Fast Five: Adult Book Club Finds
Here are five favorite books I would have never discovered apart from book club:
- I Capture the Castle — Dodie Smith
I read about this book in a fabulous recommended reading book called Honey for a Woman’s Heart. I don’t know if I’d have ever gotten around to it, though, if I hadn’t brought it as a book club suggestion. It is romantic, lovely and sweet.
2. Fair and Tender Ladies — Lee Smith
This one I didn’t find through a traditional book club but by listening to the Diane Rehm show on NPR. I only caught ten minutes of the discussion but was so intrigued by the Appalachain love story that I hunted it down immediately.
3. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek — Annie Dillard
My first exposure to Dillard’s beautiful observations as she conducted a writing experiment much like Thoreau’s Walden.
4. Life of Pi — Yann Martel
I missed this discussion while on bedrest with my second child. Still, the story has stayed with me.
5. Madame Bovary — Gustave Flaubert
Though I always meant to read this, I don’t know if I would have without the nudge of a group. I found Emma’s tragic search for herself very much like the biblical book, Ecclesiastes.
What have you discovered through book clubs?
I’ve never been involved with a book club. Most of the ones in my area don’t read books that I gravitate towards, and I don’t have the time to form my own.
I’m thinking of joining the ACFW book club! Thanks for the recommendations.
We read Life of Pi in my book club too (It was one of our best discussions). Also The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Book Thief, The Secret Life of Bees, Return of the Native, The Brothers Karamozov, and lots of other great books across many genres. I love book club!
I adored LIFE OF PI. I would love to be able to write something with that much power.
(FYI, you’re getting a blog award on my blog today. No pressure – ignore it if you like!)
I’m a loser-never joined a book club. But I have picked up some great reads from friends who insisted I had to try this or that-while by myself I was extremely reluctant.
A Game of Thrones-George RR Martin
Wheel of Time-Robert Jordan
Enders Game-Orson Scott Card
The Road-Cormac McCarthy
The Dark Tower-Stephen King
David, I love ENDER and have THE ROAD on my library request list.
I’ve never participated in a book club, but “I Capture the Castle” is one of my all time favorite 1st person novels.
I’m not in a book club, but I have heard a lot about the Life of pi.
I’ve never been a part of a book club – sounds like fun!
I’ve never been to a book club. But I do read book blogs and I’m finding those helpful. Like your suggestions.
The only book clubs I’ve ever belonged to were: Scholastic, Trumpet ad Troll. But I don’t think you are talking about the same kind of club. LOL
This is exactly why I love book clubs. They make me read a book I would have never read on my own.
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Before I got back into writing, I was in 3 book clubs simultaneously. Yes, it was a little crazy, though I often got one group to pick up something I’d read in another.
Some favorites discoveries:
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
The High Flyer by Susan Howatch
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Laurel, I took an African novel class in college and read several Achebe novels there.
Peace Like a River has been sitting on my shelf for years. I took it as a recommendation to my book club several months ago, hoping others might want to read along. So far, no bites.