The Book Blab Episode 18: Book Clubs Part 2

Hey guys! Amy and I found time in between summer trips to sit down and talk some more books together. If you didn't see our last episode (#17, Part 1 of our discussion on Book Clubs), you might want to check that out too. But this episode is where we get into the fun part of recommending actual books we think are great for book club discussion. As always, we'd love to hear your own recommendations in the comments. What are some of the best book club books you've ever read?

Enjoy the show!

Show Notes:

0:24 - Summer update

1:35 - Today's topic: What makes a good book club book?

2:25 - Tips for choosing books for book club:

• 2:47 - Favorite books don't always make for a good discussion
• 3:55 - Choose a book that generates opposite opinions or strong feelings
• 6:35 - Some ambiguity in the plot/ending encourages discussion
• 8:15 - This is a simple indicator for knowing if a book will be good for book club
• 9:58 - Take the length of the book into consideration
• 12:45 - Be careful of choosing a bestseller 
• 15:30 - Check if your library has book club sets
• 16:12 - Identify the unique tastes and interests and commitment levels of your book club
• 17:22 - Nonfiction is generally a safe choice

18:50 - A few of our favorite book club books

28:17 - Two recommendations for summer reading

• 29:03 - Suzanne's recommendation 
• 31:20 - Amy's recommendation

32:32 - Conclusion

Books and links talked about during the show:

The Book Blab Episode 17: Book Clubs (Part One)

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

The Children Act by Ian McEwan (Amy's review)

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (Suzanne's review)

Educated by Tara Westover (Suzanne's review)

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

The Wolves at the Door: The True Story of America's Greatest Female Spy by Judith L. Pearson (Amy's review)

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (Amy's review // Suzanne's review)

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin (Suzanne's review)

Bomb: the Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin (Amy's review // Suzanne's review)

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman (Amy's review // Suzanne's review)

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Suzanne's review)

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (Amy's review) 

Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (Suzanne's review) 

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubraker Bradley (Amy's review)

The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows (Suzanne's review)

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls (Amy's review)