Books with a Buzz

This inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question, What makes a life worth living?

“Unmissable . . . Finishing this book and then forgetting about it is simply not an option.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, People, NPR, The Washington Post, Slate, Harper’s Bazaar, Time Out New York, Publishers Weekly, BookPage

An Oprah Daily Best Nonfiction Book of the Past Two Decades • A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
A door is found that allows time travel. The UK government creates a Ministry of Time, which brings historical persons to the present referring to them as time refugees. Employees of the ministry are assigned to help the refugees from the past adjust to modern times. Commander Graham Gore should have died on an arctic expedition, but he is brought to the future and lives with his bridge (a person who assists time refugees). His bridge is a woman who introduces him to modern times.

Hi Bee Members! This month we'll be reading "Katabasis" by R.F. Kuang. I'm so excited to be finally reading a book from this author! She's known to make banger-after-banger with titles like Babel, Yellowface, The Poppy Wars, and so on. So this time we'll be diving into her latest novel with the most intriguing cover; Katabasis.

You're welcome to attend even if you haven't quite finished the book, as long as you don't mind spoilers being discussed. Attendees should generally expect to order something to eat or drink.

Here's a description of the book:

Two graduate students must set aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul, perhaps at the cost of their own.

Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality—her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world—that is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault.

Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands, and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams. Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the same conclusion.

Rated: 3.85 on Goodreads

If you're not interested in being the organizer but you'd like to host a one-time meeting, it's easy! Just pick a book, a date, and a venue, and commit to attending! Message the organizer to find out more. Don't be shy: We have over 2,000+ members, so there are sure to be a few people who want to read whatever book you're excited about. We're always looking for hosts to help keep the book club vibrant!