Welcome to my regular series: Book Club Picks.
This week, I'm sharing reviews of a few of the books my book club has discussed this year. We've had a great year of books so far, and I can honestly recommend all of these to other book clubs. They were generally well-received by the whole group, and they all prompted good discussions. Take a look at what we've been reading and then let me know what your book club has read this year.
Note about the links below: My reviews do not include spoilers, but the discussion guides do. The book covers are Amazon Affiliate links. If you use those links to make a purchase, I will receive a very small commission but your price will remain the same.
This is a book for book lovers. The main character owns a book store, which is a great start. It's a charming story of a man who is a bit of a curmudgeon, a woman who falls for him and a little girl who changes his whole perspective on life and family. There are tons of book references throughout the book if you're looking for more ideas.
My review
Discussion questions
Centered around a young man who can't come to grips with his disability and a woman who takes a job to help him because she is desperate for the money, this story will tug at your heartstrings. This novel opens up discussion about some serious topics, including assisted suicide and the choices we face between making others happy or to finding our own happiness.
My review
Discussion questions
Immigration in the United States is a hot topic, and this novel gives book clubs a chance to see the issue from the perspective of immigrants from a variety of countries. The characters all live in the same building but have come to the U.S. for different reasons under difference circumstances. Book clubs can see the challenges they face and explore their hopes and fears.
My review (coming soon)
Discussion questions
This World War II novel shares the stories of two different young people, one a boy in Germany and the other a girl in France. Their experiences during the war are vastly different but together tell a more complete story of what it was like for the youth of Europe during this time.
My review
Discussion questions
This psychological thriller might be a bit different from the typical book club selection, but the characters are so complex and dealing with so many issues, there will be plenty to discuss. There were mixed reviews in my book club but generally it was well-received, even though none of the characters are likeable.
My review
Discussion questions
Please let me know if you have suggestions for topics to cover, or if you would like to write a guest post for my Book Club Picks series. I'd love to hear about your book club or your favorite books for discussion!
Note about the links below: My reviews do not include spoilers, but the discussion guides do. The book covers are Amazon Affiliate links. If you use those links to make a purchase, I will receive a very small commission but your price will remain the same.
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Discussed in March 2015This is a book for book lovers. The main character owns a book store, which is a great start. It's a charming story of a man who is a bit of a curmudgeon, a woman who falls for him and a little girl who changes his whole perspective on life and family. There are tons of book references throughout the book if you're looking for more ideas.
My review
Discussion questions
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Discussed in April 2015Centered around a young man who can't come to grips with his disability and a woman who takes a job to help him because she is desperate for the money, this story will tug at your heartstrings. This novel opens up discussion about some serious topics, including assisted suicide and the choices we face between making others happy or to finding our own happiness.
My review
Discussion questions
The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez
Discussed in May 2015Immigration in the United States is a hot topic, and this novel gives book clubs a chance to see the issue from the perspective of immigrants from a variety of countries. The characters all live in the same building but have come to the U.S. for different reasons under difference circumstances. Book clubs can see the challenges they face and explore their hopes and fears.
My review (coming soon)
Discussion questions
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Discussed in June 2015This World War II novel shares the stories of two different young people, one a boy in Germany and the other a girl in France. Their experiences during the war are vastly different but together tell a more complete story of what it was like for the youth of Europe during this time.
My review
Discussion questions
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Discussed in July 2015This psychological thriller might be a bit different from the typical book club selection, but the characters are so complex and dealing with so many issues, there will be plenty to discuss. There were mixed reviews in my book club but generally it was well-received, even though none of the characters are likeable.
My review
Discussion questions
What has your book club been reading lately?
Please let me know if you have suggestions for topics to cover, or if you would like to write a guest post for my Book Club Picks series. I'd love to hear about your book club or your favorite books for discussion!
Wonderful list....thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy book club hasn't read any of these as a group, but individually.
I see you read ORDINARY GRACE this past year. Love Mr. Kent's books. The only other one I have read in your list of 2015 books is ALL THE LIGHT YOU CANNOT SEE. I want to read THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN. I have the book, but just haven't gotten to it yet.
Have a wonderful week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
Oh, good - we are reading AJ Fikry for September in one of my local book groups, and we just read The Girl on the Train for my family book group - thanks for the reminder - we need to start discussing it tonight!
ReplyDeleteThe other three you list here I am dying to read!! I met Cristina Henriquez this spring, and her novel is set in Delaware, where we live, so that one is especially high on my list.
Great choices!
Sue
Our book this month is "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?", which I'm currently reading. I have "The Girl on the Train" sitting on my Kindle and I think I might recommend it for 2016.
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