Each month, Beyond The Page : A GBH Book Club features a notable author, who takes part in a live Q&A with a GBH personality to discuss the intricacies of that month's novel. With each monthly book selection, we also ask the author for a list of reading recommendations. For its June edition, Beyond The Page selected Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary, a novel that NPR says "is an enthralling work of mystery, murder, trust, and betrayal."
Here are five reading suggestions from Sarah Penner:
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn — three female code-breakers (and the best of friends) at Bletchley Park in WWII have a mysterious falling-out. Romance, scandal, code-breaking; who knew ciphers could be so sexy? One of my favorites of the year.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel — an instant NYT bestseller when released last year, the paperback just came out (and again hit the NYT). (It's) about a woman who forges documents to help hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain — published almost a decade ago, I'm finally realizing why this book is an international sensation. After seeing the Hemingway documentary on PBS, I've been getting my hands on anything and everything about his wives. A top 10 favorite book of my lifetime.
The Heiress by Molly Greeley — for lovers of Jane Austen! Based on Pride and Prejudice, this is a fictional reimagining of the life of Anne de Bourgh. Laudanum, London society, and the complexities of love.
Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce — I'm a sucker for 1920s, jazz-era stories, and this dual-timeline novel doesn't disappoint. (It) takes us straight into bootlegging Chicago with its whiskey, gambling and gangsters.
What she's reading now:
Advance copy of Falling by TJ Newman, a thriller coming out on July 6. A commercial pilot, in-flight, gets a call that his family is being held hostage and will be killed unless he crashes the fight with 144 passengers. Truly a worst-case scenario. Quick pacing and the problems keep getting worse for the characters; I'm flying through it, pun intended.
Next up on her "To Be Read" list:
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian. I love anything about 17th century witchcraft, particularly from the perspective of a young and vengeful wife. If the reviews are any indication, Bohjalian did a phenomenal job on this latest release.
Looking for more? Then join the club. Don't miss out on the next selection and virtual session by joining the Beyond The Page Facebook Group and signing up for the e-mail newsletter.
