My aunt has kindly shared her book club’s list of books for the year. I thought it would be fun to pass the information along. There’s a nice mix of fiction and nonfiction, so perhaps this list of book club books will help you find your next read!
Read on for brief descriptions of each book. I have read three of them, and they were all excellent! I was able to find them on my Libby app. There are others on this list I would like to read, but the wait is rather long at my library.
Twelve book club books
The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
Amazon rating: 4.4 stars Goodreads rating: 4.1 stars
Neurologist Oliver Sacks presents a collection of case studies of patients with perceptual and intellectual disorders. They may have lost their memories, or perhaps they’re unable to identify people or everyday objects. Dr. Sacks shares these stories with a depth of compassion and understanding. The title is based on a man with visual agnosia, which is characterized by an inability to recognize faces or objects.
The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra
Amazon rating: 4.3 stars Goodreads rating: 4.2 stars
This is a love story spanning years of conflict between India and Pakistan. The growing relationship between a perfumer’s apprentice and a calligrapher’s apprentice is ravaged by the turmoil of the time. The book is filled with detailed descriptions of the ancient arts they practice, so this is a great opportunity to learn about special niches within culture and history. The author paints a beautiful picture of family life in Lahore.
I’ve read this book, and I loved it. I learned so much about the time of the Partition, and I enjoyed the intimate glimpses of what life was like in that part of the world. A wonderful story.
Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter
Amazon rating: 4.8 stars Goodreads rating: 3.9 stars
As president, Jimmy Carter negotiated a peace deal between Israel and Egypt. Since his presidency, he has remained interested in affairs in the Middle East. He knows many of the leaders and has visited the area many times. In this book he shares his perspective on what must happen in order for there to be peace in the Holy Land without apartheid or terrorism.
Into the Forest: A Holocaust Story of Survival, Triumph, and Love by Rebecca Frankel
Amazon rating: 4.6 stars Goodreads rating: 4.3 stars
Set in Poland during WWII, this is the inspiring true story of the Rabinowitz family’s escape to the Bialowieza Forest. Their miraculous story is filled with different types of danger. Eventually, they immigrate to the United States and reconnect with someone from the past.
I had to read this book. It’s an incredible story. The focus is the Rabinowitz family, with details from both sides of the family over several generations. Interwoven with their story is a detailed history of Judaism in Poland, plus accounts of many of the other families hiding with them. I never knew that roughly half of the Jews killed in WWII were Polish. Strongly recommend!
A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan
Amazon rating: 4.7 stars Goodreads rating: 4.4 stars
The gripping tale of D.C. Stephenson, who served as Grand Dragon of the Indiana KKK in the 1920s. He cunningly spread his influence across the country until the deathbed testimony of Madge Oberholtzer finally brought him down. I plan to read this one!
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Amazon rating: 4.6 stars Goodreads rating: 4.5 stars
Set in India between 1900 and 1977, this book covers three generations of a family with a strange tie to water. Learn about medical progress, relationships, and hardship through the experiences of this interesting family. This book comes with a strong recommendation from my aunt!
I’ve been meaning to read it for a long time, and I finally did. It’s incredible. An intricately woven story full of tragedy, anguish, and loss. I found one quote in the book that really sums it up: “What defines a family isn’t blood but the secrets they share.”
Empress of the Nile by Lynne Olson
Amazon rating: 4.6 stars Goodreads rating: 4.3 stars
The remarkable true story of French archaeologist Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt, who spearheaded the international effort to save ancient Egyptian temples from flooding in the 1960s. They had to dismantle and rebuild the sandstone structures away from danger. The book chronicles her career and how she orchestrated the preservation efforts in Egypt.
The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected the World and Globalization Began by Valerie Hansen
Amazon rating: 4.3 stars Goodreads rating: 3.7 stars
Yale historian Valerie Hansen presents decades-long research indicating there was a significant sharing of cultures and ideas by the end of the first millennium. With careful attention to detail, she opens our eyes to very early events and conflicts. We often attribute the beginning of globalization to the time around Columbus’ voyage, but Hansen makes a strong case for a much earlier time frame.
The Last Honest Man by James Risen
Amazon rating: 4.3 stars Goodreads rating: 4.1 stars
James Risen tells the story of Senator Frank Church from Idaho, who investigated abuses of power in our intelligence community. He discovered assassination plots, links between the Kennedy family and the mafia, and problems faced by civil rights activists. The senator’s earthshattering revelations are highlighted in this carefully researched book. As an Idaho native, I remember learning about Frank Church in school. This book serves as a timely reminder of the need to protect our democracy.
The Wager by David Grann
Amazon rating: 4.5 stars Goodreads rating: 4.2 stars
The British ship Wager washed up on a Brazilian coast in January of 1742. Thirty crew members survived to tell their harrowing tale. However, six months later, three more survivors arrived in a cobbled-together vessel in Chile with a conflicting story. The Admiralty convened a high-stakes court marshal to piece together what really happened. A gripping story by David Grann!
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Amazon rating: 4.6 stars Goodreads rating: 4.4 stars
This is book two in the four-book Thursday Murder Club series. An old friend seeks the club’s help because he’s been falsely accused of diamond theft. They’re all chased by villains who are willing to kill for the diamonds; they have to be extremely clever to keep a few steps ahead. The waiting list for this book at my library is very long!
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields
Amazon rating: 4.2 stars Goodreads rating: 3.9 stars
This classic won a Pulitzer prize. It’s a fictional autobiography of Daisy Goodwill Flett distinguished by its richly detailed descriptions of Daisy’s thoughts and feelings. Her reflections center around the tragedies and losses that marked her life, beginning with the death of her mother at Daisy’s birth.
Has one of these book club books piqued your interest?
Are you part of a book club? What books would you add to the list? What is your favorite type of book to read? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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I just finished Empress of the Nile, it wasn’t my favorite.
I skipped through some of the technical stuff. Although everyone loved it in my group.
I guess there’s something for everyone, but most people probably won’t like all of them. Thanks so much for sharing the list!!
This is such a fantastic list! I’m always looking for new book club recommendations, and these suggestions are perfect.
Wonderful, thank you! This list certainly has a lot of different options.
Thanks a lot for sharing these book recommendations! Very helpful! At least two of these drew my attention: The Book of Everlasting Things and The Covenant of Water.
Those caught my eye right away too! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I love all these great reading suggestions. I’m always looking to find my next good list for the book club!
Me too! I like the variety in this list.
Thank you for these great book club book ideas! I have not read any of them. I can tell from your descriptions that they would inspire interesting discussions. I’ll have to add them to my list of books to read.
You’re welcome, Lisa! I hope you find something you like.