Because as much as it hurt, we couldn't look away.

 

Combining unadorned realism with profound empathy, House of Sand and Fog is a devastating¹ exploration of the American Dream gone awry².

 

 

Because we'll probably never embark³ on a trip like this -- in fact, we're sitting in a cubicle⁴. But we adored going along for the ride.

 

Culinary delights, rigorous spiritual searching and exhilarating romance (in that order) were all in store, and we devoured⁵ every detail. Afterward⁶, we couldn't stop talking about Gilbert's adventures in self-discovery -- and our own.

 

 

Because three awesome⁸ beekeepers taught us about the value of mothering ourselves.

 

With its "hive" of great characters and its uplifting message of self-empowerment, Bees was the novel for mothers and daughters of all ages to share.

 

 

Because Barbara Kingsolver has a sneaky way of making us more empathic.

 

This novel features five narrators, observing and commenting the clash of cultures, the struggle to overcome stifling⁹ conventions, and the preservation¹⁰ of heritage.

 

 

Because Barbara Kingsolver has a sneaky way of making us more empathic.

 

This novel features five narrators, observing and commenting the clash of cultures, the struggle to overcome stifling conventions, and the preservation of heritage.

 

 

Because who doesn't love a pachyderm and a happy ending?

 

This depression-era tale of life with a third-rate traveling circus centers on orphaned¹¹ animal caretaker Jacob, the woman he loves and her cruel and abusive husband, who happens to be the boss.

 

 

Because the anguish¹³ of unrequited love makes for riveting¹⁴ reading.

 

This quiet, heart-piercing novel showed us the cost of misplaced loyalties¹⁵ and missed opportunity, and reminded us of the happiness we must claim for ourselves.

 

 

Because we would have never known the truth without it.

 

Henrietta Lacks was a poor, Southern tobacco farmer, yet her cells -- taken without her knowledge -- became one of the most important tools in medicine.

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