Any ideas for books for a reading group please?

Yes, I enjoyed that, Greatnan. Suite francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is wonderful.

I read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet years ago and found it excellent for discussion at meetings you end up feeling that you are there in the 12th century and helping to build the monestries.

Thanks GrandmaH for the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
suggestion; I'm SO enjoying it

I think The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan would make for a very lively book-club debate! Also, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Small Hours by Susie Boyt. You can check out my reviews of the books on Amazon if that helps?

---The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
---The New Leader by Daniel Goleman
---A Year Doing Good by Judith O.Reiley

The Casual Vacancy J K Rowling, had mixed reviews, I didn't have any preconceived ideas about her writing I never wanted to read Harry Potter, nevertheless in my opinion this book was a good read, quite a lot of bad language but I didn't think that detracted from the story.

Just enjoyed the Unlikely Pilgimage of Harold Fry. Also Donna Leon Jewels of Paradise.I like foreign writers Qui Xialong lives in the US and writes about Shanghai mainly. The latest I've read is A Loyal Character Dancer.a local (north east ) writer is Eva Ibbotson. Amanda Craig in the ST called her feel good writing. Lots of charm and a bit soppy but very much bank up the fire open up the biscuit tin and cosy down into a deep arm chair.

First you want to consider what the group as a whole like to discuss because that is why you are in a reading group and want lively discussions when you meet. Are they interested in relationships or history or biographies of famous people? Joanna Trollopes books are an easy read and there is always a lot about relationships. Phillipa Gregory writes rather long historical novels about women we have mostly never heard much about and she also gives a framework for reading groups to keep to.

We have a planning meeting once a year. I take soundings and suggestions from the rest of the group and then go to the library and order a set of what I think most people would respond to. The latest choice is State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. We try to read a classic every so often so last month we had The Old Curiosity Shop which none of us had previously read. That occasioned quite a good discussion. Personally, I was just glad I had managed to avoid it at university! Not my favourite Dickens.

I have to admit this is my favourite thread on GN. it never fails to give me ideas on what to read next. There is no petty bickering - I love it.

I shall order State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I thoroughly enjoyed The Magician's Assistant also by her, but that was some years ago. Agood picture of life in Canada and the Northern States of America.
I love Ann Tyler as well. It is so refreshing to get a picture of the US which is not California, or Eastern States, money making and porno/ war films.
In Ann Tyler's novels, you meet up with quiet, well meaning, friendly Americans which I'm sure most are.

I am not a fan of Dickens either. I tried again with A Tale of Two Cities but gave it up.

Have we mentioned Me Before You by Jojo Moyes? That makes for some good discussions. Our group really enjoyed it.

I would recommend Great Expectations as a readable Dickens. Very atmospheric and much of it is still relevant today. Must put in a plug for C.J.Sansom's Tudor series, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. Another personal favourite is Donna Leon with her Commisario Brunetti series. Beautifully written detective novels set in Venice, with that rare creature - a happily married hero!

With my upbringing. It has to be

The Bible!

Actually there are some good stories in it if you regard it as mythology, rather than actual fact.



(That should set the cat amongst ad the pigeons!)

(Creeping away to bed)

I agree with you, Deedaa. I enjoy the Venetian detective books and, a happily married detective is such a contrast with other fictional sleuths - Rebus, Harry Hole and Harry Bosch, for example. The Sansom books are favourites of mine, but some of our book group didn't respond well. Not sure why.