Welcome back to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met and well-read. Let’s dive in.
This newsletter is sponsored by Monica Hesse’s American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land, from Liveright Publishing.
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the New York Times, NPR, Amazon, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, Bustle, NYLON, and Thrillist.
The arsons started on a cold November evening and didn’t stop for months. Night after night, the people of desolate Accomack County waited to see which abandoned building would burn down next, regarding each other at first with compassion, and later suspicion. Monica Hesse spent years investigating the story, emerging with breathtaking portraits of the arsonists and their community. American Fire captures a rural county in flames, gutted long before the fires began.
Happy Pride month! To kick things off, here’s a list of queer women of color you should definitely consider adding to your reading schedule.
Book group bonus: Here is where I pitch The Salt Roads to you all; that book knocked my socks off, and it’s got multiple timelines and POV as well as being gorgeously written and hugely compelling — it’s ideal book club material, is what I’m saying.
It’s also Ramadan, for around another week, so here are some reads by Muslim authors to consider!
Book group bonus: I just want everyone to read ALL the books on this list, honestly.
Announcing Oprah’s newest book pick! The Oprah Book Club pick is The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, with Lara Love Hardin.
Book group bonus: Did you know that Oprah’s Book Club was on a two year hiatus, and returned in it’s 2.0 form in 2012? The continuing evolution of OBC is, to my mind, one of the most interesting book club stories out there.
Want to dive into “what if”s? Here are some alternate histories to consider for your next meeting.
Book group bonus: In addition to discussing how plausible/interesting the scenario in your chosen book might be, you could also have a rousing round of “here’s the ‘what if’ I wish someone would write!”
Highly scientific and definitive: Emily picked the 10 best mystery authors of all time.
Book group bonus: You could probably spend an entire meeting just arguing about the inclusion/exclusion of authors on this list (particularly JK Rowling)!
So meta: NPR tagged along with a book club that went to see Book Club!
Book group bonus: This just cracked me up. Listen/read with your group and tag yourself, I’m Unidentified Person #4.
Need some book club presents? Here’s a roundup; those wine glass charms are PERFECT if you’ve got a beverage-oriented group.
Award winners for your consideration: The Nebulas and the Audie Awards have both been announced!
Book group bonus: While your group might generally split between audio listeners and print readers, consider doing a print AND audio discussion of a single title. Does the audio add anything to the print experience? Is one easier to follow than the other?
And don’t forget to enter our $500 gift card giveaway to your favorite bookstore!
That’s a wrap: Happy discussing! If you’re interested in more science fiction and fantasy talk, you can catch me and my co-host Sharifah on the SFF Yeah! podcast. For many many more book recommendations (including the occasional book club question!) you can find me on the Get Booked podcast with the inimitable Amanda.
Your fellow booknerd,
Jenn
More Resources:
– Our Book Group In A Box guide
– List your group on the Book Group Resources page