Book Club Suggestions, Please

[Anonymous]

I will be hosting in a few months and am really struggling to come up with a good book. I am so tired of historical fiction! I want a book that can generate some good discussion beyond the "what character...?" standard book club questions. I will add that the women in my group are not the most liberal and we are discouraged from choosing books with strong political plot points.

And suggestions from all of you avid readers? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The Measure
The Light Pirate

Both could lead to great discussions about society and personal values.

[Anonymous]

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Matrix by Lauren Groff

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott

[Anonymous]

I second The Measure. It's not great literature but it raises some really interesting questions.

Another interesting one could be an autobiography if you've never done that before? You could pick an actor or someone who isn't political.

Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King creates an interesting universe (all the women on earth fall into a deep sleep and only the men are left). Without ruining anything I'll say that it has some thought-provoking commentary on what all-female and all-male societies would look like.

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult is a Sliding Doors-like book where a woman's life diverges at one point. Anything along those lines could create interesting conversations.

Probably most of the books in the Time Travel thread would be easy to discuss - what time in your life would you go back to, etc. Oona Out Of Order specifically comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

I don't like regular literature much though

[Anonymous]

Klara and the Sun
Never Let me Go

One of the best discussions in my book club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Klara and the Sun
Never Let me Go

One of the best discussions in my book club

I loved Never Let Me Go. It's haunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Klara and the Sun
Never Let me Go

One of the best discussions in my book club

* Two of the best discussions in my book club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Klara and the Sun
Never Let me Go

One of the best discussions in my book club

I loved Never Let Me Go. It's haunting.

Haunting yes. Ishiguro makes me question the humanity in so many different ways - from hopeless to not so bad.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for these suggestions. I should also add that most of the women are 55 - 65. Not sure that it makes a difference but I definitely find myself rejecting some books that I think are better for younger readers.

Thanks again!!!

[Anonymous]

I agree with The Measure. Also, maybe family-driven books like Ask Again, Yes, or some of Ann Patchett's books?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with The Measure. Also, maybe family-driven books like Ask Again, Yes, or some of Ann Patchett's books?

Thank you! May I get some thoughts on Tom Lake? I love Ann Patchett but this one seems like it's getting lots of "meh" reviews.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Yellowface right now and it would be perfect. Though it might be better for a younger group?

Agree on Ishiguro suggestions.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is wonderful, especially during this time of year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading Yellowface right now and it would be perfect. Though it might be better for a younger group?

Agree on Ishiguro suggestions.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is wonderful, especially during this time of year.

I don't think I'd do Yellowface with a conservative group. I enjoyed it and it made me think, but I wouldn't recommend it to an older, conservative group.

[Anonymous]

I'm reading Invisible Girl. It's great. It isn't political, but highlights how all parties messed up NYC homeless and CPS stuff.