Joy

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

Land of Silence is the untold story of the women known in scripture as simply “the woman with the issue of blood.” Afshar adorns a well-known biblical story with relatable detail. She combines her robust knowledge of biblical history with emotive storytelling to remind the reader that real hope that can come from deep pain. I am planning on reading Tessa’s next book, Bread of Angels, when it releases in June.

To Read: Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar; Natural: Wholesome Recipes For Pure Nourishment

Chloe

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk follows an elderly woman, once the darling of Manhattan’s social scene, on a tour of her beloved New York City on New Years Eve 1984 and consequently a tour of her lifetime spent there. Boxfish in her prime was the best advertising woman in the country, a talented poet and adored socialite. Through the course of the book the reader learns of the various occasions that led to her rise and fall, while enjoying her clever wit and candor toward the whole ordeal. My favorite aspect of this story is the author’s creative use of language that is at once humorous and profound, and sent me several times to a dictionary. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the glamorous world of advertising in the early 1900’s and the similarities and differences it has to my own work today. Lillian’s walk leads her to many different people and her encounters provide touching and poignant vignettes of humanity. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I recommend with ease.

To Read: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander; A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Adam

Deep Undercover by Jack Barsky

Jack Barsky’s story is almost hard to believe. In Deep Undercover, Barsky writes of his secret life as a KGB spy living in the US during the Cold War. This isn’t the typical spy story that you would find at your local cinema. Life as a spy for Jack was filled with hard choices, betrayals, intense inner struggle, and at times comical mishaps. There have been many articles and TV profiles done on Jack, but this book gets to the heard of who he is, and his full journey as an ex-KGB agent and as a man.

To Read: Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow; Becoming Steve Jobs by by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli

Tell us, what are you currently reading? What’s on your To-Read Pile?