The following books have been selected for discussion in 2021:
January (1-28-21): American Nations, Colin Woodard
A nonfiction history of the 11 rival regional cultures of North America that explodes the red state/blue state myth.
February (2-25-21): Arrowsmith, Sinclair Lewis
This novel—part satire and part morality tale—is the story of a bright and scientifically minded Martin Arrowsmith as he makes his way from a small town in the Midwest to the upper echelons of the scientific community.
March (3-25-21): Born a Crime, Trevor Noah
A nonfiction memoir of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man, and the struggles he has finding himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist.
April (4-22-21): The Shadow Land, Elizabeth Kostova
Searching for the owners of a mysterious urn that has fallen into her possession, a young American traveler takes a weeklong drive through Bulgaria, guided by an enigmatic cabdriver.
May (5-27-21): And the Pursuit of Happiness, Maira Kalman
Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, the author travels to Washington D.C., launching a yearlong investigation of American democracy and its workings.
June (6-24-21): Circe, Madeline Miller
Despised by her family, Circe discovers her powers of sorcery when she turns a human fisherman into a god.
July (7-22-21): Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer
With graceful prose, the author, a botanist and professor of plant ecology, encourages readers to consider the ways that our lives and language weave through the natural world.
August (8-26-21): Nothing to See Here, Kevin Wilson
A moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with remarkable and disturbing abilities.
September (9-23-21): Dear Church, Lenny Duncan
A love letter from a black preacher to the whitest denomination in the United States.
October (10-28-21): Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, Mario Vargas Llosa
A multi-layered novel set in Lima, Peru. A young student toiling away in a local radio station’s news department has his life disrupted by the arrival of his aunt and a manic radio scriptwriter.
November: This month will be skipped.
December (12-2-21): Harriet the Spy, Louise Fitzhugh
A timeless children’s classic that was challenged for being “too dark” and encouraging children to disrespect their parents.
The Nokomis Heights Book Club has been meeting via ZOOM during the COVID-19 pandemic. When warm weather has allowed for outdoor gathering, the Book Club has also met in backyards, physically distanced and wearing masks. Meeting together in the church building will not take place until it is safe to do so. Everyone is invited to read the books and join the discussion! For more information contact the church office at office@nokomisheights.org.Download
