A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hoseini

Women in Pakistan have had a challenging journey toward independence and back again toward suppression. This book chronicles the intersecting lives of two women in Pakistan and spans decades of political turmoil. It's both heartbreaking and hopeful and the prose is stunning. This is by the same author who wrote The Kite Runner. This might seem like the story would be a drag, but it's actually quite fast-paced. I read it in two days because I could hardly put it down.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, is a story about a teenage boy as he faces his mother's battle with cancer. It is a well-written, easy - but emotionally honest - read.

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacIntyre, is a true story of a KGB agent who gets involved in British espionage. It offers a glimpse into the training and mentality of the KGB and insight into how the Cold War was fought through spies.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Set in the earlier years of the opioid epidemic, this book deals with themes of identity, race, belonging, stigma, and so many other things important to Daunis, a biracial, Ojibwe teen from Michigan who is not an enrolled member of her father's Sugar Island Ojibwe Nation. Most chapters ended with cliff hangers, making this book nearly impossible to put down and I loved every second of Daunis's story. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

I loved the two main female characters and the way the author portrayed them. Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist so when she writes it's very detailed and her dual plots moving at the same time and then tying it all together at the end is a master piece.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

This is a great summer read - The story is about a woman in the tech field who is feeling isolated when she is given a sourdough starter by an immigrant cook who must flee the country. As she works to keep the sourdough starter alive and learn how to bake the organic world of cooking and baking fuse with her electronic worklife to create a comedic and heartwarming story. Highly recommend!

Gifts Of Imperfection by Brene Brown

In my opinion it should be mandatory reading in high schools everywhere. I've gifted this book to many students the last few years and I've had most students come back to thank me.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Caught in the midst of political changes in Russia, the Count finds himself under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow. Although resigned to a life within the walls of the hotel, circumstances transpire to 'enlarge' the Count's life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book in large part due to the superb writing style and ingenious descriptions. For example, the author compares hand-sewing to 'Arachne's art...with a plethora of stitches'. Well worth a careful read to enjoy the creative descriptions and the development of characters.

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Rauf

This book offers a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, and shows the importance of kindness and friendship.