Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. So we asked them, and all Denver Post readers, to share their mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email bellis@denverpost.com.
“Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books,” by Kirsten Miller (William Morrow, 2024)
If you’re dismayed by the state of current U.S. politics (meaning the far right, as well as the far left), you will enjoy “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller. A thoroughly engaging and laugh-out-loud romp through current times through the eyes of several hilarious Georgian characters. This literary escape is also sympathetic, clever and relevant, and proves that complex societal issues can sometimes be explained with a dose of common sense. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Joanna Johnson, Denver
“Us Fools,” by Nora Lange (Two Dollar Radio, 2020)
An early version of this debut novel was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2020, recognizing novels that “explore and expand possibilities of the form.” It’s a sort of coming-of-age novel, nonlinear in form, with stream-of-consciousness recollections told from the perspective of the younger of two sisters, often referred to by their parents as “you fools.” Somewhat overwritten at times, with 11-year-old children spouting ideas more commonly associated with graduate seminars on postmodernism, this nonetheless compelling novel looks at the impacts of the 1980s family farm crisis in the Midwest, mental health, Vietnam veterans’ PTSD and the toxicity of family myths. — 2 1/2 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver
“There are Rivers in the Sky,” by Elif Shafak (Alfred A.Knopf, 2024)
“The stories of our ancestors are the roots that hold us up through tempests and high winds.” Three stories conjoin in this novel about the influence and confluence of rivers in our lives. H- (Zaleekah), -O- (Arthur), and -H (Narin) live in different eras, yet share passions. Shafak slips in historic people and current events, adroitly using imagery to lend coherence. I thought I knew where the narrative was going (I was only partly correct) and yet I was still captivated. This well-written book would give groups much to discuss. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker
“Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson; updated edition 2020)
World War ll continues to consume a disproportionate amount of our literary attention. Its heroes and villains are larger than life, at least until recently, and every aspect of existence on the planet was affected. Still, we rarely get insight into the personal lives of our erstwhile enemies. Bonhoeffer changes that for the German civilian population. This man is the stuff from whom saints, martyrs and superheroes are made. Born into an influential, aristocratic, intellectual family, his entire life was dedicated to the practical application of his Christian principles. This inevitably made him a target for Hitler and Nazi confederates. He wrote and traveled widely, successfully dodging attempts to pin him down until well into the conflict. Now the main character in a major film, his best-known quote is especially pertinent today. “What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straightforward men.” — 4 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, bonniemccune.com