Brotherhood of Joseph: a father's memoir of infertility and adoption in the 21st Century by Brooks Hansen

Memoir
A very unusual and candid memoir from a man's point of view. Fairly emotional, sometimes funny and sometimes sad, but very real.

Submitted by Sallie

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman

Travel/Memoir

Fascinating memoir of a middle-aged woman who leaves a comfortable suburban married life for one of anthropology study and foreign cultural experiences. Over a fifteen year span, she lives in Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Bali, New Guinea, Israel, Nicaragua, Thailand, and New Zealand. It's a well-told, enlightening book filled with interesting people.

Submitted by Judith

What We Keep by Elizabeth Berg

Fiction
As the story opens, Ginny is flying to California to visit her sister, who has become seriously ill. She discovers that there is another agenda to her sister's request to visit: her sister wants both of them to see their mother, who neither has spoken with or seen in 35 years. I found this to be an interesting and heartwarming story as Ginny, now an adult and mother herself, attempts to come to terms with her childhood memories and her relationship with her mother.

Submitter by Debbie

In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld

Novel

This story explores relationships and life stories of characters inspired by the love of birds. The book richly portrays the mother/daughter dynamic and women's friendships, and it led me to a heightened appreciation and mindfulness of birds and their songs.

Submitted by Mimi

The Lost Estate (Le Grand Meaulnes) by Alain-Fournier

Novel
Published in 1913 (in French) as Le Grand Meaulnes, this little novel depicts that mysterious, dreamlike space between boyhood and manhood. Lost in a romantic fog, Meaulnes chases elusive fantasies of love, beauty, and innocence. The author died in action at the age of 28. This is his only novel.

Submitted by J.K.

Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea by Catherine Goldhammer

Memoir
Well-written story of a woman who moves away from her husband and wealthy town to a more rustic life, with her daughter on the cusp of teenage-hood. To please her daughter, and for other reasons unknown, she decides to raise chickens. I really enjoyed the details about the chickens, as well as the heart-warming portrayal of her transition.

Submitted by Judith

City of Thieves by David Benioff

Historical fiction
I found this story of two young Russian men trying to survive during the German siege of Leningrad hard to put down, though at times horrifying. The two meet, under arrest in a prison, where they can save their lives by locating a dozen eggs for a colonel's daughter's wedding cake. Their mission bonds their friendship and takes them through grueling adventures. The story is based on the memories of the author's grandfather.

Submitted by Judith