My girlfriends and I have always talked about starting a book club, but for one reason or another, nothing ever manifested from those discussions. That is…. until about 6 months ago. After too many glasses of wine, we picked our first book and decided to officially start our book club. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go; I imagined us reading one book then switching to just a wine club- sounds about right for most book clubs, right? However, I’m pleased to say that we have actually made it quite a serious little book club: we all bring book suggestions with descriptions for the next book, we vote on the next book, pick the next time/date/location for the book club meeting and then we discuss the book we’ve read with actual discussion questions. Granted we always do have a lot of wine and food, but still… Total nerd status, right?!
I love it, though! It feels good to have a book that I “need” to read, otherwise I’m often going to choose blogging or catching up on social media instead of reading, which is totally bad! Because I have a book that I know I need to read by a certain date, as well as knowing that friends are also reading the book, I’m held accountable for finishing the book. I used to read all the time, but somehow in the past handful of years other things have just replaced my reading time, which is sad!
Here’s the list of books we’ve read thus far- you’ll notice that they vary in genre, which I think is a key aspect of book club: we should be reading things that interest us, but also things that we might not normally read. I’m a sucker for romantic fiction stories, but book club has encouraged me to read some really awesome books totally opposite of that.
- The One and Only- Emily Giffin- I was “meh” about this book. It was a very quick and easy read, but parts of it were kind of annoying, mostly the main character. I’ve read all of Emily Giffin’s books and this was definitely not one of the best.
- Sharp Objects- Gillian Flynn- WOW was this book intense! I had read Gone Girl and Dark Places, but this might have been the most twisted of them all. Definitely a great book, especially if you’re into a crazy story line.
- Not That Kind Of Girl– Lena Dunham- This was a biography (kind of) and if you’re a fan on Lena Dunham (on Girls), you might like it more than I did. I just couldn’t relate to the book and was bored by her stories. It was a hard book to discuss at book club, too.
- Unbroken– Laura Hillenbrand- Amazing, amazing book and real-life story. What Louie endured throughout WWII is incredible. I will say it’s a bit of an intense read and it’s long, but I HIGHLY suggest reading it!
Since Unbroken was such an intense story, we decided to scale it back and read something a little easier. Enter Jodi Picoult’s new book: Leaving Time. I’ve read a lot of Jodi Picoult books and always love how you never really know what’s going to happen at the end. I can’t wait to start reading it!
We’ve got a number of other books on the lineup, but I’d love to get some suggestions from all of you! What’s a book you’ve read recently that you think would be good for book club? What kind of genre do you prefer? Have you read any of these books? Have you ever been in a book club?
Burpees to Bubbly 
The Secret History by Donna Tartt will give you a lot to discuss if you haven’t read it
Ohh, interesting. I have to check it out and bring it as a suggestion!
I’m a huge dork when it comes to reading.
Now that the Thomas Crane Library is walking distance from my house, I check out books often.
Oh that’s great- you’re so lucky to have a nice library close!
We have had at ours so far the Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society and The Book of you. Would recommend also the historian, swan thieves and the rosie project.
I haven’t heard of any of those but will check them out. thanks!
Hi Nick, I had only read just over half of the book UNBROKEN, when my friends and I “crashed” your bookclub (we did bring good eats and wine!!), but I totally enjoyed the discussion of the book–I did finish it on the second snow day in a row! I can’t wait to see the movie–Dad is now going to read it too. Mom
I’m so glad you ladies came! Interested to see what dad thinks of the book.
Umm….you went with Jodi Piccoult for less intense?!
I have read all of the books you listed except Not That Kind of Girl.
hahaha, good point, Kim! Her books do tend to be intense- oops! Not that kind of girl isn’t worth reading so you didn’t miss out 🙂
I highly recommend That Night by Chevy Stevens. It was an awesome book. 🙂
Awesome! I will have to check it out. thank you!
Love that you girls do book club…I wish I lived closer, I’d love to do it!! I just finished Elin Hildebrand’s Winter Street and I loved it. Definitely recommend, it would be a great discussion in book club for sure!
you live a lot closer than some of the girls 🙂 But I get that it’s hard to plan on that stuff. I love Elin Hildebrand- I’ll have to check it out!
I’ve always wanted to join a book club! One of these days I might actually find a local one I’m interested in.
I finished reading the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness, it was so good!
It’s really been so fun- You should just start one! My friends have really gotten into it:) Thanks for the suggestion!