Best Book Club Books

Book clubs are a great way to get connected with other readers and find more meaning in your favorite novels. It also introduces you to new material you’ve never read! There’s something about getting together with friends and discussing a novel that makes you feel wonderful. You feel sophisticated, for one thing, and you learn a lot more about yourself in the process. I love to talk to people about why I love a certain book, and maybe others can teach me something about it I didn’t already know! Some novels serve these purposes better than others, and there are lots of reasons why you should be careful what you choose for a book club reading. Here’s some good choices.

1.       Harry Potter – Most people either really like Harry, or really don’t. If you don’t, that’s okay, but keep in mind why he works so wonderfully in group reading. There’s lots of magic in the books, which is a topic people always love to fantasize over. There’s also loads of trivia – it’s a series with lots of little details. That’s great for book clubs because it provides lots of conversational topics. It’s also a long series, which means you’ll be supplied with material for a long time. And lastly, it’s got a great message. Harry Potter is all about the power of love, the importance of friendship, and the true meaning of bravery. These are lessons everyone has to learn, and why not discover them with The Boy Who Lived?

2.       James Patterson novels – It’s fun reading mysteries, crime novels, etc., because you always have the “who did it?” debate (until the end, of course). It’s fun trying to figure out who did what, who killed who…James Patterson really works for that. I like The Last Juror because it keeps you entertained without fraying your nerves too much.

3.       The Fountainhead – Most people will not like The Fountainhead, I’ll give you that. But there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most thought-provoking books ever written. Every single page, conversation, event, or person in the book has something to teach you. Whether or not you appreciate Ayn Rand’s (the author) philosophy, you can still learn loads from her books. It’s a really long one, so it will keep you supplied with reading material for a long time as well.

4.       Chick lit – I’m not a big fan of romance novels, and they certainly have no place in book clubs, but chick lit can be really good sometimes. I like City of Angels because it’s modern entertainment with a good story line. The same goes for Poor Little Bitch Girl because it’s got murder, heartbreak, love, drama, clothes, and everything else women seem to love. These kinds of books have that “ooh and ahh” factor. You and the girls can sit around fawning over the storyline and the hot guys in them.

5.       The classics – Classic stories are always great for reading in groups, partially because they provide a level of understanding you might not have been able to reach without other people. Old English is hard to understand, but reading older novels is easier when you have someone else to help you. Book clubs are great for that! It’s also easier to derive meaning from a classic in a group. Someone else might see a lesson where you didn’t, and you would’ve missed out on the point of the story, if not for your book club. I suggest The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. It’s a wonderful love/revenge/hate/thriller story for people of all ages. Other classics include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, Little Women, and Gone With the Wind.

I hope this list inspires you to pick up some new books! Reading is one of the greatest ways to learn, escape, and entertain yourself. If you don’t belong to a book club, start one! Call your friends, advertise on Facebook, and get ready for a great time!