What are Buzz Residents Reading?: Stacy Humphries

This week I interviewed Buzz resident Stacy Humphries about what she has read recently and loved. She selected the book A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by Timothy Egan. It is described by the publisher as a historical thriller that tells the riveting story of the Klan's rise to power in the 1920s, the cunning con man who drove that rise, and the woman who stopped them. 

Here is what Stacy has to say about it:

What is the best book you have read recently?

The best book I have read lately is A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan.

What did you like about it? What made it stand out to you? 

This well-researched, well-written non-fiction book details the incredible rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. I thought I knew about the Ku Klux Klan, but I only knew the KKK of the post-Civil War era. I knew nothing about the unbelievable resurgence, power, and influence of the KKK in the 1920s. It was mind-blowing to learn this part of U.S. history and upsetting to realize that this information isn’t taught in history class. Even more remarkable to me were the parallels I could draw between the people/events in this book and the people/events of the 2020s. 

How did you learn about the book?

During the pandemic I began following the Instagram account of a former high school government teacher named Sharon McMahon. Sharon shares non-partisan information about democracy and how the U.S. government works with a mission of educating her followers and combating misinformation. Sharon leads a virtual book club, and A Fever in the Heartland was recently one of her book club selections. 

What are you reading now?
 
I am about to start reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. My high school senior read this in his English seminar and really enjoyed it. Recently, a co-worker mentioned that Chinua Achebe is her favorite author, so I decided to read one of his most famous books. I love occasionally reading international authors because, in addition to creating great stories, the authors provide captivating looks at other cultures. 

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram. Find upcoming Conversations from a Page events here.