Readers’ Corner: June is Rainbow Book Month. Celebrate diversity!
By Bonnie McCune and Kathleen Duhamel ~
A Journal of the Plague Year (Daniel Defoe). This literary classic, published in 1722 and placed in 1666 during one of Britain’s huge bubonic plagues, set the standard for all subsequent dystopian novels. It’s fascinating to read the narrative—long thought to be real, not a novel—and trace the development of events and changes in human responses so true to life during our COVID pandemic. Get a FREE copy courtesy Project Gutenberg at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/376.
The Personal History of Rachel DuPree (Ann Weisgarbe). Set in 1917 in the South Dakota Badlands, this intimate saga traces the lives of Rachel DuPree and her husband Isaac, a former Buffalo soldier. A rarity in those times, the black family leaves Chicago to stake a homesteading claim, then struggles for years, challenged by drought, illness, death, and isolation. Rachel’s priority is her children, Isaac’s, the land, putting them at odds and testing definitions about love, loyalty, and courage.
Turtles All The Way Down (John Green). This acclaimed young adult novel offers an unflinching look at mental illness from the perspective of teenaged Aza, suffering from OCD and rippling anxiety. When a local billionaire disappears, she and best friend Daisy struggle to learn his whereabouts and collect a huge reward. The compelling story lies in Aza’s ongoing battle with invasive thoughts, sending her brain spiraling out of control and negatively affecting her relationships. A devastatingly honest and ultimately uplifting novel.
Run Away. How far will a father go to save his child? Harlan Cohen’s recent thriller features his familiar theme of family, the secrets they keep, and the disastrous results when those secrets are revealed. After Simon Greene’s daughter Paige goes missing from college, under the influence of her drug-dealing boyfriend, Simon sets out to find her. What follows is a swiftly moving, twisting tale involving a religious cult, murder, and DNA testing. Cohen’s characters may be a bit predictable, but there’s no arguing with his superb storytelling.
Author Kathleen Duhamel writes humorous contemporary romance featuring “seasoned” characters. Her newest is Fed Up. https://www.kathleenduhamel.com/ Author Bonne McCune’s latest is Never Retreat, a suspenseful romance in Colorado’s wilderness. https:// BonnieMcCune.com
