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I am in the middle of a very busy couple of weeks. First up, last weekend I attended Lisa Scottoline’s Big Book Club Party, which she threw for the 13th year with her daughter, Francesca Serritella. You can see a photo of my son, Greg, and me with Lisa and Francesca above. Hosted at her 44-acre farm, this was one amazing day. You can read my blog about it here, complete with photos. It is one of my favorite bookish day memories from the 22 years that The Book Report Network has been in business!
This weekend, at the Morristown Festival of Books, I am interviewing Kate Quinn and Fiona Davis, as well as Kate Morton and Diane Chamberlain. I have been writing questions for them all week; I literally edit my interview questions until the day before the event. I will be meeting Diane for the first time; the others I have had the pleasure of meeting in the past. This weekend is also the Boston Book Festival and the Brattleboro Literary Festival. It’s a real cornucopia of book events for readers this weekend.
I feel like I have had a lot of book homework. I am lucky that my own book club has once again selected a title that I already have read. Whew! We will be discussing one of my favorite books of the year, EDUCATED by Tara Westover, when we meet on Monday night. For next month, we are trying to decide between THERE THERE by Tommy Orange and A PLACE FOR US by Fatima Farheen Mirza. Decisions, decisions. I have read neither, though we have reviewed them on Bookreporter.com, and both are on my “to be read” pile. Check back to see what we select in the next newsletter.
We asked you for book recommendations for a book club of men, and wow, you certainly responded. Here’s a blog with your suggestions. Many thanks to all of you who shared your ideas. I will be passing these along to the publishing colleague who asked for recommendations for her dad.
Here's my next question for you: If a book group was brand new, what book would you suggest that they start with? Write me at [email protected] with the subject line “New Book Group,” and we will share your suggestions in November.
We’re pleased to announce that CODE GIRLS: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II, Liza Mundy’s national bestseller that is now available in paperback, is our latest “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest book.
Here, we learn all about the more than 10,000 women recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy who served as code breakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these courageous females moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them.
We’re giving three readers the chance to win 12 copies of this meticulously researched book for their group. To enter, click here and let us know by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET what book you’re currently reading with your group. Be sure to take a look at the discussion guide here and our review on Bookreporter.com here.
CODE GIRLS appears on the Winter 2018–2019 Indie Next List for Reading Groups. This just-announced list features the Top Ten favorites chosen by booksellers, along with 34 additional titles in eight categories --- Nonfiction, Historical Fiction, Dazzling Debuts, Memoir, Mystery & Thriller, Family & Coming-of-Age, Fantasy & Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult. These books “offer the promise of great discussions for reading groups of every kind,” so perhaps you’ll find a few titles that you’ll want to discuss with your group or add to your personal reading list.
In our previous “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest, here are the five books mentioned most frequently as titles that our book groups read: BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate, the aforementioned EDUCATED by Tara Westover, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles, THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah, and LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng. Scroll further down the newsletter to see the other titles in our Top 15.
Which of these titles, if any, have you read, or are you planning to read, with your book group? That’s our latest poll question; let us know by clicking here. It’s rare for a classic to crack the Top 15, but A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith has achieved that. It’s one of PBS’s 100 “Great American Reads,” so I’m sure that has generated much interest among readers and book groups. Speaking of which, be sure to tune in to the finale of “The Great American Read” on October 23rd at 8pm ET, when the best-loved novel in America will be announced.
In our previous poll, we were curious about the genre of the book you are currently reading with your group. Here are your top five: Historical Fiction (39%), General Fiction (21%), Literary Fiction (14%), Autobiography/Memoir (13%) and Women’s Fiction (11%). Click here for all the results.
Hmmm...I'm so glad you like historical fiction, as both of our special contests are for historical fiction titles.
In the first contest, we’re giving away THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Hazel Gaynor, which was inspired by true events.
It’s 1838, and Longstone Lighthouse has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her 22 years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and visiting artist George Emmerson. One hundred years later, a pregnant Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history.
We have 12 copies of THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER to give away to three groups. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET. In the meantime, you can check out the discussion guide here.
The prize for our second contest is a debut novel: Marjorie Herrera Lewis’ WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE, which also is based on a true story.
Every Friday night, for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town of Brownwood, Texas, has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on. But the war has changed everything. Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting. Could this mean a season without football? To everyone’s surprise, Tylene convinces the school to let her take on the job of coach. Her players rally around her in the face of extreme opposition, and she leads the team --- and the town --- to a season they will remember for a long time.
