This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks. I don’t have too much experience with in-person book clubs, and I suspect the hardest part is agreeing on a book to read as a group. I think that book club books should appeal to people with varied reading taste, come from a mix of genres, be easily available or affordable so that everyone is able to read it, be a realistic length so that everyone has a chance to finish it, and have an interesting theme that sparks discussion.
I ended up picking several books that are slated for upcoming film adaptations, figuring there are probably others out there that would like to read the book before checking out the movie version.
In no particular order these are books I think would make great book club choices:
1. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – This thought provoking illustrated book is told in a creative way that should make for a good discussion.
2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys- I just finished this historical fiction book, and the story is heartbreaking and well written with many discussion points.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – This one fills the new release spot, and is one that is of course extremely popular right now. I included it because when I read it I wished I had someone to discuss it with.
4. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – Can you believe it’s the 50th anniversary of this book? It’s a good time to revisit this classic.
5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore – Since Bitterblue, the final book in the Seven Kingdom series is coming out in May, why not catch up with the first book? This is a great offering for fans of fantasy books.
6. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – It’s been many years since I’ve read this, but people may want to reread it or check it out for the first time before the movie comes out in December.
7. Legend by Marie Lu – It was very tempting to list The Hunger Games as the dystopian pick, and I do think that is an excellent book club choice. But, for another option I submit Legend, one that’s not quite as popular as The Hunger Games. It’s a thrilling book with great characters, and those of us in Los Angeles will enjoy reading about what’s happened to the local landmarks.
8. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley – I haven’t read this one yet, but it just won the 2012 William C. Morris award, so I imagine that many people will want to pick it up.
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – This is one with crossover appeal to YA and Adult Fiction readers and has a magical story. It’s also headed to the big screen at some point.
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – This one is also going to be released in theaters soon, and stars Emma Watson. I chose this book because people seem to have extreme reactions to it that should bring about a lively discussion.
Loved Graceling but I just could not read The Hobbit – I hated the writing style.
Great picks, though! A lot of them are on my TBR!
Excellent choices! I still need to read The Fault in Our Stars and Where Things Come Back! I plan to read them soon though. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is such a good one! I somehow forgot to include it.
My Top Ten Tuesday
Love this list. I absolutely loved Graceling, and have A Monster Calls on my list too. A few other books I want to read as well.
I’ve read 5 of the choices, and a bunch of the other ones are on my to-read list. I’m really, really looking forward to the Wallflower movie adaptation, but I’m also super nervous about it.
I went back and forth for a while over The Perks of Being a Wallflower for my list… In the end I figured I didn’t want to open that can of worms! Great list, as usual!
My book club just finished reading “the Hunger Games”. The senior members of the group really didn’t like the subject matter and were dismayed that it was so popular with teens. They did admit that the story held their interest and was very exciting. We definitely had an excellent discussion.
I have read or purchased many of the titles you have listed… primarily due to your recommendations.
Aw, thanks!
That is interesting about The Hunger Games at your book club. Glad it provided a great discussion and that the readers stuck with the book even though it wasn’t their normal cup of tea.
The Fault in Our Stars got optioned for film today! But Looking For Alaska’s been “in production” for YEARS, so that’s not really saying much.
The Fault in Our Stars is plastered on the blogosphere today. I have to read it now! Night Circus is a great addition to the list. Thanks for all of your suggestions.
-FABR Steph@FiveAlarmBookReviews
My Top Ten…
Soooo many good books, Lucy! I loved Legend, so I think that’s a great choice, and Graceling is such a great fantasy that I think would be easily digestible compared to some others (like Game of Thrones, for example). Plus it’s awesome, so that’s a bonus.
I really wish that I could have had a book club talk about A Monster Calls because it was AMAZING and heartbreaking, and I wanted to talk to people about how much I cried, lol.
And I need to read Between Shades of Gray and The Fault In Our Stars, but my heart is semi-permanently broken right now from all the sad I’ve been reading, and I need a break!!
I plan to add Graceling to my book club’s list of nominees. (We either vote via an online poll OR vote in-person via raised hands at monthly Get-Togethers.)
We read and LOVED The Hunger Games.
Would reading Legend by Marie Lu prove disappointing by comparison?
Enjoying this blog!
Hi Liz, thanks for stopping by! Hope that your book club gets a chance to read Graceling.
I think The Hunger Games is in a league of it’s own and many dystopians fall short by comparison. But, if the group is hungry for more YA dystopia, Legend has a lot to offer. I’d also suggest Divergent by Veronica Roth. Both of them are in film development.
Happy reading!
I’ll check out Divergent, too. Thanks so much, Lucy!
I’ve heard such good things about The Night Circus! I need to read it soon, if there is movie rumors! 🙂
Great picks. I’m definitely going to check out Legend. Can’t really imagine Emma Watson in Perks of Being a Wallflower, though. Is she playing Sam?
Yes, Emma Watson is playing Sam. Wallflower does have a pretty interesting cast. Hope you enjoy Legend!