Book Club Picks
Here is a list and a short summary of the books my Real Life Book Club has read this year:
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
This amazing book was our first group selection, and the gold standard by which we measure all other books we select! Historical fiction at it’s best, this story is about the life-long friendship between two women in 19th Century China. The footbinding section is particularly gruesome, but fascinating. All members of our book club loved this book.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kid
This was our 2nd selection. An easy read. Most liked it, some loved it, some thought it was just ok. Can easily imagine it as a movie. We had a great discussion about race relations and family secrets.
Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge
This was our 3rd selection. We had an interesting book club meeting, with the author calling in on speaker phone. Lively discussion about food, eating disorders, family ties, secrets and lies, caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. It’s all there. Great book for a book club.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Our 4th selection. Everyone in our club really enjoyed it. Set in 1931 during the depression and prohibition, an old man in a nursing home reflects on his past as a veterinarian in a travelling circus. Very well written and entertaining.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Our 5th selection. Set in Afghanistan, and in the US, and back.. it is the tale of a friendship between Amir and Hassan, a wealthy man’s son and the son of their servant, raised like brothers until a terrible twist of fate pulls them apart. We had a great discussion about loyalty, class differences, politics, love, etc. The reading guide/discussion questions at the back of the book were excellent. Even though there were a couple of very brutal scenes, this is one of my all time favorite books, a modern day classic. Can’t wait for the movie.
Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald
Sept. 2007. This book is a delightful, very quick, easy read. The parents of 27 year old Tami send her to America from Iran in the hopes of finding a husband before her visa runs out. We loved the romantic ending. Many funny, laugh out loud moments. The author got the “voice” of Tami just right. We talked about cultural differences between Iran and the US, parental expectations, marraige, OCD, stereotypes, etc. We had a fun meeting which included the author by speakerphone. Highly recommend.
1.000 White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus
The jury is still out on this one. Our meeting will take place Oct. 21, 2007.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, reviewed HERE
November/December 2007–
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory, reviewed HERE
January 2008
Summer People by Brian Groh, reviewed HERE
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler, reviewed HERE
March 2008
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, reviewed (sort of) HERE
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, discussed HERE
The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski, reviewed HERE
June 2008
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks, reviewed HERE and discussed HERE
July 2008
The Sweet Potato Queens First Big Ass Novel by Jill Conner Browne
August 2008
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
September 2008
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
October 2008
Peony in Love by Lisa See
November 2008
Kandide and the Secret of the Mists by Diana Zimmerman
I love that you list your book club selections here on your blog - I may have to steal this idea!
What a great idea to post your book club’s book choices on your blog! My real life book club read a lot of these titles in 2007 also. I’m on to read your 2008 picks next
Great blog! I would like to suggest a few more books that your club might enjoy:
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain is terrific, as is her most recent novel, Before the Storm.
I also thoroughly enjoyed “The Year of Fog” by Michelle Richmond.