Are you looking for a summer book recommendation? Check out what we at IEA are currently enjoying!
Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon
“The book takes off from the old adage about an apple not falling far from the tree. Each chapter focuses in tremendous detail on parents whose offspring is very different from them—covering everything from children who are deaf or blind being born to hearing/sighted parents; adopted children; children with different sexual orientations from their parents; children who are prodigies with “ordinary” parents and all of the ramifications of living with and raising offspring who are so very different from their parents.” – Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Manager
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
“This book follows the story of Deming, an eleven-year-old New Yorker and the son of undocumented Chinese immigrant Polly. One day, Polly goes to her job at a nail salon and never returns. Eventually, Deming is placed into foster care and adopted by an older couple upstate who rename him Daniel. A beautifully told story of a young man’s journey to reclaim his lost past and find identity while stuck between two worlds.” – Nicole LaChance, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Hotel Bemelmans by Ludwig Bemelmans
“Ludwig Bemelmans is the well known author of the Madeline children’s book series. He was also a gourmand, and occasionally illustrated covers for the New Yorker magazine. Very few people know that he came from a family of hoteliers, and thus started his career in the hotel business, albeit, not a very successful one. This book is a compilation of 24 tales, two of them never before published, about his adventures in fictional Hotel Splendide, possibly a stand in for the Ritz. His stories are very descriptive and humorous, full of colorful and interesting characters; and accompanied by 73 original and delightful drawings.” – Anvi Kevany, Administrative Assistant
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
“I picked up this story after my husband, who typically doesn’t enjoy long-form fiction, announced that this book had converted him to the novel. (This comment pretty much made my entire summer.) Next thing I know I am sitting in the airport on my way home from Yunasa West, fifty pages in and balling my eyes out surrounded by of a restaurant full of people. Needless to say, this book is just beautiful. Baldwin tells his story with power and great human sensitivity. Go Tell it on the Mountain is a semi-autobiographical story is about a boy named John living in 1930’s Harlem, his family, and his church. It is an important book and a must read.” – Morgan Carrion, Assistant to the President
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Malantes
“It is pretty gritty, but it’s the best novel I’ve (ever) read about the Vietnam War written by a decorated combat Marine.” – Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Manager
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
“Tom and Isabel live a solitary life in a lighthouse in remote Australia. One day a boat with a dead man and a live baby washes ashore and they are forced to make a decision that will change their lives forever. This book kept me guessing right until the end and does an excellent job at showing that most big decisions are not black and white, but shades of gray.” – Nicole LaChance, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Want more book recommendations? Check out what we were enjoying in 2016 and 2015.
What have you been enjoying this summer?
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