“I Know This Much is True” by Wally Lamb
This is the story of identical twin brothers, one of which is a paranoid schizophrenic. They are raised by a timid mother and a rough stepfather. As they grow up, Thomas is bullied, and Dominick is torn between being protective and resenting his brother for being weird. Their mother favors Thomas and pressures Dominick to take care of him.
After their mother dies, the pressure on Dominick increases in his young adult life and he develops anger issues. Thomas is in and out of treatment until he cuts his hand off in a library with a knife. Thomas does this in service to God because he believes it will cause President Bush to avoid war. Thomas is so sick and devoted to his interpretation of the scripture. He is sent to a maximum security facility and is miserable there. He begs Dominick to get him out and Dominick makes this his main priority.
While he is working to get his brother in a happier facility, Dominick starts seeing one of the therapist and working on his own issues and realizes just how much his brother means to him.
“Run” by Ann Patchett
This is a character-driven story set over a dramatic 24-hour period in Boston and Cambridge.The narrative explores themes of race, class, privilege, duty, and the unexpected ways families are formed.
“Winter Garden” by Kristen Hannah
This excellent, contemporary novel is set mostly in the state of Washington at the family’s successful apple orchard. The two adult daughters in this family of four, as well as their mother struggle to maintain a relationship with each other. The father is the demonstratively loving force that holds them all together. He encourages his daughters to keep trying to connect with their emotionally unavailable Russian-refugee mom. By the end of the book, the three women become very close.
“Look Me In The Eye” by John Elder Robison
This memoir of growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome reveals how this condition affects the entire family. The reader comes away with a new understanding and empathy for people with Asperger’s.
“The Husband’s Secret” by Liane Moriarty
When her husband leaves on a multi day business trip, Cecilia decides to use this opportunity to do some housecleaning. While straightening up the attic, she finds a sealed letter written by her husband, to only be opened upon his death. But Cecilia can’t resist the temptation. What she discovers affects not only her but also two other women unknown to her.
“Land” by Maggie O’Farrell
Families are lost. And they are found. This novel shares the story of an Irish family pulled together and apart by the historical conditions they live in and the choices they make. The love between them is strong, but not always strong enough to overcome the forces beyond their control.
Next Meeting of Book Break – November 10, 2026, 10:30 a.m. The topic is Crime.