The Sympathizer

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel — now available in paperback — is unique, but if I had to venture a comparison it would be Catch 22. It has that ironic humor throughout. The Sympathizer unveils unexpected layers of the war in Vietnam, not from an American perspective, but from the viewpoint of a young Vietnamese man who is adept at seeing all sides of the conflict and is moved to further the cause of each side, often at cross purposes. – Karen Hayes

Chinaberry Sidewalks

Rodney Crowell is a master storyteller in his songs. and he has the same talent on the page. Crowell’s upbringing in a hardscrabble area of Texas was shaped by parents who possessed outsized and combative personalities.  Despite these hardships, Crowell tells the story of this crazy life with love and humor. We just got a few signed copies of this book, so if you’ve never read it, now’s a great time to get yours. – Karen Hayes

The Dream Life of Astronauts: Stories

The nine stories in this perfect collection revolve around Florida and the space program the way the earth revolves around the sun. Ryan brings so much talent and compassion to bear on his characters he can make the most ordinary of lives seem noble. If you don’t like short story collections, get over yourself. This one is wonderful. – Ann Patchett

In the Darkroom

Susan Faludi hadn’t heard from her abusive, bullying father in almost 25 years. When she finally gets an email it’s to tell her he’s back in his native Hungary and is now a woman named Stefanie. Maybe she’d like to write a book about him? The book she writes is as rich, complicated, and unexpected as anything I’ve ever read. This is a true masterpiece. – Ann Patchett

You’ll Grow Out of It

If you’re in the mood for a laugh and you like the humor on Inside Amy Schumer, you might dig these autobiographical essays by the head writer of that show. I did. (Related: Schumer’s book, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, will be out next week) – Mary Laura Philpott

I’m Supposed to Protect You from All This: A Memoir

Oh hello, memoir I didn’t know I wanted to read until I was already reading it and loving it. Spiegelman is the daughter of Francoise Mouly, art director of The New Yorker, and Maus creator Art Spiegelman — and a tremendously gifted writer in her own right. – Mary Laura Philpott

The Hopefuls

Here’s a crowd-pleasing summer read full of wickedly funny social commentary. As an extra-timely bonus, it’s set in DC and shines a not-so-flattering light on all that goes on behind the scenes in an election. – Mary Laura Philpott

Joe Gould’s Teeth

My favorite kind of nonfiction happens when an author can find a small thread of history and unravel it to show the true fabric of not only that time, but ours as well. Jill Lepore does precisely this, and she does it beautifully. – Lindsay Lynch

Suck and Blow: And Other Stories I’m Not Supposed to Tell

John Popper is hilarious. His stories from high school, NYC, and the HORDE tours will take you back — but I bet you’ve never heard any of these before! – Sissy Gardner

Will & I: A Memoir

Byars, a Sewanee graduate, describes his recovery from a near fatal stroke. His humor and poetic language hooked me immediately. – Sissy Gardner

Marrow Island

This is the kind of book that makes me want to flip ahead to know how everything turns out. – Ginger Nalley

The Light of Paris

Summer is almost done, so: run away to the charm of Jazz Age Paris, run away to your hometown and the artistic dreams you thought were lost, and run away to follow Madeleine and Margie as they escape expectations to discover the unimaginable. – Grace Wright

How to Set a Fire and Why

As quirky and original as The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Nightime, as fully realized a character as Ellen Foster with shades of The House of Sand and Fog. An addictive read that you’ll remember — with good reason — for all the days to come. – River Jordan

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Mystery and Art of Living

Krista Tippett’s voice shines as she shares the special wisdom she gained while hosting her Peabody award winning NPR’s program, On Being. The chapter “Hope Reimagined” is worth the price of the book alone. – River Jordan

Queen Bees and Wannabes, 3rd Edition: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boys, and the New Realities of Girl World

The indispensable classic for all parents of girls, now updated for the new world we live in. Help your daughters learn to deal with the challenges of friends, social media, and more! – Kathy Schultenover

As Good as Gone

An older man living off the grid returns to the city to help his son and grandchildren. When he decides to solve problems the Old West way (with fists and a gun) trouble ensues. – Kathy Schultenover

Vampires in the Lemon Grove: And Other Stories

Summer’s almost over (sorry), so get weird with it: Karen Russell’s collection of bizarre yet oddly relatable stories is the perfect way to wrap up your vacation. – Lindsay Lynch

The Sparrow

Science, religion, anthropology, and good storytelling come together in this explosive story of a scientific mission’s doomed attempt to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. Perfect for bookclubs, The Sparrow will spark the kind of late-into-the-night discussions on ethics and the universe that you didn’t realize you’ve been craving. – Katherine Klockenkemper

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories

Short stories will forever be one of my favorite things to read, and Alice Munro’s rank with the best of them. These short stories all revolve around love and relationships in their many forms, but Munro’s shining talent is conjuring memories and people so vividly you forget she made them up. – Catherine Bock

The Girls

In her novel based loosely on the Charles Manson murders, Cline manages to searingly recreate the longing and all-encompassing desire to feel wanted that seems so singular to teenage girls. Evie is 14 and gets caught up in a cult-like group that seems to satisfy this desire. See Charles Manson inspiration above for confirmation that all is not well. – Catherine Bock

The Loney

How long has it been since you’ve read a gorgeous English horror novel? Too long? Well then, give this one a read. – Tristan Charles

