18 books (and 1 speech) Bill Clinton thinks everyone should be reading this year

Amazon summary: At a time of much despair over the future of liberal democracy, Jill Lepore makes a stirring case for the nation in "This America," a follow-up to her much-celebrated history of the United States, "These Truths."

Clinton's thoughts: "Short powerful call for inclusive nationalism."

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Amazon summary: Conceived as a gorgeously illustrated accompaniment to "How Do We Look" and "The Eye of Faith," the famed "Civilisations" shows on PBS, renowned classicist Mary Beard has created this elegant volume on how we have looked at art.

Clinton's thoughts: "How we see things."

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Amazon summary: "The Widow Washington" is the first life of Mary Ball Washington, George Washington's mother, based on archival sources.

Clinton's thoughts: "George's mother bore the burdens and strained at the confines of womanhood in 18th century Virginia."

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Amazon summary: In this sweeping, eloquent history of America, Kurt Andersen shows that what's happening in our country today — this post-factual, "fake news" moment we're all living through — is not something new, but rather the ultimate expression of our national character.

Clinton's thoughts: "An irreverent look at our long embrace of fantasy for better and worse."

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Amazon summary: In "Beyond Charlottesville," [former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe] looks at the forces and events that led to the tragedy in Charlottesville, including the vicious murder of Heather Heyer and the death of two state troopers in a helicopter accident.

Clinton's thoughts: "On that fateful day, he spoke for America."

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Amazon summary: This is a book about the realm in which nobody should ever want to fight a war: the fifth domain, the Pentagon's term for cyberspace.

Clinton's thoughts: "Read this and you'll see what we're all up against in cyberspace."

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Amazon summary: When a murder takes place right under Aloysius Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison

Clinton's thoughts: "One of his finest books. Great character, great story, great portrait of an era."

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Amazon summary: At an exclusive private school in Switzerland, mystery surrounds the identity of the beautiful raven-haired girl who arrives each morning in a motorcade fit for a head of state.

Clinton's thoughts: "Gabriel Allon never fails and this one explains Israel's view of the neighborhood."

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Amazon summary: Twenty years after the Srebrenica massacre that claimed the life of his friend and colleague, Eric Petrosian is back in Sarajevo at the American embassy, and the specter of war once again hangs over the Balkans.

Clinton's thoughts: "Compelling tour of Bosnia by a seasoned diplomat and first-class storyteller."

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Amazon summary: To FBI special agent Harrison "Books" Bookman, everyone in the FBI is a suspect — particularly Emmy Dockery (the fact that she's his ex-fiancee doesn't make it easier).

Clinton's thoughts: "America's storyteller keeps finding good ones to tell."

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Amazon summary: The solitary inhabitants of the Inn will have to learn, before time runs out, that their only choice is between standing together — or dying alone.

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Amazon summary: The air is unbearably tense as Armand Gamache returns to the Sûreté du Québec for his first day of work since his demotion from its command to head of homicide. Amid blistering personal social media attacks, Gamache sets out on his first assignment - to find a missing woman.

Clinton's thoughts: "She never gives up on Gamache and he keeps coming through."

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Amazon summary: A small town hides big secrets in "The Dry," an atmospheric, page-turning debut mystery by award-winning author Jane Harper.

Clinton's thoughts: "This book makes the Australian Outback come alive and breeds respect for its survivors."

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Amazon summary: Beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs investigates the mysterious murder of an American war correspondent in London during the Blitz in a page-turning tale of love and war, terror and survival.

Clinton's thoughts: "Maisie Dobbs is aging well."

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Amazon summary: The day Anna McDonald's quiet, respectable life exploded started off like all the days before: Packing up the kids for school, making breakfast, listening to yet another true crime podcast. Then her husband comes downstairs with an announcement, and Anna is suddenly, shockingly alone.

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Amazon summary: Best-selling and award-winning author Lisa Scottoline reaches new heights with this riveting novel about how a single decision can undo a family, how our past can derail our present, and how not guilty doesn't always mean innocent.

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Amazon summary: New York Times best-selling author Karin Slaughter brings back Will Trent and Sara Linton in this superb and timely thriller full of devious twists, disturbing secrets, and shocking surprises you won't see coming.

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Amazon summary: From Alafair Burke—New York Times bestselling author of the runaway hit, The Wife— comes another twisty tale of domestic noir. When a prominent Manhattan lawyer is murdered, two estranged sisters—one the dead man's widow, the other his ex—must set aside mistrust and old resentments ... but can they escape their past?

Clinton's thoughts (regarding the last four books): "In different ways, all these books deal with both current and age-old challenges women face. The characters and plots are good, and there are some interesting takes on the role of social media in shaping our perceptions of reality."

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