I've been a part of online book clubs since 1999. But I've always wanted to belong to a real book club and finally, in July of 2011, I joined one. It meets the third Tuesday of every month at the public library. We have wonderful, thoughtful readers in our book club and together we have read and talked about some wonderful, thoughtful books. Here are a few of my favorites:
Friendship Bread
This was our first book club pick. We set the bar high by Skyping the author and bringing batches of friendship bread to share with others. It wasn't a great read, but it was a fun discussion.
Remembering Ben Clayton
This book is set in Texas, and that always provokes lots of wonderful discussion for us here in Texas. I later went with another member of our group to hear the author speak in Houston, and that added to the charm of the book for me.
Being Mortal
The author of this book is a doctor, and he writes of dilemmas doctors face when they confront mortality in their patients.
The Train to Crystal City: FDR's Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and America's Only Family Internment Camp During World War II
This true story was an eyeopener for all of us in the group.
Call the Midwife
Another true book, Call the Midwife is a memoir of a midwife in a poor area of London just after World War II.
Gilead
We loved John Ames and the thoughts and reminiscences and moral advice of Ames he set down in the book for his young son.
Earth Abides
We really changed gears when we read this old science fiction novel, Earth Abides. This post-apocalyptic book brought out great discussion.
To Kill a Mockingbird
We had all read this before, but this time everyone seemed to read carefully and to take good notes.
The Grapes of Wrath
You just can't go wrong with classics, I think.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Whew. We got a taste of deep poverty in India.
I'd love to hear what other books you would recommend for our group.
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All totally new to me reads!! Thinking that's going to be a theme today!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
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I just read To Kill a Mockingbird to the first time last year. I loved it, of course. I really want to read Call the Midwife. I'm training to be a birth doula. I think I would fins it fascinating. Great list.
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten
I recently read Behind the Beautiful Forevers and my first thought was "I must get my book group to read this!". Great pick.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list - https://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/top-books-for-book-groups-that-like-wine-and-whining/
I read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school and I enjoyed the read and a lot of it has stuck with me but I feel like I should reread it again for an adult perspective. I listened to Go Set a Watchman not too long ago and while it isn't particularly good it was interesting to see the beginning seeds of where To Kill a Mockingbird came from. The others on your list I haven't read but I have Grapes of Wrath coming up soon. I've read so much Steinbeck but somehow have missed his best known book! Great list! Several of these are new to me and I'll be looking for them at my next library visit.
ReplyDeleteMy book club group read Behind The Beautiful For Forevers and they loved the discussion that followed reading the book. It definitely gave us all some insight to experiences in India we were not familiar with.
ReplyDeleteIt was an amazing read.
DeleteI think I'll have to add The Train to Crystal City to my tbr! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
I've enjoyed quite a few of these, but still need to read Gilead - it's been on my shelf for years! Adding The Train to Crystal City to my list, too.
ReplyDeleteGilead is one of my all-time favorite reads.
DeleteI have lots and lots of Love for To Kill a Mockingbird. So much love, in fact, that I pre-ordered Go Set a Watchman, but can not actually bring myself to read it. I have it, and that is enough.
ReplyDeleteI have added the FDR book to my TBR list. The camps are something I want to know more about, and how this worked during the war - but it always makes me kind of sad when I learn things about presidents I admire, that make me admire them a little (sometimes a lot!) less.
http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com/2016/10/top-ten-tuesday_31.html
I've been intrigued by Call The Midwife for a while now, admittedly my interest coming along after the TV adaptation here in the UK. I have yet to pick it up yet though. Thanks for sharing these; love how you interpreted the topic!
ReplyDeleteThe discussions were good because you were there to give input and get us to talking.
ReplyDeleteNice list. I recall our book club had a really good discussion with Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, which is a powerful book! We also liked Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.
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