The Uncoupling

Unless you've taken a Humanities or Classics course, you likely haven't read (or seen performed) Aristophanes' infamous play, Lysistrata.  But I highly recommend it.  It's the story of a group of wives and women living in Ancient Greece who band together and commit to end the Peloponnesian War by...wait for it...withholding sex from their men.  Needless to say, the ban on sex infuriates the men...but the women ultimately bring peace.

Meg Wolitzer tells a modern-day version of this story in her newest book The Uncoupling.  This version centers on a group of teachers, students and couples from Eleanor Roosevelt High whose new, edgy drama teacher selects Aristophanes' Lysistrata to perform for the school's annual play.  While her motive for performing the play isn't political as was Aristophanes' original manuscript, it certainly inspires community conversation.  And an accompanying mysterious wind that blows through the town touches each of the female characters, magically calling them to action within their own relationships. 

Readers will likely laugh out loud at the dialogue and unromantic situations of the characters, unable to side with either the men or the women.  Perfect for the poolside.