We’re awarding 12 copies of WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE to three groups. To be eligible to win, all you have to do is fill out this form by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET. Although we don’t have a guide for this book, we encourage you to peruse our historical fiction discussion questions, which may help you in your group's discussion.
We’ve added three more guides to this update: THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER by Kate Morton, the story of a love affair and a mysterious murder that cast their shadows across generations; KICK-ASS KINDA GIRL, Kathi Koll’s powerfully moving memoir about being a full-time caregiver to her husband, who suffered a massive stroke; and WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS, a debut collection from Chaya Bhuvaneswar --- and winner of the 2017 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize --- that spotlights diverse women of color facing sexual harassment and racial violence, and occasionally inflicting that violence on each other.
Don’t miss our Reading Roundup and New in Paperback features, which we’ve updated for October. On Bookreporter.com, we have our ongoing Word of Mouth and Sounding Off on Audio contests, where we’re giving away some outstanding hardcovers and audiobooks. And this year’s Bookreporter.com Fall Preview contests will be wrapping up the week of October 15th with our final four giveaways.
Laurie Frankel’s novel, THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS, is the latest Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick. Here’s what Reese had to say about it: “Every once in a while, I read a book that opens my eyes in a way I never expected. This is why I’m so excited to share my October pick: THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS by Laurie Frankel. It’s a book about family: childhood, parenthood, and the sometimes-heartbreaking decisions that come with it. As a mother, this story absolutely tore at my heartstrings. I can’t wait for you to read it!” Click here for the discussion guide and here for our Bookreporter.com review.
As we mentioned in the last newsletter, BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman is the October pick for Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites program. S&S will host a Facebook Live Book Club chat about BEARTOWN on Wednesday, October 24th at 5pm ET. Be sure to join the conversation with your comments about the book and interact with your fellow Backman fans.
There are still a few tickets remaining for Book Club Girls' Night Out, which will take place on Wednesday, October 17th at 6:30pm at the HarperCollins offices in New York City. I will be interviewing Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White (known as Team W) about their latest collaborative novel, THE GLASS OCEAN, which was a recent Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. If you’d like to attend, click here for all the details and to reserve your seats. Do so now before it’s too late. If you are there that night, please introduce yourself to me!
To those of you in the path of Hurricane Michael, we are holding good thoughts for you. It seems to be cutting a very wide swath.
Here’s to having a great book group discussion this month.
Carol Fitzgerald ([email protected])
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, ReadingGroupGuides.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of CODE GIRLS
by Liza Mundy for Your Group
Each month, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. Note: To be eligible to win, let us know the title of the book that YOUR book group is CURRENTLY reading, NOT the title we are giving away.
This month's prize book is the paperback edition of CODE GIRLS by Liza Mundy, the award-winning national bestseller about the American women who secretly served as code breakers during World War II. To enter, please fill out the form on this page by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET.
CODE GIRLS: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy (History)
Recruited by the U.S. Army and Navy from small towns and elite colleges, more than 10,000 women served as code breakers during World War II. While their brothers and boyfriends took up arms, these women moved to Washington and learned the meticulous work of code-breaking. Their efforts shortened the war, saved countless lives, and gave them access to careers previously denied to them. A strict vow of secrecy nearly erased their efforts from history.
Now, through dazzling research and interviews with surviving code girls, Liza Mundy brings to life this riveting and vital story of American courage, service and scientific accomplishment.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Special Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER
by Hazel Gaynor for Your Group
We are celebrating the release of THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Hazel Gaynor --- a historical novel inspired by true events, and the extraordinary female lighthouse keepers of the past 200 years --- with a special contest that will give three groups the chance to win 12 copies of the book. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET.
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Hazel Gaynor (Historical Fiction)
“They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.”
1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her 22 years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.
1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen years old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Special Contest: Enter to Win 12 Copies of
WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE
by Marjorie Herrera Lewis for Your Group
Marjorie Herrera Lewis’ debut historical novel, WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE, tells the inspiring true story of high school teacher Tylene Wilson, a woman who surprises everyone as she breaks with tradition to become the first high school football coach in Texas. We are celebrating its release with a special contest that will give three groups the chance to win 12 copies of the book. To enter, please fill out this form by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET.
WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE by Marjorie Herrera Lewis (Historical Fiction)
Football is the heartbeat of Brownwood, Texas. Every Friday night for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on. Each September brings with it the hope of a good season and a sense of unity and optimism.
