My book club met last Thursday to discuss American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. This book is fabulous, but definitely a deviation from my usual selections. I LOVED it, but the suspense was intense and my heart raced every time I read a few pages. However, the novel is timely and, being a mother, I couldn’t help but imagine myself in Lydia’s shoes. If you haven’t read it yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Here’s what Good Reads has to say about it:
Lydia Quixano Pérez lives in the Mexican city of Acapulco. She runs a bookstore. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And while there are cracks beginning to show in Acapulco because of the drug cartels, her life is, by and large, fairly comfortable.
Even though she knows they’ll never sell, Lydia stocks some of her all-time favorite books in her store. And then one day a man enters the shop to browse and comes up to the register with a few books he would like to buy—two of them her favorites. Javier is erudite. He is charming. And, unbeknownst to Lydia, he is the jefe of the newest drug cartel that has gruesomely taken over the city. When Lydia’s husband’s tell-all profile of Javier is published, none of their lives will ever be the same.
Forced to flee, Lydia and eight-year-old Luca soon find themselves miles and worlds away from their comfortable middle-class existence. Instantly transformed into migrants, Lydia and Luca ride la bestia—trains that make their way north toward the United States, which is the only place Javier’s reach doesn’t extend. As they join the countless people trying to reach el norte, Lydia soon sees that everyone is running from something. But what exactly are they running to?
About halfway through the book I found myself on YouTube watching videos of migrants boarding these cargo trains in Mexico. Having an actual image of the characters’ nightmare made the book even more captivating.
American Dirt
My friend, Deidre, hosted Book B*tches at her house and prepared a delicious Mexican feast for us. We always try to have a theme that correlates to our book. I only have two photos from the evening (always a sign of a good time). One was taken by Deidre’s seven year old son and the other is a selfie. I hate that I didn’t get a picture of the festive table D set for us! Alas, here are the pictures. I love these women!
Book B*tches
Our next selection is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I know this book has been around for a long time, but only a few book club members have read it. Of those who’ve read it, they all love it. Aside from the friendships, the best thing about Book B*tches is reading novels I never would have chosen on my own. Have you read Redeeming Love? If so, what are your thoughts?
Happy Reading!
