Suggestions for our next book group read, please.

[mugglewump]

As book group host it's my turn to choose our next read, and I am looking for suggestions/inspiration.

We have recently read Mrs Benson's Beetle, Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Mad Woman's Ball, Yellow Face and Butter (which wasn't liked as much).

Please hit me with any ideas of titles we might like. TIA.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Really good, not too long and lots to talk about.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-My-Mothers-heart-breaking-Costa-shortlisted/dp/0008410623?ie=UTF8&tag=hydrukspg-21&hvadid=719417711942&hvpos=&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9067178306051988370&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_3f0tmelaon_e&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=170683666018&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=719417711942&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9067178306051988370&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046363&hvtargid=dsa-1595363597442&hydadcr=&mcid=&gad_source=1&dplnkId=6bdf96c1-8918-4dff-b466-32ebd495b78a All My Mothers. Really loved this book when we discussed it at book group. We've recently read most of the books you list, and yes, Butter was not as well received as Remarkably Bright Creatures or Yellowface

. The Secret of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan
The Household.by Stacey Halls
The Dictionary of Lost Words
The Bookbinders of Jericho both by Pip Williams.
Maybe,Perhaps,Possibly by Joanna Glen

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin - sweet, funny, sad, moving, life-affirming. It left a lasting impression on me, plenty of talking points.

The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence - as above, another tale of unlikely friendship (I seem to like these!). Moments of wry humour, a moral quandary, beautifully written - plenty to discuss.

Saltblood by Francesca De Tores. Loosely based on the lives of two female pirates, the historical language and research seemed authentic, it was convincing to me, I felt transported back in time. I found it a genuinely captivating adventure, at times almost poetic - it was my best read of 2024 😉

https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/anwen-john/the-canterbury-cullings

Great read. My book group loved it.

It’s quite a hard read and a really emotive topic but “ Saving Noah” by Lucinda Berry is a really good book. Lots to discuss I would imagine

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Our last book was Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. It was very much enjoyed.

The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods. Covers climate change, over tourism, DV and family relationships and is beautiful to read.

Weyward Emilia Hart
The Nightingale Kristen Hannah
After the end Claire Mackintosh

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Three Hours - Rosemary Lupton

A classic such as Wuthering Heights, Pride and prejudice, Oliver Twist etc

I’ve just read the lost passenger by Frances Quinn. Was brilliant!

Conclave by Robert Harris, fast paced, gripping, timely! A great read, you won't be disappointed.

Good choice and relevant ! We read it in our book club a while back.

Maggie O Farrell
Hamnet
The Marriage Portrait
I am I am I am

Any of those. In fact anything by her, beautiful writer.

Currently listening to Alex Woods, very funny laugh out loud book, funny books are hard to find.

I’ve just finished “There are Rivers in the Sky” by Elif Shafa and it was a fantastic, beautifully written book. Loads of areas for discussion - can’t recommend it enough.

We’ve done lots of your entries and are currently on Consider Yourself Kissed - I’d say on a par with Remarkably bright creatures and Strange Sally Diamond. I couldn’t put it down. Lots to discuss about family, motherhood, patriarchy, politics.

Elizabeth is Missing was really popular in our book club as was Elinor Oliphant.

‘The Island of Sea Women’ by Lisa See, was a real crowd pleaser recently for our group and we all learnt some fascinating stuff we knew nothing about along the way!

Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Elsewhere by gabrielle zelvin

The List of Suspicious Things by Jenny Godfrey

Godmersham park by Gill Hornby. currently our book club choice. It’s quite good - I’ve only just started it.

James. By Percival Everett