Blood and guts, science, sickness and death seemed to be the accidental themes of this party. With a bit of whaling thrown in for good measure.
Kay
After we die: The life and times of the human cadaver by Norman L. Cantor
Describes what happens to the body after we die — not just the biology of it, but also legal and ethical issues that crop up in different cultures. Eye-opening, especially the part about organ donation. Written in an accessible style and not at all gory.
Terese
Fortunes of War: The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning
Three novels that follow a young British couple living in Bucharest at the start of WW II who are then forced to flee to Athens and later to Cairo. As much about the characters’ emotional lives — particularly the ups and downs of a marriage — as about the circumstances of being displaced by war. Just the thing if you want to get caught up in a long novel.
Susan C.
In the heart of the sea: the tragedy of the whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
Recreates the harrowing ordeals endured by the crew of an 1819 whaling ship that was sunk by a sperm whale. Based upon the diary of a cabin boy. (The story of the Essex was an inspiration for Melville’s Moby Dick.)
Blood: An epic history of medicine and commerce by Douglas Starr
Covers World War II battlefield transfusions, the history of blood banks, hemophilia, and AIDS. Written for “the regular person.”
Ana
The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Just started reading this for a book group. The author is skilled at explaining medical issues to the layperson. (Lafayette has chosen this as the orientation reading for new first year students.)
Taking the leap: Freeing ourselves from old habits and fears by Pema Chodron
A short book for those who are interested in some of the principles of Buddhism.
Thiana
Blood, bones, and butter: the inadvertent education of a reluctant chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
An intriguing chef’s memoir despite some huge emotional gaps.
Rebecca
Evidence of things unseen: A novel by Marianne Wiggins
A love story of an amateur scientist and a glassblower’s daughter. Take place from WW I through the end of WW II, when the main character unknowingly participates in the development of the atomic bomb.
Hannah
Passages of H. M.: A novel of Herman Melville by Jay Parini
Parini makes the reader feel passionately about the novel’s characters. At times Hannah hated Melville so much that she expected his long-suffering wife to kill him.
Jayne Trent
The chain letter of the soul: New and selected poems by Bill Holm
Works by a solitary poet, including a series on the box elder beetle. Jayne has just discovered his poetry, but likes it so much that she plans to read it during the April poetry reading.
Kandyce
Year of wonders: A novel of the plague by Geraldine Brooks
A novel based on the story of an English village that decides to quarantine itself when plague breaks out in 1663.
Edgar Cayce: An American prophet by Sidney D. Kirkpatrick
A bit on the slow side, but still a fascinating portrait of psychic Cayce.
Scott
The walking dead compendium one by Robert Kirkman
A graphic novel about people struggling to survive an apocalypse that causes the dead to rise. The first half raises interesting moral questions about how to maintain one’s humanity while fighting for survival; the second half degrades as the plot becomes more formulaic. Now also a TV series on AMC.
Katherine
God of war: A novel by Marisa Silver
Novel of a 12 year old boy who feels responsible for his mentally handicapped younger brother. Beautifully written.
The incorrigible children of Ashton Place: Book I: The mysterious howling by Maryrose Wood
A hilarious young adult novel of a young governess whose new charges were raised by wolves.