November is already here and now it’s just a steamroller until Christmas. It’s been really cold here lately so I’ve been trying to spend a bit more time snuggling up with a good book. What did you think of last month’s choice? It was a fluffy, scary read to get you in the mood for Halloween. This month, I’ve chosen one that you’ve probably never heard of but it’s so good, I didn’t want anyone to miss it…
Blog Book Club November
Shoppable Links: Book / Mug / Blanket Scarves
Good books are recommended by word of mouth and this one was another great recommendation from my friend and book club member Lydia. I think that when a story is well written is invokes real emotion in you. My heart went out to both females in this novel, so much so that I felt angry at times when the story wasn’t unfolding the way I wanted it to. I honestly couldn’t put it down for the simple fact that I just wanted to know what happened to Izzy and Clara. The end brought tears to my eyes and an outcome that I wouldn’t have guessed, but loved anyhow, making this book one that I wanted to recommended to you this month.
NOVEMBER’S CHOICE
Book: What She Left Behind
Author: Ellen Marie Wiseman
Buy the Paperback
Plot: Follow the stories of two separate women: Clara Cartwright, eighteen years old in 1929 and Izzy Stone, seventeen years old in 2007. Clara is committed to an insane asylum called Willard when her father doesn’t agree with her choice of husband. Her confined journey will astound you, not only because of her strength but also because these asylums and their conditions truly did exist. Izzy is a lonely teen who discovers Clara’s trunk while archiving items from Willard with her foster parents. She becomes determined to find out what happened to Clara all while navigating her own an angst of being a teenager in a new school.
Discussion Questions:
Which story line did you like better?
Were you shocked to realize how patients were treated during the 1920s and 30s?
What were the parallels between Clara and Izzy?
How do you feel mental illness is represented in our society today? How about 60 years ago?
What parts in the story invoked real emotion in you?
Leave your comments below!
Happy reading friends,
Kiki
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Looks good!
Thanks Jane! I hope you like this one better! Let me know what you picked up from Costco!
Thanks for the shout out! I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I just started The Royal We and love it too! Maybe it’ll be my December choice! lol
That book sounds fascinating!! Also I’m loving that mug!
I was just intrigued by it, I had no idea about how women were treated in asylums! It was horrifying!
Ooooh this book sounds very intense! Some friends and I just started a book club. I will have to keep up with your posts 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
YEs, make sure you do. I have done a bunch of posts on great books if you search my blog a bit. I’ve been in my book club for 8 years and we read on a month!
I love the idea of doing a book club online. This looks so good and there is nothing better than sitting at home when it’s cold with a good book! Thank you for sharing!
Aw thanks girl! I hope you will read along with me! xo
love these scarves in the photos!!
I’m going to need to go through and find all your picks! Reading time at night is my favorite!
Please do! I’ve only done two editions so far but I’ve done a bunch of other book posts in the past. I love reading too!
I Cant wait to read!