Great Reads for Book Clubs

In early 20th century Nova Scotia, Dora Rare becomes an apprentice midwife/healer. Her story is told against the backdrop of the arrival of modern medicine (promising sterile, painless births) and the role of women.

This tale of three Indian women explores the concept of belonging. The novel spans more than fifty years, covering the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, along with subsequent conflicts and confrontations, and culminating in the explosion of Air India Flight 182 off the Irish coast in 1985.

The life story of (fictional) Sheilagh Fielding, Joey Smallwood’s conscience in Johnson’s earlier masterpiece The Colony of Unrequited Dreams. Near the end of WWII, Fielding retreats to an almost deserted island, along with her letters, journals and Scotch.

A lyrical and powerful account of how a revolution and subsequent reign of terror affect children, this tale set in 1979 Libya is told by 9-year old Suleiman, whose father has spoken out against Moammar Gaddafi's government. Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2006