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LIT4MOM Book Club: The Names

September 17, 2025

LIT4MOM, our Book Club for Moms, is back in September!

We will be reading Florence Knapp’s novel, The Names. The story of one family told three different ways, leading to three different fates—a dazzling debut that asks: Can a name shape the course of a life?

In the wake of an enormous, history-making storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son’s birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the child after him. But when the registrar asks which name she wants to pick, Cora hesitates . . .

What follows are three alternate and alternating versions of both Cora’s and her young son’s life, shaped by her brave last-minute choice of name. Spanning thirty-five years, the novel draws us in from the first page, as we follow three unforgettable journeys of one young man, but also his mother, grandmother, and sister. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.

Let's relax, unwind (bring your own beverage and/or a munchie to share), connect with like-minded moms as we chat about this summer read! We’ll share the host location in Dunwoody to members closer to the meet up!