Mountain View Book Club

Kepler’s
Non-Fiction. 336 pages. Hardcover. 2022. Nobel Peace Prize Winner. New York Times Bestseller.
A Nobel Laureate details her fight against authoritarianism, disinformation, and the corruption of power.
“an impassioned, well-informed warning” — Kirkus Reviews.
“Searing and electrifying." — Booklist (starred review)

From the publisher: From the recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize comes a powerful memoir and manifesto about the fight for democracy in the digital age. Maria Ressa, cofounder of the Philippine news site Rappler and one of the most courageous journalists working today, tells the story of her years covering the rise of authoritarianism in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte—and the personal cost of speaking truth to power.

As Ressa and her colleagues reported on the government’s violent “war on drugs” and the systematic use of social media to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion, she became the target of relentless online harassment, political intimidation, and a series of criminal charges designed to silence her and shut down independent journalism. Drawing on decades of reporting around the world, she exposes how technology platforms amplify lies and hatred, weakening democratic institutions and enabling strongmen.
Part memoir, part warning, and part call to action, How to Stand Up to a Dictator is a gripping account of one journalist’s struggle for press freedom and a clear-eyed look at the urgent challenge of defending truth and democracy today.

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Amazon
Fiction · 336 pages · Paperback · 1995
Winner of the IMPAC Dublin Award. Widely considered a masterpiece. Modern Library 100 Best Novels.
A newlywed translator uncovers disturbing secrets about his family’s past and marriage.
“An entertaining and intelligent novel.” — WaPo. “A great writer.” — Salman Rushdie.

From the publisher: Juan, a professional interpreter living in Madrid, has recently married and settled into what appears to be a calm and promising life. But shortly after his wedding he becomes haunted by a shocking family story he once overheard—an event that took place decades earlier when his father’s first wife abruptly left a room during their honeymoon and took her own life. As Juan begins to reflect on this hidden family history, he becomes increasingly aware of how little he truly knows about the people closest to him.
Working as an interpreter for diplomats and politicians, Juan spends his days translating the words of others—carefully listening, analyzing, and repeating. Yet outside the conference rooms and state visits, he finds himself drawn into a growing sense that secrets, half-truths, and silences shape the lives of everyone around him. As his father’s past slowly reveals itself, Juan begins to question what marriage means, what knowledge we owe one another, and whether some truths are better left unspoken.

Written with hypnotic elegance and philosophical depth, A Heart So White is a masterful meditation on secrecy, intimacy, and the unsettling power of knowing too much.
**Venue**: Red Rock has kindly given us this rental space for free. Please consider making a purchase to support them. Thanks!