perfect book for new book club

[brainfoggg]

Hello, I'm starting a new book club for a group of mums in my area.
I need to pick the first book and I want it to be a brilliant one to get us started. Something not too long, in paperback, not too demanding, inclusive, that will generate good chat.

Any ideas please share.

Still Life

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

A Terrible Kindness - Jo
Browning Wroe. Just released in paperback and I believe it has a set of suggested questions for book clubs in the back pages.

Wonderful novel, lots of layers and great for discussing.

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley.

The Colour Purple
Precious Bane
Beloved
Shuggie Bain
Educated -Tara Westover
The power of the Dog

Look them up for plot synopsis. All well written and thought provoking. Precious Bane is my favourite.

Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
and I second Still Life by Sarah Winman and Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

All have lots to discuss

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce has some really good book group questions and discussion points at the back

I think still life could be a winner. Thanks fr=or the suggestions, some other ones here I hadn't heard of so will add to my TBR.

Three Hours - Rosemary Lupton - good bookclub choice, provoked a lot of discussion in our group

American Grit - another good choice, but very long book

I've nearly finished 'A Terrible Kindness' no questions in the back of my copy.

It's the book this month at the library reading group.

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers or Small Things like These by Claire Keegan.

Still Life is great but quite long, may be a bit off-putting especially if people aren't used to reading much. The Claire Keegan is novella length so good to make sure people do read it. Small Pleasures is just lovely, everyone I know who's read it has enjoyed it.

I agree with Small Pleasures, there is so much in it to talk about, despite it being so short.

Eleanor Oliphant. One of the books we enjoyed the most.

The Secrets of Strangers - Charity Norman
So good and much to discuss imo

I’d suggest Prince Harry’s new book, but maybe you don’t want to start with a bun fight 😂

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason is a really lovely book and lots to discuss I think too