I'm so happy that everyone loved my post last week on how to host a successful book club! So many of you are looking to start or join book clubs, or just keep your existing book clubs going strong!
Have you read any of these?
To piggyback on last week's post, I'm sharing some recommendations for book club books that are guaranteed to start a great discussion!
I didn't love all of these books but they definitely lent themselves to great dialogue with friends who had also read these books or in my book clubs!
The secret to a great book club pick, in my opinion, is to pick something that begs to be discussed, something that not everyone will necessarily love, but will spark a great conversation. All of these books fit that description. Just remember, not everyone will love every book and that's ok! Embrace different opinions!
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - This is a great historical fiction pick that will spark discussion, especially given today's political climate.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - I read this book over the summer. It was dark and mysterious but wonderfully written and you and your book club will either love the plot twist at the end or hate it!
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - This is one of my all time favorite books and is the source of my favorite running mantra. Taking place in Apartheid-South Africa, this novel about a kid who grows up wanting to be the welterweight boxing champion of the world explores a beautiful relationship between mentor and mentee and offers a lot to discuss.
Still Alice by Lisa Genoa - Alzheimer's is not an easy topic to read about, or to talk about but the way that Alice's family handles her diagnosis in this book sparked a great discussion when I picked it for my last book club.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Another one of my all-time favorites, this book, told from five different perspectives of four daughters and their mother living in Africa with their missionary father. The character development in this book is fascinating and there's a character development twist, which I loved.
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler - This is a wonderful mystery novel that incorporates elements of fantasy. I gave it 3 stars but I loved talking about it with my book club.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I blogged through this book and you all know that I struggled with it as I read it, which I think makes for a wonderful discussion!
White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby - Not only will this book make you hungry (try making one of the delicious dishes talked about for your book club!), but the character development is strong and the relationships leave a lot to discuss.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - I personally didn't like this book, but I was in the minority with my book club. This post-apocalyptic novel will definitely get you and your book club talking about post-apocalyptic scenarios, which, while morbid, is kind of fun!
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - This book offers a phenomenal perspective on race from a non-American African. The novel's main character (who will be depicted by Lupita Nyong'o in the film adaptation) is a Nigerian who struggles to understand race relations in the US as a non-American African.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - This quickly became one of my top favorite books of all time but the writing style is unique and the narration by death, who often tells you that something is about to happen just before it does, doesn't sit well with a lot of people, which makes for good conversation.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - Oh boy did I hate this book! I finished it and immediately needed to talk to someone about it. That's the sign of a good book club book!
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - This memoir is tough to read, but it's fascinating, and will leave you and your book club mates with a lot to talk about.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - My book club read this and loved it! My only nonfiction pick of the group, this book will have you thinking hard about why you do the things you do and how companies analyze your habits without you even knowing. The section on how Target knows you're pregnant before you even might is fascinating.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave - This is another book that had me desperately seeking someone to talk to at the end. A fascinating read, this book is riveting and has a shocking plot twist at the end that will keep you thinking about if for weeks afterward.
Whether for a book club or not, these will definitely give you something to talk about!
Oh and since so many of you commented about not having a book club to join, I've got something in the works with Carolann so stay tuned!
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - I read this book over the summer. It was dark and mysterious but wonderfully written and you and your book club will either love the plot twist at the end or hate it!
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay - This is one of my all time favorite books and is the source of my favorite running mantra. Taking place in Apartheid-South Africa, this novel about a kid who grows up wanting to be the welterweight boxing champion of the world explores a beautiful relationship between mentor and mentee and offers a lot to discuss.
Still Alice by Lisa Genoa - Alzheimer's is not an easy topic to read about, or to talk about but the way that Alice's family handles her diagnosis in this book sparked a great discussion when I picked it for my last book club.
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Another one of my all-time favorites, this book, told from five different perspectives of four daughters and their mother living in Africa with their missionary father. The character development in this book is fascinating and there's a character development twist, which I loved.
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler - This is a wonderful mystery novel that incorporates elements of fantasy. I gave it 3 stars but I loved talking about it with my book club.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I blogged through this book and you all know that I struggled with it as I read it, which I think makes for a wonderful discussion!
White Truffles in Winter by N.M. Kelby - Not only will this book make you hungry (try making one of the delicious dishes talked about for your book club!), but the character development is strong and the relationships leave a lot to discuss.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - I personally didn't like this book, but I was in the minority with my book club. This post-apocalyptic novel will definitely get you and your book club talking about post-apocalyptic scenarios, which, while morbid, is kind of fun!
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - This book offers a phenomenal perspective on race from a non-American African. The novel's main character (who will be depicted by Lupita Nyong'o in the film adaptation) is a Nigerian who struggles to understand race relations in the US as a non-American African.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - This quickly became one of my top favorite books of all time but the writing style is unique and the narration by death, who often tells you that something is about to happen just before it does, doesn't sit well with a lot of people, which makes for good conversation.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - Oh boy did I hate this book! I finished it and immediately needed to talk to someone about it. That's the sign of a good book club book!
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - This memoir is tough to read, but it's fascinating, and will leave you and your book club mates with a lot to talk about.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - My book club read this and loved it! My only nonfiction pick of the group, this book will have you thinking hard about why you do the things you do and how companies analyze your habits without you even knowing. The section on how Target knows you're pregnant before you even might is fascinating.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave - This is another book that had me desperately seeking someone to talk to at the end. A fascinating read, this book is riveting and has a shocking plot twist at the end that will keep you thinking about if for weeks afterward.
Whether for a book club or not, these will definitely give you something to talk about!
Oh and since so many of you commented about not having a book club to join, I've got something in the works with Carolann so stay tuned!
Have you read any of these?
As always, happy reading!
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