Behold the Dreamers / Imbolo Mbue, 382 pp., read by Prentice Onayemi

A timely and well-told tale, this is the latest Oprah pick, as well as the selection for September for the U City Book Group.  Jende Jonga is a Cameroonian immigrant to New York who lands a job as chauffeur to a high-level executive at Lehman Brothers in 2007.  He and his wife and son feel that they may finally be on the path to security when the economy collapses and their entwined relationships with Jende's employer and his family threaten their situation.  Although the plot of the novel holds few surprises, and the wealthy Edwards family who employ the Jongas are superficially drawn, I loved the story of Jende and his family.  Believable characters and a balanced and humane view of the immigrant experience make this a worthwhile read, and the audio is a pleasure.

Janesville

Janesville: an American story / Amy Goldstein, 364 pgs.

This book is a study of Janesville, Wisconsin following the financial meltdown in 2008 when the GM plant in town closed.  The plant closing had a ripple effect as other supporting businesses closed and threw a LOT of people in town out of work. The author does a careful study of several families and how they deal with the recession.  Even after the recession, Janesville had high unemployment and many of those who were working were doing so at much lower wages.  An interesting look at a small manufacturing town and how they pulled together and pulled apart.  Formerly a town with a generous giving campaigns, as more and more need charity there are fewer to support these efforts.  From homeless teens to families struggling to buy groceries, the problems grow.  But there are bright spots and many people learn to get by but you have to wonder if there are better ways to handle these things.