Westport Public Library BOOK blog

It’s hard to believe the presidential election is finally over. The longest presidential campaign in history has been the focus of our attention for months but as my title suggests – change has come. We are in the middle of an historic moment as the first African-American gets set to recite the oath of office and take his place among the leaders of the world. As the new administration is being formed, this is an opportune time for book clubs to learn more about our president-elect.

Barack Obama has given us the opportunity to know his life story and learn what his political philosophy is with the two books he has already written. Dreams from My Father is the memoir he wrote after the sudden death of his father. Obama traces his own roots back to the heartland of America and to Kenya in Africa, searching for the meaning of his identity. This is a compelling memoir that book clubs should find both inspiring and thought provoking. In The Audacity of Hope President-elect Obama sets forth his vision for America. He understands the complex problems we face as a nation and how difficult it can be to change. His thoughts and ideas for the future of our country compliment the story of his life. It’s clear that many Americans have already embraced his message. Book clubs will find both books well written with lots to discuss.

During his term in the White House, President-elect Obama may get the opportunity to appoint one or more Supreme Court justices. One of the most popular book club choices this fall has been The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court by Jeffrey Toobin, a staff writer at The New Yorker. Toobin’s book is based on exclusive interviews with the nine justices of the court. More often than you might imagine personalities come into play as much as constitutional law when many Supreme Court decisions are handed down. This is a fascinating book by an excellent storyteller. Your book group will enjoy this one.

Politics and government often form the basis for some of the best fiction books. If your club prefers fiction, America America by Ethan Canin would make a great book club choice. This is the story of a young man who gets involved in the rise and fall of a national politician. Canin has intertwined his characters with the real events of the sixties and seventies. Many of the issues during that time period are similar to what we are facing today.

So before the new administration begins, add one of these political reads to your booklist. Be informed and be prepared as the next chapter, perhaps one of the most important chapters, in American history begins.