Fall Book Group Reads: Jen’s Nonfiction picks

October 3, 2013

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, death and hope in a Mumbai undercity by Katherine Boo
Based on relentless fact-finding and reporting, this harrowing story of hope and devastation in a poverty-strewn makeshift Indian town is told from the perspectives of those who live and die in Annawadi. Groups will discuss worldwide economic inequality and solutions for injustice against the powerless, government corruption and how the media exacerbate problems and whether or not a common can morality dictate public reaction to private suffering.

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their epic quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
The nine Americans in the gold-medal-winning boat were University of Washington men whose story told in this gripping and inspirational story of humble beginnings and implacable will is an important and fascinating part of Seattle’s heritage. Your group will talk about the Great Depression and its effect on Seattle’s population and social climate; about personal tragedy and overcoming; of the Nazi threat, the historical importance of the Games and what they represent to people all over the world; and about the role of sports in character development and in society as a whole.

Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The epic life and immortal photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan
In this biography that reads like an adventure story, Egan traces the life of Edward Curtis and his life-goal to capture on film over 80 Native American tribes at the turn of the last century before they disappeared. The result, his multi-volume opus, The North American Indian, cost him his marriage, his reputation and everything he owned over the 30 years it took him to create. Your group will enjoy the many illustrations and find much to discuss: Native American cultures and their history; the importance of capturing history on film; turn-of-the-century adventurers, scientists and conservationists and their influence on landscape and our understanding of history.

Marbles by Ellen Forney
Local cartoonist Forney candidly and with wry self-deprecation, illustrates her experiences with bipolar disorder and philosophizes on the relationship between art and mood disorders. Her graphic talents and sense of humor are both highly entertaining and compulsively readable. Your group discussion will be lively and fun, filled with self-discovery statements, sharing of personal stories and general comments about life and art.