This is the season of parties:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,  New Years Eve.  They are all occasions to talk to your friends about books!  Asking someone what they are currently reading is a great conversation starter and is sure to bring about a lively discussion.  It is also a great way to get recommendations for your TBR list.   I am constantly whipping out my phone to jot down a title of a book that everyone (but me) seems to know about.  Here are three books to read and recommend to your friends:


Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller:

This is a devastating memoir about one messed up childhood.  The author grew up on a farm in Africa in the 1970's, but that is not the reason her early years were so twisted.  She had a mother who turned to alcohol after a tragedy and the effects of this were neglect and chaos.  This time period also coincides with a time of upheaval in several African countries.  It seems that as one revolution occurs, the family moves to another political hot spot.  It's a wonder she survives to adulthood, given what happens to her.  When I meet another person who has read this book, we knowingly nod as though we experienced these things ourselves.  To those who haven't read it, I will talk it up incessantly.  It is SUCH a great book!


The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan:

This is the true story behind the Manhattan Project that built the first atomic weapon during WWII.  Usually, we hear about the male scientists who worked on the project.  But this book focuses on the women (and men) who were the support team working just as tirelessly to help end the war.  Most of the people involved never really knew what was being developed.  They only thought it would hasten the end of the war.  Since almost everyone had a family member in the military, there was a strong desire to do whatever it took to win the war and bring their guys home.  This was also a fantastic opportunity for women to enter the workforce for the first time.  This brought new freedom for women.  I like to recommend this book for it's unique perspective on an important time in American history.  It is a fascinating story that more people should know about.

 Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman:

This book has special meaning to me as one of the mansions is a home in Santa Barbara, California, where I spent my childhood.  We often wonder about the lives of the super-rich.  What must it be like to own a bunch of homes and just have them waiting for you to show up?  What would you collect if you had unlimited means?  How would you spend your millions? This is a story of one wealthy family and their attempts to deal with their good fortune.  At first, it would seem these people would have it made.  But what happens is that their vast wealth creates a barrier between them and  the rest of the world.  It would be difficult to trust anyone when you know that so many people want a piece of what you have.  Couple this with family squabbles, lawsuits, nannies, and con-artists, and you have a cautionary tale.  It is an intriguing read.