BOOK club recommendations, good reads and more

Written from the perspective of Elena, this book explores the dynamics of a friendship with Lila through early childhood and adolesence in an impoverished neighbourhood of Naples, Italy. While both girls are brilliant, each has a path they need to follow and their decisions along the way impact their friendship in many ways. This book, and others in the series, is also an HBO mini-series.

Popular UK tv host Richard Osman has branched out into the fiction literary world. His first novel is the first in a series is about a group of senior amateur sleuths passing time in a retirement community by solving previously unsolved murders and mysteries. This book has been a massive hit in the UK and his books (#1, 2 and 3) can now be purchased around the world. 

Journey through the life of Canada funny man Rick Mercer. From his early years in Newfoundland to his current career Rick retells stories of how he came to be who he is today. While not a barrel of laughs, it does lay the foundation for how the rest of his life may play out.

An epic (by length and depth) historical fiction following a poor family from Korea who migrate to Japan. This book is raw and totally engaging. But, it is not a light, entertaining read. Many people found it heavy and depressing. Those who enjoy such a fictional journey will find great sadness, struggle and joy in this book.

This book of historical fiction melds together a mystery spanning the late 18th Century to modern times, and features a cast of strong female characters. Written from the perspective of the women, the narrative jumps back and forth in time until the conclusion is reached.