Morning Book Discussion

Seminar Room. Discuss great titles and make new friends! This month, group leader Megan Nicholls will lead a discussion of The Names by Florence Knapp. Copies will be available at the Circulation Desk for checkout prior to this event. This Month’s Pick: The Names by Florence Knapp In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, respected in the community but a controlling presence at home, intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and name the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates... Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of their lives, shaped by Cora’s last-minute choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing. Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. Full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and love’s endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional power are certain to make The Names a modern classic. (description courtesy of amazon.com)