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Most recently published stories in BookClub.
Book Review: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma. Top Story - September 2023.
In a kingdom where flames hold magic and the desert hides secrets, an ancient prophecy comes for an assassin, a princess, and a king. But none are ready to face destiny—and the choices they make could burn the world. “If we carry the burdens of our fathers, we’ll never know what it means to be free.” For Elena Aadya Ravence, fire is yearning. She longs to feel worthy of her Phoenix god, of her ancestors who transformed the barren dunes of Sayon into a thriving kingdom. But though she knows the ways and wiles of the desert better than she knows her own skin, the secrets of the Eternal Flame elude her. And without them, she’ll never be accepted as queen. For Leo Malhari Ravence, fire is control. He is not ready to give up his crown—there’s still too much work to be done to ensure his legacy remains untarnished, his family protected. But power comes with a price, and he’ll wage war with the heavens themselves to keep from paying it. For Yassen Knight, fire is redemption. He dreams of shedding his past as one of Sayon’s most deadly assassins, of laying to rest the ghosts of those he has lost. If joining the court of flame and serving the royal Ravence family—the very people he once swore to eliminate—will earn him that, he’ll do it no matter what they ask of him. But the Phoenix watches over all and the fire has a will of its own. It will come for all three, will come for Sayon itself….and they must either find a way to withstand the blaze or burn to ash.
By Marie Sinadjan3 years ago in BookClub
Far from the Tree
Andrew Solomon investigates, in his book "Far from the Tree," how families might tolerate children with identities that are distinct from those of their parents. Solomon delves deeply into the complexities of what he calls "horizontal identity," which refers to the phenomenon in which children depart from their parents' expectations regarding characteristics such as disability, genius, and criminality. His investigation is informed by considerable research and interviews. His empathic work illuminates the complexities of judgment, sadness, and celebration that are present in interactions between children and parents that are not conventional.
By Reinhold Lautner3 years ago in BookClub
Freakonomics
Freakonomics is a book written by economist Steven Levitt and writer Stephen Dubner in which they investigate the hidden incentives, motivations, and repercussions that lie behind a wide variety of social patterns and occurrences. They exhibit Levitt's unusual yet insightful approach by using the lens of economics to themes such as cheating teachers and conspiring sumo wrestlers. In doing so, they discover the unseen factors that are affecting occurrences that appear to be unrelated to one another. Their captivating book deftly challenges commonly held beliefs about the way the world functions.
By Reinhold Lautner3 years ago in BookClub
Empire of Pain
In his book "Empire of Pain," journalist Patrick Radden Keefe presents a comprehensive biography of the Sackler family, who were the founders of the pharmaceutical corporation Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma is responsible for producing the highly controversial prescription drug OxyContin. Keefe has compiled an exhaustive history of the beginnings, inner workings, and questionable activities of this prominent yet notoriously secretive corporation.
By Reinhold Lautner3 years ago in BookClub
The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation’s Neglect of a Deadly Disease
In this compelling and reflective book, Daisy Hernández, an esteemed author and journalist, delves into the profound impact of Chagas disease, an often neglected tropical ailment that affects many Latin American immigrants residing in the United States. By integrating scientific data with interviews conducted among families, Hernández effectively humanizes the phenomenon of this understated epidemic, shedding light on the wider healthcare disparities experienced by vulnerable populations.
By Reinhold Lautner3 years ago in BookClub
