In an unending effort to promote reading and literacy, the IE will occasionally feature summer reading suggestions from remarkable people in our community. We hope our readers will be inspired to pick up a book and share it with others this season. In this installment, we ask the national best-selling author of “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet”—which takes place in Seattle’s International District—what he suggests for great reading this summer. Jamie Ford graciously shares his ideas. Read more about Jamie Ford at his website: www.jamieford.com.
1. Please Look After Mom – By Kyung-Sook Shin
“This worldwide bestseller is finally available in the US. A beautifully constructed tale of familial loss. This book still haunts me,” said Jamie Ford.
2. When She Woke – By Hillary Jordan
“Dystopian riff on ‘The Scarlett Letter,’ but infinitely more readable and relevant to our times. Like the ‘Hunger Games’ for consenting adults,” said Ford.
3. Blankets – By Craig Thompson
“I’m a huge fan of graphic novels and this is one of my all-time favorites. Subtle, yet powerful tale of first love. Book clubs everywhere should read this book.”
4. Queen of America – By Luis Alberto Urrea
“This is the story of the ‘Saint of Cabora,’ Mexico’s spiritual leader during a time of revolution. Lush, literary, and magnificent.”
5. The Coldest Night – By Robert Olmstead
“I’m in an all-guys book club and this was our most recent selection. Absorbing, page-turning tale of love and death, set in 1950 amid the Korean War.”
