Flower Mound Public Library discussion

This is the place to talk about any recently published books that you've read, especially any debut authors that you've enjoyed.

Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War

When it comes to investigating the weird science behind every facet of human existence, Mary Roach describes herself as “the goober with a flashlight, stumbling into corners and crannies, not looking for anything specific but knowing when I’ve found it.” In Grunt, she shines her light on the military and its efforts to train and protect its soldiers. We learn about intriguing topics such as why the military tested red underwear on soldiers in 1908 and the development of non-lethal weapons such as stink bombs. Roach also explores more serious subjects such as the studies about the injury patterns on soldiers travelling in vehicles hit by IEDs with the same compassion and humor that will show you a side to the military that you’ve never seen before.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

Known for her wryly humorous and astute accounts of historical events, Sarah Vowell presents a fascinating portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, the brash young French nobleman who joined the Continental Army and became a Revolutionary War hero and a beloved figure to the American people. As we learn about Lafayette’s role in the Revolution, Vowell brings the founding fathers to life with her snarky insight into their personalities and even their shortcomings. This is the story you didn’t read in your high school history textbook.

You Will Know Me

This novel reveals some of the disturbing details behind what it's like for young girls, and their families, who reach elite status in competitive gymnastics: the impact on their young bodies, the conflicts between parents, and the siblings that are left behind in families where all of the focus goes to one talented child. Throw in the suspicious death of a young man, the boyfriend of a coach, and you won't be able to put this book down.

Wall Street Journal sports columnist, Jason Gay, offers a hilarious and poignant guidebook on living. He uses examples from his own life to illustrate how to appreciate the life you already have instead of worrying about what you might be missing. This book provides advice on everything from dealing with stress, parenting, and job satisfaction while also reminding us that there is no such thing as the perfect life.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet comes a novel of suspense and passion about a terrible mistake made sixty years ago that threatens to change a modern family forever.

Almost done with this book. Like Beverly-Whittemore's other recent novel, Bittersweet, this title is all about a younger generation unraveling family secrets from the past. In this novel, Cassie has confined herself to her late grandmother's old palatial house even though it's falling down around her. When she finds out she might be the granddaughter of a recently deceased legendary Hollywood actor, everything Cassie thought she knew about her very private grandmother is called into question. The premise is pretty juicy but the author tells the story with such eloquence and beauty that your heart aches for the characters.

Classics professor and writer, Mary Beard, deftly tells the story of the Roman Empire from its founding to its last emperor. Starting with the traditional story of the founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 BCE, Beard explains how this city grew from a tiny hut-filled village, to a thriving cosmopolitan republic, and finally to a vast imperial empire. She describes the lives of great political figures, powerful emperors, and even the common Roman citizen with such humor, intrigue, and with parallels to modern day culture and politics that readers will be truly fascinated by the history of this ancient city.

In her second memoir, Jenny Lawson describes her battle with mental illness with unflinching honesty and hilarious abandon. Never one to shy away from her own personal brand of “weird”, Jenny tells stories about the randomly absurd things that happen to her. In other parts of the book, she goes into heartbreaking detail about what it’s like to live with mental illness. In these passages, she reaches out to readers and implores them to remember that they are not alone in their struggles. Most importantly, Jenny shows how she has learned to celebrate the joy in life.