Thought Daughter Book Club

Join us in November to discuss Giovanni's Room. Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin is a powerful, intimate novel that explores themes of love and identity. James Baldwin, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, was known for his bold explorations of race, sexuality, and identity in works like Go Tell It on the Mountain and The Fire Next Time. Giovanni’s Room is recognized for its timeless insight into human nature, identity, and the effects of love.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is a quiet, powerful novella set in a small Irish town during the harsh winter of 1985. The story follows Bill Furlong who faces a moral dilemma -- he must decide whether to turn a blind eye or act on his conscience. Small Things Like These has been widely praised for its humanity and the way it sheds light on the individual choices that can ripple through communities, making it a deeply resonant and thought-provoking read.

Claire Keegan, an acclaimed Irish writer known for her short fiction, including Foster, is celebrated for her precise, evocative prose and her ability to convey deep emotion in a few words. In Small Things Like These, Keegan masterfully evokes a sense of place and time while quietly examining Ireland’s complex relationship with the Catholic Church.

Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami is a bold and intimate novel that explores the complexities of womanhood, motherhood, and body autonomy in modern-day Japan. Mieko Kawakami, originally known for her poetry, gained international acclaim with Breasts and Eggs. Her writing, noted for its frankness, sensitivity, and raw exploration of female experience, has been praised for its vivid portrayal of the female body and the anxieties surrounding it. The New York Times described it as "a bracing critique of social expectations placed on women."

Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig is a gripping psychological novel that delves into the devastating consequences of misplaced compassion. Zweig's novel, with its subtle examination of guilt, pride, and moral responsibility, resonates deeply with readers, offering a timeless reflection on the fine line between empathy and condescension. Beware of Pity remains a masterful study of human emotion and the unintended consequences of good intentions.