September 2019 Books

This is an excellent look at how autocratic governments evolve from democracies. They follow a pattern that is consistent over time and across different countries; the authors show that the pattern is repeating itself in the U.S. Very chilling to read this while an impeachment investigation is being launched right now.

This was a well-written book, although it moves very slowly and there's not much of a plot. I'm surprised that it is on the MLA list of 100 best books of the 20th century.

I loved this book about a young boy who is grieving the loss of his father who perished in the World Trade Center on 9/11.

This is an excellent historical mystery about an antiquarian bookseller who is grieving the loss of his wife. He turns to work to help himself heal, and begins tracking down the painter responsible for a small watercolor that resembles his wife, in the process unraveling a mystery about the authorship of a Shakespeare play.