Now, the war has changed everything. Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting, and in a small town the possibilities are limited. Could this mean a season without football? But no one counted on Tylene, who learned the game at her daddy’s knee. She knows more about it than most men, so she does the unthinkable, convincing the school to let her take on the job of coach.
Faced with extreme opposition --- by the press, the community, rival coaches and referees, and even the players themselves --- Tylene remains resolute. And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team --- and the town --- to a Friday night and a subsequent season they will never forget.
Based on a true story, WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE is a powerful and vibrant novel of perseverance and personal courage.
While no guide is available at this time, be sure to check out our historical fiction discussion questions, which may help you in your group's discussion of the book.
Click here to enter the contest.
New Guide: THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER
by Kate Morton
THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER by Kate Morton (Historical Fiction)
In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe's life is in ruins.
Over 150 years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.
Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: KICK-ASS KINDA GIRL by Kathi Koll
KICK-ASS KINDA GIRL: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Caregiving by Kathi Koll (Memoir)
When her husband, Don, called on his way to the hospital, Kathi Koll had no idea how dramatically their lives would change --- or how her loving heart and indomitable spirit would fight it.
From childhood, Kathi's life might have seemed idyllic: play dates with Lucie Arnaz, real dates with a future TV idol, and a big brother engaged to film star Dolores Hart. But behind the scenes, her role as a caregiver began early with a mother dying of cancer, a father battling alcoholism, and both of her older brothers fighting debilitating diseases.
But then Kathi found Don Koll --- her "knight." Like living a movie script, together Don and Kathi built a life of adventure traveling to far off lands at the behest of royalty, surviving a carjacking, and cracking jokes with the president. Their joie de vivre made everything feel possible until Don woke up "locked in" after his catastrophic stroke.
With unflinching honesty and humor, Kathi shares the realities of a life in uncharted territory as a full-time caregiver, from the challenges of turning her home into a mobile hospital to the complications of intimacy. Her ability to share sorrows while laughing at herself helped her find a "New Normal" where she and Don could live each day to its fullest.
This is a powerfully moving look at what it takes to carry oneself through the worst of circumstances and an uplifting tale of resilience that will help others facing the challenges of caring for their loved ones to never lose hope for tomorrow.
Click here for the discussion guide.
New Guide: WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS
by Chaya Bhuvaneswar
WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS: Stories by Chaya Bhuvaneswar (Fiction/Short Stories)
A woman grieves a miscarriage, haunted by the Buddha’s birth. An artist with schizophrenia tries to survive hatred and indifference in small-town India by turning to the beauty of sculpture and dance. Orphans in India get pulled into a strange “rescue” mission aimed at stripping their mysterious powers. A brief but intense affair between two women culminates in regret and betrayal. A boy seeks memories of his sister in the legend of a woman who weds death. And fragments of history, from child brickmakers to slaves in Renaissance Portugal, are held up in brief fictions, burnished, made dazzling and unforgettable.
In 16 remarkable stories, Chaya Bhuvaneswar spotlights diverse women of color --- cunning, bold and resolute --- facing sexual harassment and racial violence, and occasionally inflicting that violence on each other. Winner of the 2017 Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize, WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS marks the emergence of a new and original voice in fiction and explores feminist, queer, religious and immigrant stories with precision, drama and compassion.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for the discussion guide.
October's Reading Roundup: Top Picks from
Indie Next, LibraryReads, Target and Costco
Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads, as well as the Target Book Club title and Pennie's Pick for Costco.
This month's Indie Next titles include VIRGIL WANDER, Leif Enger’s first novel in 10 years, which follows the inhabitants of a small Midwestern town in their quest to revive its flagging heart; Nicole Chung’s memoir, ALL YOU CAN EVER KNOW, a profound, moving chronicle of surprising connections and the repercussions of unearthing painful family secrets; and WASHINGTON BLACK, a dazzling adventure story from Esi Edugyan about a boy who rises from the ashes of slavery to become a free man of the world.
LibraryReads is spotlighting UNSHELTERED by Barbara Kingsolver, a timely novel that interweaves past and present to explore the human capacity for resiliency and compassion in times of great upheaval; THE LIBRARY BOOK, the latest from Susan Orlean, who reopens the unsolved mystery of the most catastrophic library fire in American history and delivers a dazzling love letter to a beloved institution --- our libraries; and THE PROPOSAL by Jasmine Guillory, a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn't turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own.
