This post is a part of an original series created by librarians/media specialists across Central Minnesota featuring books.

Title: We Are Water, by Wally Lamb

Written by Maria Burnham, Media Specialist at Sauk Rapids Rice High School

True to form with anything I’ve read by Wally Lamb, this novel left me moved, emotional, and full of deep thought.  It’s one of those books that, even after turning the last page and closing the back cover, I knew I was not done with the book; it’s going to take a good discussion or two with someone else who has read the book to really come to terms with the story.

We Are Water is a powerful fictional story of Annie Oh, a stay-at-mother-turned-infamous-artist, and her family’s journey, both past and present.  Told from multiple points of view, the reader learns of Annie’s life as a child and victim of molestation, her first marriage to a man named Orion and the birth of their three children (later grown adults in the novel), her eventual artist status in New York City, as well as her impending nuptials to her art dealer, a woman named Viveca.  The story is beautifully layered and touches on aspects of the human spirit that few other authors can write as well as Wally Lamb.  A bit disturbing, yet vividly human, this novel explores topics that any reader will be left thinking about for days.

We only have five weeks to go before CMLE goes on summer hiatus from its publishing duties ! Have you read a book recently that you would like us to feature?

I bought a few copies of this book for my book club among some of the adult staff members in my school.  The copies of this book do reside on the shelf in my media center for students and staff to checkout, but it’s worth noting that there are described scenes of molestation and sexual experiences that some might find offensive and disturbing. Beware who takes this book home–it’s not for the easily offended or the faint of heart.

Please share your take on books you have read recently. If you have a book you would like to showcase, please send your review to our offices. Five weeks until we go on summer hiatus!