On Trails: An Exploration

While thru-hiking the Appalacian Trail, Robert Moor became enthralled with paths. How do they form? Why do some last and others fade away?  Using science, history, philosophy, and the great traditions of nature writing, Moor explores a variety of paths from ant trails to the the cyber-trails of the Internet. Spanning from the dawn of time to the digital age, this book offers a new perspective on our relationship with our world. – Andy Brennan

Works and Days

In her new collection, Bernadette Mayer invokes Hesiod, whose famous book of the same title is a farmer’s almanac, written to fill his brother Perses in on the agricultural arts. Mayer’s book is a spring journal that is constantly being disrupted by poems and untitled passages of text. It is both a conversation with the ancient Greek classic and an enriching grab bag, filling us in on the beauty growing from the field of early 21st century life. – Nathan Spoon

Enter Title Here

You probably won’t like Reshma. I’m pretty sure I don’t. But once she sinks her hooks into you, she doesn’t let go. You’ll cringe, you’ll laugh, you’ll try to sympathize — and probably fail — but Reshma has one heck of a story to tell. And that you will love. – Grace Wright

City Shapes

This beautifully-illustrated picture book takes the reader on a fun journey through a city filled with shapes. Perfect for reading and re-reading. – Rae Ann Parker

A World Without You

Bo believes he’s a time traveler at a school for students with special powers. His sister, Phoebe, knows the truth. Their intertwined stories propel this psychological young adult thriller that will stay with you after the story ends. – Rae Ann Parker

The Thing about Leftovers

Future chef, Fizzy, feels like a leftover kid A.D. (after divorce). Her recipe for back to normal blends new friends and a new school with the Southern Living Cook-Off. This is a great read to kick off a new school year. – Rae Ann Parker

Inspector Flytrap (Book #1)

Chapter book readers, this one’s for you! This new series features a talking plant solving mysteries with the help of a goat. Read only if you like funny stories. – Rae Ann Parker

Hello, My Name Is Octicorn

Octicorn, the child of an Octopus and a Unicorn, has to deal with both the challenges and benefits of being just a little bit different. This book is hilarious and sweet, and the kind of book parents or older siblings will enjoy reading out loud as much as the younger ones will enjoy listening. I think this is my favorite new picture book. – Jackie Gregory

Towers Falling

This is a moving introduction to the events of September 11, 2001, for those who are too young to have been alive then. Deja, a 5th grader, learns about what troubles her Dad and why her teacher wants them to learn about what happened to the towers that are no longer there. – Jackie Gregory

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day

Three friends come up with a plan to give their favorite teacher the perfect last day of school, and the result is both exciting and heartwarming. This is the kind of instantly classic book that only comes along every once and awhile; all kids aged 8-12 should read it. – Katherine Klockenkemper

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim

E.K. Johnston’s debut novel takes place in a world much like ours, but with one significant difference: Dragons are real. Johnston’s worldbuilding is utterly brilliant, as she unspools the impact dragons have had on everything from industry to pop culture (in one chapter, we learn that Lady Gaga is actually part of the ancient bardic tradition). Owen, Siobhan, Sadie, and Emily are wonderfully grounded teen characters, and Siobhan’s wry narration hits all the right notes. A smart book with tons of heart. – Stephanie Appell

ParnassusNext — August Selection

This Savage Song

First Editions Club — August Selection

Another Brooklyn

It’s summer. It’s hot . . . so hot. Maybe the heat has me in a pissy mood? But I’m in-between books and casting about for something to grab me and pull me in. You know the feeling — when a book is just calling you to come and read more. That’s what I’m looking for. Anyhow, I came across this “reader’s bill of rights” on the website of the wonderful Denver bookstore, The Tattered Cover. It’s printed on the store’s coffee mugs as well, and it spoke to me big-time. Perhaps this dose of freedom to try, discard, and try again is just what I need to get over the slump and find my new favorite book. And maybe it’s time for all of us to declare our rights as readers! Here they are:

Reader’s Bill of Rights 

1) to read anything, at any time

2) to read anywhere, in any position

3) to read without intrusion

4) to move your lips while you read

5) to read as slowly as you like

6) to read several books at one time

7) to underline favorite passages

8) to ignore literary critics

9) to skip pages or chapters

10) to read the last chapter first

11) to stop reading in the middle

12) to read a book over and over again

I might add: to refuse to read anything I don’t want to (unless it’s my book club selection)! Share this with your book club at the next meeting. I promise, it will generate some great personal discussion.

— Kathy

Parnassus Book Club

August – Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Monday, August 15 at 6:30pm
Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30pm
Thursday, August 18 at 10am 

September – Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Monday, September 19 at 6:30pm (*Note different location for this meeting: Green Hills branch of Nashville Public Library)
Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30pm
Thursday, September 22 at 10am 

Classics Club – The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Thursday, September 29 at 10am and 6:30pm

Want more? Check out Nashville Arts Magazine for our monthly Bookmark column — which includes more great reads, such as Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers; American Heiress by Jeffrey Toobin; and Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney.

PS: If you’re tuned in to the 2016 Rio Olympics and can’t wait for the women’s gymnastics competition, now might be the perfect time to pick up Megan Abbott’s You Will Know Me, a suspenseful thriller which takes place in the hotly competitive world of teen gymnastics.