Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m a midlife reader and mom of two teenagers, finally reclaiming a little time and enthusiastically filling it with books. I grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, always trying to get to the used bookstore across from my grandmother’s house, where my love of stories first took root. That love has followed me through many moves and chapters of life, inspiring me to start book clubs wherever our family landed. Over the years, I’ve learned one thing for certain: book people are the best people.
What is your favorite genre?
Contemporary Fiction – but I really love everything!
What city do you live in?
Mason, Ohio
1.
Homegoing
Yaa Gyasi
Why did you like it?
I love the way Gyasi explores generational trauma with such precision and emotional depth. Her writing is beautifully articulated and concise- my favorite kind of storytelling! I love books that say so much without excess.
2.
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Why did you like it?
This is the book I’ve returned to most throughout my life. I love the sisterhood, the depth of the female personalities especially Jo’s spunky, determined spirit. It’s endlessly inspiring and deeply comforting.
3.
Intermezzo
Sally Rooney
Why did you like it?
This novel pulled me in so deep to the interior lives of its characters in a way few books do. Sally Rooney is a master at shifting points of view and creating a subtle unreliability of each narrator. This showcases how perspective can shape truth, memory, and relationships. Intermezzo offers a full, honest display of the human condition: messy, tender, contradictory, and deeply recognizable.
4.
Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Grams
Why did you like it?
I found this novel sharp, funny and deeply satisfying. At its core is a woman who refuses to shrink herself to make others comfortable, even when faced with th difficult choices of choosing herself over her career. I love that it moves quickly but still has so much to say. It’s perfect for readers who love strong, unapologetic female leads and stories about ambition, identity, and resilience.
5.
The Heart’s Invisible Furies
John Boyne
Why did you like it?
This novel completely won me over with its deeply human heart and sweeping scope. It’s funny yet so heartbreaking! So beware. If follows one life across decades, capturing love, identity, regret and belonging. I love talking about this one with other readers.