October’s Target Book Club title is GOOD ME BAD ME by Ali Land, and Pennie's Pick for Costco is BRIDGE OF CLAY by Markus Zusak.
Click here for the complete roundup.
Our Most Popular Book Group Selections for September's "What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest
October's New in Paperback Roundups
on Bookreporter.com
October's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes Jojo Moyes' STILL ME, which follows Louisa Clark as she discovers who she is and who she was always meant to be --- and to live boldly in her brave new world; EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke, a gripping mystery centered on television producer Laurie Moran's investigation of the unsolved Met Gala murder --- in which a wealthy widow was pushed to her death from the famous museum’s rooftop; WHITE HOUSES, Amy Bloom's fictional take on the unexpected and forbidden affair between Eleanor Roosevelt and reporter Lorena Hickok; and SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney, a debut psychological thriller that asks: Is something really a lie if you believe it's the truth?
Among our nonfiction highlights are LEONARDO DA VINCI, in which Walter Isaacson weaves a narrative that connects Leonardo's art to his science, showing how his genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves --- such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy; BOBBY KENNEDY, a gripping, in-depth, behind-the-scenes portrait of Robert F. Kennedy by Chris Matthews, an esteemed Kennedy expert and anchor of MSNBC’s "Hardball"; and IT'S ALL RELATIVE, A.J. Jacobs' hilarious, heartfelt quest to understand what constitutes family --- where it begins and how far it goes --- and his attempt to untangle the true meaning of the “Family of Humankind.”
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
October 1st, October 8th, October 15th, October 22nd and October 29th.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: BECOMING MRS. LEWIS,
THE DREAM DAUGHTER and HEARTLAND Audiobook
BECOMING MRS. LEWIS by Patti Callahan (Historical Fiction)
BECOMING MRS. LEWIS by Patti Callahan is the story of Joy Davidman, who first turned to C. S. Lewis for spiritual guidance, and then slowly but steadily became the woman who won his heart.
When we first meet Joy, she is a wife, a mother and a writer. She struggles with the burden of an uncaring husband who is an alcoholic and whose moods are often dark. He, too, is a writer, but he struggles with his work. The boys are active, and Joy is pulled in many directions. She begins a correspondence with Lewis, questioning her faith and her life. In frail health, she takes a break from her domestic world and travels abroad to, among other things, meet Lewis for the first time. Their conversations are friendly yet professional; he keeps his distance, but clearly there is a connection between them with their writing and their spirited discussions. She loves his mind; he embraces her spirit of life and her questioning of it.
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
THE DREAM DAUGHTER by Diane Chamberlain (Fiction)
THE DREAM DAUGHTER by Diane Chamberlain has been one of my toughest Bets On write-ups, as I want to give away nothing about it. One of the delights of the book is the slow reveals that will unfold and be great "aha" moments.
It opens in 1970. Carly Sears is a young pregnant widow who is living with her sister and brother-in-law on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in Nags Head. Her husband was in Vietnam. At a routine doctor's appointment, Carly learns that she is carrying a daughter with a heart problem. Her brother-in-law, a brilliant physicist, is familiar with technology that can help her baby receive the in vitro surgery that she needs to survive. He actually has lived life in the future. What happens and what intervenes along the way will give readers a lot to think about.
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review on Bookreporter.com.
HEARTLAND: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth (Audiobook) written and read by Sarah Smarsh (Memoir)
In HEARTLAND: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth, Sarah Smarsh traces her Midwestern Kansas family’s roots back four generations. Along the way, she takes readers on a deep dive into a world where everyone worked, often multiple jobs, yet they remained poor. She shares a perspective of life in this world through the eyes of the family for which she has deep feelings. Her writing is frank and leaves readers with lots to ponder, especially at a time when this country is deeply divided. Here, Sarah shares a perspective that is illuminating, especially for those on either coast. I love the voice and tone of her work, as well as the pacing of her narration. I listened to it on audio, and her Midwestern twang contributed to the success of the story for me.
- Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
- Click here to read a review of the hardcover on Bookreporter.com.
Click here for more books we're betting you'll love.
Bookreporter.com's
Fall Preview Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about in the days and months to come.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days in September and October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Enter Our Ongoing Bookreporter.com Contests:
"Word of Mouth" and "Sounding Off on Audio"
We currently are featuring the following guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
THE 7½ DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE by Stuart Turton (Historical Mystery/Thriller)
What happens when you mix an Agatha Christie-esque mystery with a Groundhog Day loop, then add a dash of "Quantum Leap"?
THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER by Kate Morton (Historical Fiction)
Told by multiple voices across time, THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER is a rich, spellbinding story of murder, mystery and thievery, of art, love and loss.
CODE GIRLS: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy (History)
CODE GIRLS is the award-winning national bestseller about the American women who secretly served as code breakers during World War II --- a "prodigiously researched and engrossing" (New York Times) book that "shines a light on a hidden chapter of American history" (Denver Post).
THE GLASS OCEAN by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White (Historical Mystery)
From the New York Times bestselling authors of THE FORGOTTEN ROOM comes a captivating historical mystery, infused with romance, that links the lives of three women across a century --- two deep in the past, one in the present --- to the doomed passenger liner, RMS Lusitania.
THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas (Fiction)
THE HATE U GIVE is a groundbreaking, thought-provoking debut novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, about a teen girl who is the only witness to her friend's fatal shooting by a police officer.
HEARTLAND: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth by Sarah Smarsh (Memoir/Sociology)
Combining memoir with powerful analysis and cultural commentary, HEARTLAND is an uncompromising look at class, identity and the particular perils of having less in a country known for its excess.
KICK-ASS KINDA GIRL: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Caregiving by Kathi Koll (Memoir)
Kathi Koll's powerfully moving memoir is both a love story and a warrior's tale. With unflinching honesty and refreshing humor, Koll unveils an unexpected life of joy, adventure and great sadness as she shares the realities of being a full-time caregiver.
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Hazel Gaynor (Historical Fiction)
From Hazel Gaynor, the New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WHO CAME HOME, comes a historical novel inspired by true events, and the extraordinary female lighthouse keepers of the past 200 years.
THE REAL LOLITA: The Kidnapping of Sally Horner and the Novel That Scandalized the World by Sarah Weinman (True Crime/History)
Very few readers know that the subject of Vladimir Nabokov’s LOLITA was inspired by a real-life case: the 1948 abduction of 11-year-old Sally Horner. Weaving together suspenseful crime narrative, cultural and social history, and literary investigation, THE REAL LOLITA tells Sally Horner’s full story for the very first time.
THE SECRETS WE CARRIED: A Butternut Lake Novel by Mary McNear (Fiction)
A young woman travels home to Butternut Lake, confronting her past and the tragedy she and her friends have silently carried with them for over a decade while also facing an unknown future.
SHE WOULD BE KING by Wayétu Moore (Historical Fiction/Magicial Realism)
Wayétu Moore’s powerful debut novel --- Sarah Jessica Parker's newest ALA Book Club Central pick --- reimagines the dramatic story of Liberia’s early years through three unforgettable characters who share an uncommon bond.
WHEN THE MEN WERE GONE by Marjorie Herrera Lewis (Historical Fiction)
In Marjorie Herrera Lewis’ debut historical novel, the inspiring true story of high school teacher Tylene Wilson --- a woman who surprises everyone as she breaks with tradition to become the first high school football coach in Texas --- comes to life.
WHITE DANCING ELEPHANTS: Stories by Chaya Bhuvaneswar (Fiction/Short Stories)
In 16 remarkable stories, Chaya Bhuvaneswar spotlights diverse women of color --- cunning, bold and resolute --- facing sexual harassment and racial violence, and occasionally inflicting that violence on each other.
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL by Sarah Vaughan (Thriller)
Part courtroom suspense, part portrait of a marriage, ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL is a riveting portrayal of privilege, power and the perception of truth in a novel where everyone’s motives are suspect.
MERRY AND BRIGHT by Debbie Macomber (Romance)
Christmas is the season of the heart, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber is here to warm yours with a delightful holiday novel of first impressions and second chances.
This Month's Poll: Which of September’s
“Most Popular Book Group Selections” Have You Read,
or Will You Read, with Your Group?
Which of the books that appeared on our Top 15 list of "Most Popular Book Group Selections" for September have you read, or do you plan to read, with your group? Please check all that apply.
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THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn
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AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE by Tayari Jones
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BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate
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BENEATH A SCARLET SKY by Mark Sullivan
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EDUCATED: A Memoir, by Tara Westover
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ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman
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A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by Amor Towles
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THE GREAT ALONE by Kristin Hannah
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KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann
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LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng
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LOVE AND OTHER CONSOLATION PRIZES by Jamie Ford
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ORDINARY GRACE by William Kent Krueger
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PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee
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A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith
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WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens
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None of these
Click here to vote in the poll by Wednesday, November 7th at noon ET.
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