The end of the year is rapidly approaching and for many of us this is a time to spend with close friends and family. It’s a time for reflection about ourselves and the lives we’ve shared with those we love.
Family stories have always been good discussion books. One of the more recent classics is The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. This chronicle of the Lambert family takes a hard look at the contemporary American family and the role that materialism has played in our culture. These family members will give your group much to discuss.
Another title in our Speaking of Books collection that explores family is Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose. This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is the story of an historian who researches his family roots set against the background of the American West. This is a compelling story with strong characters that explores family relationships with truth and empathy.
Marilynne Robinson’s Home is a companion piece to her Pulitzer Prize winning Gilead. Two siblings from a large family, both searching for redemption, return home to Gilead, Iowa. This is a moving story about family, secrets, faith and unconditional love.
In The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff, Willie Upton returns to her hometown after a failed affair with a professor. Willie becomes entangled in a mystery as she sets out to learn the truth about her family. Cleverly written and full of surprising twists, you will find yourself empathizing with Willie as she begins to find her true self.
Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos is sure to be a book club favorite. It is the story of the Jones siblings whose mother disappeared in a tornado when they were children. Years later, after their father’s death, they re-examine this childhood tragedy and how it shaped their lives. Set in a small town in Nebraska with lots of great characters, it is a story of grief, community and family bonds.
I love a good family saga, but when I want to laugh, I turn to David Sedaris. His stories are filled with tales of his quirky family. Although your relatives may not be exactly like his, his humorous stories will make you laugh and remember all those crazy moments that make your own family unique.
So as the year draws to an end, take a little time to reflect on your family and loved ones. What better way to obtain a sense of perspective and insight than through one of these special books?
