So, it’s your turn to choose the next book for book club, and you don’t don’t know what to choose. Here are five that we read in my book group and which generated really interesting discussions. They weren’t the best liked and didn’t receive the highest scores, but these were the ones where we talked the most.
Don’t you think that book groups where people disagree about the book or discover something new are the best?
Let me know the books that have had the best discussions in your book group.
And if you ever choose one of mine, drop me a line and let me know which one you’re reading and I can email you some book group questions.
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Hi Claire — I wanted again to say how much I enjoyed “Hunger & Thirst” (I’ll be getting a hard copy, too, when its released –I already pre-paid for it) — and will share about your book in several of my book groups (many book groups on Facebook) …
I thought I might also share with you a book I found wonderful — and ‘think’ you will too:
“The Animal Room” by Lauren Acampora — Thanks again for ‘your’ many great recommendations – and most SO EXCITED for you with your new book coming out….VERY WORTHY of AWARDS!!!
Elyse
Hi Elyse,
Great to hear from you and I’m so pleased you enjoyed Hunger and Thirst! I hope you might be able to join me online when I have my US launch. More info here. I don’t know The Animal Room, but I’m going to look it up. Thanks for the recommendation!
Leave the World Behind was a divisive one for my book club, but we got a good discussion out of it! We’ve read a different Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day) and loved it. I’m keen to read the Makkai but worry it would be too long for others to read — we tend to set a 350-page limit.
For your anonymous questioner, some adoption-themed novels I’d recommend are Love Forms by Claire Adam, Unexpected Lessons in Love by Bernardine Bishop, Violets by Alex Hyde, and Ripeness by Sarah Moss.
I think you and Tim would get on well with a book I just finished: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. (It would be a good book club selection, too.)
Hi Rebecca,
But aren’t divisive books the best for discussions?! I also loved The Remains of the Day, and I highly recommend the Makkai, even if you don’t read it for book club. Thanks for your suggestion of adoption-themed novels, I will pass those on. And I’ll also take a look at the Harpman. If you ever want me to come up with some recommendations for you, let me know – although I also know you’re a big reader!
I’ve been in a book group for 20 years and there are only 4 of us now. We met at work and carried on after retirement.
Books that have had the best discussions: Lonesome Dove, ( really didn’t want to read that but loved it), the glass room Simon Mawr, greengage summer Rumer Godden, the bell Irish Murdoch, burial rites Hannah Kent, Held Anne Michaels, unsettled ground Claire Fuller!
These are some of the discussions that went on right over lunch- which is when we meet. I’ve read many books I wouldn’t otherwise have picked up.
That’s a long time! How wonderful. My book club read and loved Lonesome Dove, but because we all loved it, I don’t think it led to the best discussion. Some of your others I’ve read and others not, so I’ll look those up. And thank you for choosing Unsettled Ground. If you ever read any of my others let me know and I can send you book club questions.