I recently rediscovered my copy of ANGELA'S ASHES by Frank McCourt and it reminded me how little I knew about life in Ireland before reading the book. It was so impressive that it started me on a great journey of learning through the works of authors like William Trevor, Maeve Binchy and Edna OBrien.
I was equally inspired to explore works about modern life in England after reading BLACK SWAN GREEN by David Mitchell.
What books about people or cultures you weren't especially familiar with did you find the most engrossing?
My most recent surprise was a novella called RAISE THE RED LANTERN; would love to add more titles to the collection.
by cherry-care-bear
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Maid by Stephanie Land and Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. The first is a memoir about a young single mother struggling to get on her feet after leaving an abusive relationship and focuses on trying to make a living working as a housekeeper and trying to muddle through the bureaucracy of the social service system.
Nickel and Dimed is also non fiction, Barbara Ehrenreich decides to undergo a project where she will work three low pay jobs…housekeeping, waiting, working at Walmart. It has been awhile since I read it but she only is allowed to use her earnings at the job to pay for a place to live, eat, etc. It’s an older book now, but still lives in my head.