Cedar Falls Public Library discussion

Throughout March, we will discuss All Iowa Reads titles.
Here are the titles:

2015. My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
2014. Little Wolves by Thomas Maltman
2013. The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson
2012. Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
2011. Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos
2010. Driftless by David Rhodes
2009. The Rope Walk by Carrie Brown
2008. Digging to America by Anne Tyler
2007. Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio by Jeffrey Kluger
2006. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
2005. The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich
2004. Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken
2003. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Has anyone read any of these titles? If so what did you think of it?

I didn't realize I'd fallen so far behind! I've read 2003-2011.
Those I liked best were Splendid Solution and Gilead.

That is pretty impressive! I've read 2013-2015 and Peace like a River. I believe I've also read Gilead but I can't swear to it. Of the ones I've read, I enjoyed Peace like a river the best.

I just bought My name is Mary Sutter

You'll have to let us know what you think of "My name is Mary Sutter" when you read it.

I will, I hope during spring break

I have read all but My Name is Mary Sutter. All had strengths, and all had shortcomings for me. I believe I liked "Sing Them Home" best, although it was definitely not a favorite for my book club.

All of the titles coaxed me into reading something I probably would not have chosen on my own.

Maelou, it's interesting that Gilead was one of your favorites. Do you remember why? That was one of my least favorites.

I think it would be interesting to serve on the committee that chooses the titles.

Has anyone read "My name is Mary Sutter" yet? Sounds like it could be a good historical novel.

I read "My Name is Mary Sutter". I didn't love it. I did learn a great deal about medical treatment during the civil war. You did not want to get injured that's for sure! I think it would be interesting to be on the committee too. Maybe we should come up with books we can suggest to them.

I would be tempted to suggest "The Magician's Lie" by Greer Macallister. Some scenes are set in Waterloo and Janesville. I agree with Jessica's review that the Virgil Holt character could have had a little more depth. Felt like I got to know him a bit in the early part of the novel, but didn't learn much more about him. But an interesting premise, an Iowa connection, and I think there would be an interesting discussion.

That's cool that it is set in Waterloo and Janesville. The description says "Water for elephants" meets "The Night Circus" which sounds awesome.

I guess I could sort of see The Magician's Lie being similar to Water for Elephants, but not so much The Night Circus. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't much detail about Waterloo/Janesville, as the description leads the reader to expect the location to be more important than it actually turns out to be. It could still be a contender for an Iowa read though.

I've been looking forward to a book called "Church of marvels" by Leslie Parry to come out. It has been compared to "The Night Circus" Hope it's more like "The Night Circus" than "The Magician's Lie" is. I really enjoyed "The Night Circus" and when people compare a book to it, it gets my attention.