WHAT THE ALUMS ARE READING

This list is meant to be fluid, growing, ever-changing. It's an eclectic list of favorites, current reads, and recommendations. We hope you'll add to it often. Add your current book pick

The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
I just finished Beverly Lewis' The Sacrifice. It appears to be part of a series. The story is about an Amish girl who upon the death of her mother raises the two youngest children; the story of her shunned elder sister; the story of her only true love. It is also an insight into the Amish who have family disagreements, religious disagreements, community disagreements, and children who don't walk the path as we think they should. I really enjoyed the book as it gave me insight in a another way of life and religious beliefs. Although it is fiction, it is written by a woman with Amish roots.
Wendy Masters, Indiana USA
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The Apothecary Rose by Candace Robb
This is the first book in a series about the fictional Welshman Owen Archer, former captain of archers for a duke, set in the middle ages. I love this kind of book, even with the author's explanation of the historical liberties she took, and I plan to re-read the whole series, and hope to buy the books to add to my collection. Historical murder mysteries are my favorites, and a little romance in them doesn't hurt. (Of course, Tony Hillerman's present-day mysteries involving several of the Navajo police are my favorites as well, since they deal with such an interesting way of life and geographical setting.
Helen Bratzel, Ferndale, Michigan USA
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Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Wonderful story about women's hunger for knowledge and freedom to learn.
Leanne Feuerborn, Batavia, Illinois USA
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Farseer Trilogy/Liveship Trilogy/Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb
Great speculative fiction author; there is even a breastfeeding scene. What is more important in those books is relationships between characters, and how they grow up.
It almost made me forgot of my leader activites! Fabienne Auffret-Boulet, Fresnes, France
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Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America by James Webb
I'm still reading it, but it is fascinating to me learning about who the Scots-Irish, or Ulster Scots were and what they became as Americans. History or genealogy buffs, especially those of Scots-Irish ancestry will enjoy this read. Susan Mocsny Baker, Texas USA
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Real Belonging: A Novel by Lynn Price
This book is a quick-read about a woman who grew up in foster care, who started an organization where siblings who have been separated are able to come together once a year in "Camp to Belong." It is a wonderful solution for children who have been separated from their brothers and sisters, and an interesting book. Joanne Wandry
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Blackberry Wine: A Novel by Joan Harris
This book was my most recent Book Club read, and I found it to be delightful, as did all my book group members. There have been some poor reviews on Amazon, but also some good ones; personally I agree with the positive reviews. Would I rate it one of the best I've read? No, too many marvelous books out there, but I found myself wanting to pick it up every night and continue reading. Janet Haarbauer

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I'm A Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson
Funny. Mary Baker, California, USA. [April 2005]
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The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Ann Fadiman.
I think you will find this book fascinating -- a nonfiction book about a Hmong baby diagnosed with severe epilepsy and the struggle her parents and doctors had understanding each other. Anne Fadiman writes with compassion and depth about all the people involved. Both my book groups had great discussions about this book.
Barbi Greenlaw, Iowa, USA. [March 2005]
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.
It's a timely topic for me and makes a lot of sense when looking at why and how some teams work and some don't.
Nancy Franklin, Texas, USA. [March 2005]
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The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.
The Red Tent is historical fiction, it is based on a story in the Bible.
Susan Waterman, Maryland, USA. [March 2005]
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Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks
Like Kite Runner, this gives us an easy way to glimpse into cultures in the news. Even better, Brooks lets us see into the lives of the Middle Eastern Islamic women she interviewed and lived among for six years. Though not a novel, it is nearly as gripping as The Kite Runner. Both are wonderful escapes that help feel the humanity of people living in different lives in different places.
Penny Geis, Massachusetts, USA [March 2005]
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Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
A professor gathers seven students to read forbidden Western classics. It is a remarkable story of the resilience of women in the face of tyranny.
Sharon Fairborn, California, USA [February 2005]
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The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This is an amazing story of the power of a mother's love.
Peggy Halford, Texas, USA. [February 2005]
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Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. My book club (all former LLL members) decided to read some classics that we always meant to read. This month we are discussing Anna Karenina and I'm really enjoying it. The book is more than 800 pages long but it is full of wonderful bits of wisdom and a good story. Set aside a few months and tackle Anna!
Stephanie Weishaar [February 2005]
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The Kite Runner by Khalaed Hosseini was a wonderfully written novel, with an exceptional insight into Afghanistan's culture and recent history.
Sue Christensen, Indiana USA [February 2005]
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Mostly non-fiction, especially history, although I have to admit a deep affection for the poetry of Robert Frost!
Meg Sondey, Mexico [October 2004]
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Recently I've enjoyed The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, One Blue Shoe by Anne LaMott.
Nancy Franklin, Texas USA [October 2004]
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The Pact: a Love Story by Jodi Picoult, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Sharon Fairborn, California USA [October 2004]
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It never gets old!
Janet Jendron, South Carolina USA [October 2004]
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I like to read to escape so I prefer romance, especially anything written by Nora Roberts, LaVryle Spencer or our own LLL Alumnae, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Harriet Smiley, Connecticut USA [October 2004]