dear Eager
to Learn, I recently read a book that I
found both moving and enlightening: AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins. The narrator Lydia Perez
owns a small bookstore in Acapulco, Mexico. She is married to Sebastian - a
journalist - and they have a young son, Luca. Her life takes on a level of danger
when she discovers that this new friend is a notorious and violent drug cartel
leader. Moments later we are witness to
a horrific massacre at a birthday party Lydia is hosting - the only survivors
are Lydia and her son. Sixteen family members are killed including her husband,
and it is clear she and Luca are in mortal danger. Thus begins her terror-filled journey north to
the United States. Along the way we meet an array of characters – some
extraordinarily kind, some craven and evil - all colorfully described. Each new encounter is filled with dread as we
wonder will she be able to survive and hopefully prosper. The plight of the migrant is portrayed in excruciating
detail, and we are confronted with the thought throughout: “there but for
fortune go you or I.” Highly recommended!
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