Skadi Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 In our book club, names are drawn out of a hat and each member must suggest each month's book. The only condition is that the book must be a work of fiction. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what book I should choose, so I put it to you: if you could only choose one book to suggest to someone, what would it be? :bigear: Right now, I'm leaning toward Watership Down. I'd love to hear what one book you'd choose above all others! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Watership Down is wonderful. There is so much to discuss there, especially if you have anyone interested in or smart about politics or history. The book I recommend often when other women ask me what classic to read next is House of Mirth. It's timeless social criticism, so plenty to discuss there, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 The Help by Kathryn Stockett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I loved Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevski. A recent favorite is The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. I can't pick just one...there are so many more I could list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I find it to be a sad thing, that I cannot think of even one piece of fiction that I truly care about, right now. I could wax on, till someone's eyes glazed over, about a unending number of non-fiction books...but...fiction...not one can arouse the slightest bit of enthusiasm in me, at the moment. Sometimes I can momentarily lose myself in a picture book, but it's not a lasting infatuation, and most adults would have no interest in discussing a picture book with me. I feel like I should attempt to remedy this somehow, but don't know how. Good luck! I'm glad it is you and not me that needs to make the recommendation :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonNative Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Dandelion Summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 To Kill A Mockingbird If I can only pick one book, that's the one. (at least for today) ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 The Quincunx by Charles Palliser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Traveller by Richard Adams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauracolumbus Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 The Book Thief. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmom4 Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I would also recommend The Book Thief. Elise in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 To Kill A Mockingbird If I can only pick one book, that's the one. (at least for today) ;) Oh, yes. I pick thi sone instead! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I go with To Kill A Mockingbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimitoed Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 How about the Left Behind books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Fahrenheit 451, that's my one book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I find it to be a sad thing, that I cannot think of even one piece of fiction that I truly care about, right now. I could wax on, till someone's eyes glazed over, about a unending number of non-fiction books...but...fiction...not one can arouse the slightest bit of enthusiasm in me, at the moment. Sometimes I can momentarily lose myself in a picture book, but it's not a lasting infatuation, and most adults would have no interest in discussing a picture book with me. I feel like I should attempt to remedy this somehow, but don't know how. Good luck! I'm glad it is you and not me that needs to make the recommendation :-) Try Water for Elephants. Plain old good storytelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 My answer would depend on the flavor of the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I also need a book for a book group this summer. I want something fictional, with a woman protagonist...that is very uplifting...and not froo-froo. Nothing condemning, but maybe some introspection ok... Any ideas for us? Hope I am not hijacking, but thought we could both use the suggestions. Most of us already read many of the already mentioned suggestions. Anything new and exciting out there? Thanks,Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I also need a book for a book group this summer. I want something fictional, with a woman protagonist...that is very uplifting...and not froo-froo. Nothing condemning, but maybe some introspection ok... Any ideas for us? Hope I am not hijacking, but thought we could both use the suggestions. Most of us already read many of the already mentioned suggestions. Anything new and exciting out there? Thanks,Faithe The Secret Life of Bees. Not new and exciting, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. I would also second Watership Downs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I'm leaning toward suggesting The Moonstone for my book club, because I think we need to read a classic, but it's fast paced enough that people might actually read it. Previously, when we've tried classics, most folks didn't even bother to find a copy (well, except for Little Women, because they thought they remembered liking it when they were young, but I suspect they must have read an abridged version, because so few of them were able to get through the real thing.) Recently, they've also read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (which I thought started out well but kind of died when it became a romance) True Grit (because of the movie -- I haven't read it yet) The Year of Living Biblically (it's not fiction. I expected it to be kind of dumb and offensive, but I actually found it to be better than I thought.) Pope Joan (nice idea, but once again, killed by the romance aspects) The Elegance of the Hedgehog (I don't think anyone much cared for this one.) They have Anne of Green Gables up on the list next. It's supposed to be a light summer read. If it didn't have to be strictly fiction, you might try Out of Africa or West With the Night. (Both have women protagonists. ) Another option in the woman protagonist category might be My Antonia. The Woman Warrior is also interesting although not such a classic. Other books my kids have enjoyed over the past year that might spark discussion: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn The Once and Future King Father Brown mysteries No 1 Ladies Detective Agency The Red Tent And To Kill a Mockingbird. But a lot of people might have read that already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 "1984" might generate lots of discussion these days ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I also need a book for a book group this summer. I want something fictional, with a woman protagonist...that is very uplifting...and not froo-froo. Nothing condemning, but maybe some introspection ok... Any ideas for us? Hope I am not hijacking, but thought we could both use the suggestions. Most of us already read many of the already mentioned suggestions. Anything new and exciting out there? Thanks,Faithe Not new, but uplifting and not froo-froo: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 (edited) Not new, but uplifting and not froo-froo: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Hey, I just got a Golden book hardcover of this used at a library sale! I just read South of Superior. It was sort of interesting and not melodramatic or overwrought. I read Burmese Days by Orwell recently after reading the book Finding George Orwell in Burma. I recommend both. Edited July 17, 2011 by stripe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauracolumbus Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I also need a book for a book group this summer. I want something fictional, with a woman protagonist...that is very uplifting...and not froo-froo. Nothing condemning, but maybe some introspection ok... Any ideas for us? Hope I am not hijacking, but thought we could both use the suggestions. Most of us already read many of the already mentioned suggestions. Anything new and exciting out there? Thanks,Faithe Remarkable Creatures Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauracolumbus Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Hey, I just got a Golden book hardcover of this used at a library sale! I just read South of Superior. It was sort of interesting and not melodramatic or overwrought. I read Burmese Days by Orwell recently after reading the book Finding George Orwell in Burma. I recommend both. I just reserved South of Superior based on a review in our paper. I'm looking forward to it. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelAR05 Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 For OP, I would pick East of Eden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiKC Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - SO GOOD!!! I just love, love this book. Told through letters about the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII. Fascinating, funny, touching, great characters (some quirky/hilarious), their relationships with each other and the invaders. It seems sort of like light reading, even though the topic really isn't. Right now I'm watching Masterpiece Theatre's Island At War, same topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I would choose Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 If it didn't have to be strictly fiction, you might try Out of Africa or West With the Night. (Both have women protagonists. ) Yes, and both women share the same lover (though being in different parts of Africa they don't really cross paths themselves). That Denis got around. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in Mint Hill Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky or.... Oh! ....just one???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry for a big engrossing read. Silas Marner by George Elliot for a slim and charming read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Small Island by Andrea Levy is pretty interesting too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevilla Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - simply one of the loveliest works of fiction I have read in several years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 One of my all-time favorite books is The Waiting Years, by Fumiko Enchi. I have never been in a book club but I could imagine this book working well in that context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-M- Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 The Housekeeper and the Professor (Yoko Ogawa) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 The Housekeeper and the Professor (Yoko Ogawa) Oh! Yes! This is fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 For a good discussion: Tess of the D'urbervilles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 (edited) One book...hmm...do you think they would be interested in something like The Grapes of Wrath? Too depressing? What sort of books has the club read in the past? Looking for modern classics? What about The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty? Song of the Lark by Willa Cather? For the second poster looking for lighter, upbeat summer books: The Lottery (not the short story) by Patricia Wood. www.lotterythebook.com/ I also tend towards light summer reads this time of year, and in the heat I am espeically drawn to novels about southern women. :) Garden Spells, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, The Girl Who Chased Away Sorow, Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen, The Sugar Queen etc. ;) :D Edited July 19, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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