19 Comments

I would like to read _James_. One of my favorite books as a 10-12 year old was _Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry_ (and its sequels) by Mildred D. Taylor. It really transported me to another time and place and set me on a path of fighting for the dignity of all people alike.

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I loved Roll of Thunder, too!

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Jun 27Liked by Shawn Smucker

So Parable of the Sower is considered sci fi, right? How sci fi are we talking?

Thanks for the add to my TBR; my book club is reading James in the fall and I can't wait!

In answer to your question, off the top of my head, I think I'd have to say Cry, the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.

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I wouldn't have thought of it as sci-fi . . . it's post-apocalyptic, and pretty brutal at times.

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Jun 27Liked by Shawn Smucker

ok gotcha. When I looked it up that's what it was classified as so I was a little confused!

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Jun 25Liked by Shawn Smucker

You are living the life 😎 Enjoy!

To answer your question, my favorite book from a different culture is The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which is as much about nerd culture as it is about Dominican culture. I think that’s why it hooked me so hard. Junot Diaz has an incredible voice.

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Oh, I've hard a lot about that one but never read it. Thanks for the recommendation!

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Jun 25Liked by Shawn Smucker

Really enjoying this top shelf tradition! Way over here in Houston, dreaming of coming to Noooks!

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That would be awesome, Naomi! In the meantime, feel free to order your books from us :)

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Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson is the first that comes to mind

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I've heard a lot about that one as well! Thanks, Briana.

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Favorite books? Anything by Susie Finkbeiner. Her historical fiction draws me in quickly. Plus, I learn a little history along the way. It's tough to pick a favorite of hers. If I had to narrow it to one, I would choose A Cup of Dust. It gave me a greater appreciation for those who endured that time period in our country's history.

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I love Susie's writing.

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I've been seeing "James" pop up in various places. It's definitely on my to-read list. And I've never read anything by Rushdie! Any guidance on where to start with him? Your questions always make me go back through my reading history and remember what I've read! I really loved The Night Diary by Veela Hiranandani about the partition of India into Pakistan and India in 1947. I think it's technically middle grade. But I learned a lot about a time of history that I didn't know much about before.

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James is great! Highly recommend. And I would say either Midnight's Children or Victory City for Rushdie--I found Victory City to be a very compelling read. Easy to get through.

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Jun 26Liked by Shawn Smucker

If you loved The Night Diary, you would probably also enjoy Rushdie's Midnight's Children, which is about the same time period.

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Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah!

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well done, Shawn.

truly 🌱

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Thanks, Katharine.

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