Looking for a universally pleasing book (that will appeal to a range of people)

[bloodyhairy]

Hi. My sister is a teacher; Head of Department in a secondary school. She is aware that certain teachers - mainly those who live alone - are struggling a bit at this time, and she is looking to set up a sort of virtual social committee.
As part of this, she'd like to form a book group for those who'd like to join in. She has asked for my help in choosing their first title. It would have to be a book that would appeal to both genders, a wide-ish age range, from professor types to non-bookish, outdoorsy types.
Having had long Covid, I'm a bit out of touch with reading, as I can't focus on much more than Netflix currently!
I'm thinking a 'safe' bet, something that is either a bit upbeat in this current climate, or else very gripping.
Any ideas?
Thanks 

It’s a long book, but I’ve never known anyone who disliked, “The Count Of Monte Cristo”

On the 50 books thread I can't think of anyone who has read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer & not commented positively. It's an account of the 1997 Everest disaster, & it's incredibly gripping and also really makes you feel like you're there on the mountain, I think it'd be a great distracting read just now.

Also on those threads, almost everyone raves about This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson which is a novel about the voyage of the Beagle. I actually gave up on it, but I think I was very busy at the time & not really in the mood - again I reckon it'd appeal to a wide range of tastes, and be a good lockdown mental escape read

Non-fiction (memoir):
Educated by Tara Westover

Fiction:
A Man Called Ove

I'd suggest a poetry evening for the first one. Everyone brings a poem to read and talk about. Requires less prep than reading a book, but equally intellectually stimulating. Then the group can pick the first book together.

I'd suggest Piranesi by Susanna Clarke as a first book.
It's quite short, so the group wouldn't have to wait very long before their first get together, and it would help to draw in people who, for whatever reason, were slow readers.
It's beautifully written.
It isn't any particular genre or style, but a mix of Detective Story, Magical Realism, Stream of Consciousness to name a few.
On one level, it's about an individual dealing with isolation, so very pertinent.
There are several avenues for discussion.
It has an almost uplifting ending!

@Sadik

Also on those threads, almost everyone raves about This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson which is a novel about the voyage of the Beagle. I actually gave up on it, but I think I was very busy at the time & not really in the mood - again I reckon it'd appeal to a wide range of tastes, and be a good lockdown mental escape read

I wouldn't recommend it in the circumstances, although I love it and have been bullying everybody on the 50 Books threads into reading it for years! It takes a big commitment and isn't particularly easy going, and I know a lot of people are struggling with reading right now, let alone those who might not be big readers generally. It's also got a very unhappy ending.

I'm struggling to think of anything that would have universal appeal, but I think you should go for something lightweight, or something classic and easy like an Agatha Christie or Wodehouse.

@leafinthewind

I'd suggest a poetry evening for the first one. Everyone brings a poem to read and talk about. Requires less prep than reading a book, but equally intellectually stimulating. Then the group can pick the first book together.

This is a nice idea.