Reading Season
Here at The Get Down, we are all pretty avid readers, but something about the fall weather seems to make us all want to get cozy and read a bit more. Watching the leaves (and maybe snow) fall with a hot coffee and book in hand seems to put all Minnesotans in a different mood.
Our book preferences here are all over the board, but here’s what some of us are reading at the cafe or recommend you reading this fall.
Taylor’s Recommendation — Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
Dungeons and Drama is about a musical lover named Riley, who has a dream of becoming a director on Broadway one day. Crucial to this dream is bringing back her school’s musical, but after getting grounded she’s forced to spend her free time working at her dad’s game shop.
Allie’s Recommendation — Just Kids by Patti Smith
Just Kids is an intriguing memoir by Patti Smith centering on her journey in New York City during the 60’s and 70’s becoming the celebrated singer, songwriter, and poet that she is. This story focuses primarily on her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe during the time, and their experiences in the bohemian art scene of New York.
Micheala’s Recommendation — Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston & A Source of Self Regard by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God focuses on the experiences of a woman named Janie Crawford from Eatonville, Florida. The book mostly centers on the complex relationships that Janie Crawford is involved in romantically throughout her life, but also highlights many themes around the experience of living in the American South at the time.
A Source of Self Regard is a collection of works rather than a novel. This book encapsulates some of Toni Morrison’s most profound speeches, essays, and writings, organized in a way that highlights some of the intricate things she does in her storytelling and writing.
KaJena’s Recommendation — Parable of The Sower by Octavia Butler
Parable of The Sower centers on the life of a young girl living outside of Los Angeles in 2024. The main character, Lauren, suffers from something called hyperempathy, making her feel and see those around her differently. Concerned with the well-being of those around her and the town becoming increasingly uninhabitable due to climate change, Lauren seeks to spread a new vision and hope to those around her.
Estrella’s Recommendation — Confessions by Kanae Minato
Confessions is about Yuko Moriguchi, a middle school teacher, whose four-year-old daughter, Manami, drowns in an accident. It is revealed that Manami was actually murdered by two students in her class. Yuko sets in motion a revenge plot that will put the entire school in danger.
Alex’s Recommendation — Como Tostar Cafe by Nikolai Fürst
This is a book in Spanish that goes over roasting coffee at every phase of the process. The writer is fairly well known in the coffee world as someone specializing in coffee education, especially when it comes to roasting and brewing. In this book he teaches how to get replicable and delicious results with every roast.
