I'm gearing up for our book club meeting tomorrow night where we will discuss The Great Gatsby, among other things. If I'm being real honest, we spend about 15 minutes discussing the book of the month - a fast and furious discussion of our likes, dislikes, and things that left us pondering - and then we move on to discussing life. This formula works for us.
I wanted to thank you all again for the many wonderful book recommendations that were given in the comments of this post, and I wanted to highlight them here. As I mentioned before, I'm writing them all down and letting the book club group vote on which one we should read. I will share the outcome on Friday. In the meantime, here's the list of recommendations:
- Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (suggested by Lauren of Still + Life)
- Suite Francais by Irene Nemirovsky (suggested by Erin of I Like / Want / Need)
- The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe (suggested by Erin of Such Small Steps, including the next two)
- This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
- Cloud Atlas by
Liam CallananDavid Mitchell - Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (suggested by Joy of Frock Files, including the next three)
- The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
- Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia
- The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry
Aside from the people who made the initial recommendation, have you read any of these suggestions? Feel free to share your thoughts.
PS~If you're looking for recommendations that will help with inertia, Noreen suggested Redirect and Tina and Sam suggested John Williams' 30-day challenge, all of which sound very intriguing.
quote by Helen Keller
I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but I loved Unaccustomed Earth. I'll read anything she writes. Especially as the wife of a first gen-American! I've read a couple others on the list, but you've given me some new names too, and that's always exciting. Have fun at your book club! I can't wait to hear how it goes and what you guys decide. I never managed to hook up with a good book club, but someday, someday....
ReplyDeleteI love your bookshelf! Glad to see I'm not the only one neurotic about organizing everything :) Yours looks way better than mine, I love that stack of magazines at the bottom, too. Good luck with your book club and can't wait to hear which suggestion you went with. You can't go wrong with Junot Diaz, either, if I get a vote :) xo
ReplyDeleteIs that your bookshelf? My oh my it's very organized. I have read Suite Francais, Unaccustomed Earth and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I have to say, out of those three, I really like Unaccustomed Earth because I really like how Jhumpa Lahiri writes and the subject matter she addresses as well. She just writes so delicately
ReplyDeleteMy book club read Elegance of the Hedgehog and everyone liked it a lot. Rules of Civility was one of my favorite books last year- if you liked Gatsby you should read that soon. They pair well together.
ReplyDeleteI actually meant The Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (movie coming out soon w/Tom Hanks and Halle Berry!). I'm about 3/4 through it. It's not an easy read but it's very thought-provoking.
I just saw a preview for the "Cloud Atlas" and it looked super interesting. I'd consider reading it knowing that usually the books are better than the films.
ReplyDeleteHello lovely T. I read Rules of Civility on Madam Lauren's recommendation and have to say I didn't like it! (Soz Lauren!). I found it a poor relation to Douglas Kennedy's Pursuit of Happiness, one of my favourite ever books. But I did like him being called Tinker as thats what my dad used to call us when we were little.
ReplyDeleteyou might be interested in this post: http://bit.ly/Ty3h8p
xx
I think my comment disappeared! :(
ReplyDeleteSorry, E! There were a handful of posts sitting in the queue on Disqus awaiting approval. Disqus has actually been making this a habit, so I should learn to check it more often. (Note to self.) Thanks for letting me know.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I just read that link you provided and that is such a great idea for a meet up/book club! I might have to snag it. I'm sure LLG won't mind. :)
ReplyDeleteGeez, I must be the last to know that Tom Hanks and Halle Berry together in a movie adaptation of this book. I will definitely look into it.
ReplyDeleteDoh, my apologies, Erin. What are the chances that there a two books with the exact same name...Evidently a lot! This is the first that I'm hearing about this book and its film adaptation starring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. Where have I been? Thank you for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAh, very good to know.
ReplyDeleteRooth, I think Erin (Such Small Steps) may read as much as you do. You should check out her blog. I think you would appreciate her book recommendations.
Thanks, L! So glad this list is mutually beneficial. Let the cozy, fall reading begin!
ReplyDeletePS~Lauren, I can see you starting your own book club. ;)
Wait, I thought everyone's book shelves looked like that. :) Anyway, thank you. The book shelf is one of four in the house, and it lives in the master bedroom, where I keep all my favorites. In the post, I meant to add "please don't judge my reading habits by those Twilight books." Ha!
ReplyDeletei think your formula sounds absolutely perfect. i am reading 'the night circus', but i'm not far enough in to know what it's like. i'll let you know soonish... it does have a great cover though :) xx
ReplyDeleteI must say I'm not a huge fan of book clubs but can see the attraction. I'm sure that any of the suggestions will make for an intersting read and as you already mentioned, most time is spent nattering about life;) sounds like a good thing to me...
ReplyDeleteHa. Why am I not surprised to see a 'perfectly ordered' bookshelf???? I am also happy to read it's one out of four...
I might fancy a book salon, a monthly event where people bring books to share and exchange with each other. Each month, someone will lead the discussion based on one particular book and give it a theme. Then the brainstorming and discuusions would start. I'll gladly join one of those.... nice post!
i'm keeping those bookmarked! xo Teri
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations! Sounds a lot like the book club I belong to--we discuss the book for all of 15 minutes or so, then sip wine the talk husbands, boyfriends, babies and celeb goings-on for the rest of the evening.
ReplyDeleteI just finished A Thousand Splendid Sons and Cutting for Stone, both great reads.
Check out Liberty London Girl's post about book clubs - exactly what you've just said!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful book club meeting! I'm going to look the books you recommended :)
ReplyDelete