Hello readers. This month the Reader's Den is reading A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.
Titles and cover images often give readers a clue as to what lies within a book but I admit I was baffled about this one.
A guitar and a goon squad? It didn't make sense. On the other hand, A Visit from the Good Squad was awarded a Pulitzer Prize (2011) and a National Book Critics Circle Award (2010). Plus, it was always checked out. I thought maybe I should give it a chance.
When I choose a book, I tend to go for a mystery. I enjoy solving puzzles. I'm comfortable with a beginning, middle and end. This book, however, does not present the story in a linear fashion. It could be described as a collection of short stories connected by characters. Each chapter is from a different character's point of view. Over the course of the chapters, we meet characters at different times in their lives in settings that range from New York to Italy to Africa.
Even though this book seemed to be outside my comfort zone, I took I chance on it. I'm glad I did and I hope you will be too.
Reserve a copy today to pick up at your local branch or download the e-book or e-audiobook.
Check back next week for another post, but leave your comments anytime.