Welcome to the Book Nook!  This is the weekly thread for Avocados to discuss books we’re currently reading, recommendations, genre, and serious literary criticism. 

This week’s recommended discussion:  Are there books where it’s essential to know a particular culture or history in order to understanding that book’s references or context?
(hat tip to Mongo Only Pawn)

Because we’re here to use our words, this is a NO GIF/YouTube/social media embed zone.  The OTs are full of clutter, and I want to keep that out of this thread. Images related to a post are fine, though.

upcoming topics:
6/2:  the dream cast for an adaptation (h/t Antononymous)
6/9:  read in order to avoid spoilers (h/t MisterSplendiferous)
6/16:  the definition of insanity
6/23:  deal breakers
6/30:  overshadowed

Book Nook posts every Wednesday at 8:15 AM Eastern.