Book Clubs Recommend

When it comes to selecting books, there's nothing better than a recommendation from a book club. We featured 100 top reading suggestions from book clubs in The Book Club Cookbook.

Since then, we've been posting recommendations from book clubs around the country on this page.
We've also included some menus from their meetings. Each title links to a book club recommendation.
Please note that the featured books on our websites do not necessarily have a culinary tie-in: the goal of our sites is to connect readers with the best fiction and non-fiction titles for book clubs.

To receive new recommendations throughout the year, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, Book Bytes.

Happy Reading!

Summer, 2009

The Page Turners of Fallston High School of Bel Air, Maryland, recommend:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
and Annie Barrows (Dial, 2009), Historical Fiction, 304 pages

"Using a series of letters, the author tells the story of the German Occupation of the Channel Islands – Guernsey Island in particular - during World War II.  Our book club enjoyed discussion about the dying art of letter writing and how putting one’s thoughts and feelings down on paper by hand is still very important for the writer and welcomed by the receiver, although we are living in a world of email.  We compared past wars (WWI, WWII, and the German Occupation on Guernsey Island) with current day wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and found that they are similar in many ways. Reading about the islanders’ lives during and after the German Occupation was eye opening. The colorful characters were superbly described by the author and made you feel as if you knew them personally. Reading about the birth of another book club – completely by accident – was quite interesting."

Paired with: "Grilled kielbasa slices, carrot sticks, and chocolate. We compared our fare to that of the night the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was discovered. They were secretly feasting on roast pig! The carrots and chocolate represented the types of rationed food they were provided during the German Occupation."

Books in the Rain of Seattle, Washington, recommends:
Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe by Jennie Shortridge (NAL, 2008),
Fiction, 400 pages

"This book was relevant to us because it focuses on an important life transition for women, as their children are growing up and establishing their own identities, and women and men both are figuring out who they are again. The main character, Mira, is going through many life experiences we could relate to, such as a mid-life identity crisis, perimenopause, and an empty nest, and the story provided rich discussion. The best part of the meeting was when author Jennie Shortridge joined us for part of the evening to discuss the book. What a treat! She is both a delightful person and gifted author, and having the author’s perspective was really enlightening."

Blue Stockings Book Club of Elk Grove, California recommends:
Hotel on the Corner of the Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Ballantine, 2009),
Fiction, 304 pages

"This book is set in the Chinese and Japanese communities of Seattle, and covers the periods prior to, during, and after World War II. It is the story of a young Chinese-American boy who falls in love with a young Japanese girl. The novel examines the effects of the relationship on his Chinese parents and the internment of the Japanese during the war.  Topics that came up included the internment of the Japanese; my friend, who is Chinese, and her explanation of the differences between the Chinese and Japanese people and prejudices against each group; and confiscation of Japanese-owned property during the war."

Novels and Nibbles of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, recommends:
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (Random House, 2008), Fiction, 576 pages

"We chose to read this book in November due to the timing of the presidential elections.  Some of the story was more explicit than we would have liked, but we are all lovers of Laura Bush. We were curious to know how much was true or not, so we spent some time googling! The book raised many questions about marriage, loyalty, and responsibility. Curtis Sittenfeld's writing drew us all into the fictional world of Alice Blackwell."

The Bookers of Henrico, North Carolina, recommends:
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III (W.W. Norton & Co, 1999),
Fiction, 368 pages

"Kathy has inherited half of her father's home in California. After a misunderstanding regarding payment of back taxes, the home goes on the auction block, and is purchased by Colonel Behrani, a new American citizen of Iranian origin. The story surrounds the conflict all feel about this home. Behrani has purchased the home in good faith from the county. Kathy won't let the home go and involves her new lover. No one is willing to compromise, and each takes action that has big repercussions. We felt the author's writing was powerful and the metaphors beautiful.  There are 3 main characters in the book, each perhaps dealing with clinical depression. Each member sympathized with a different character, which was fascinating.  This book led to a discussion on addiction and mental illness. Somemembers shared intimate details about their family or personal circumstances. That became the most precious part of our discussion: the comfort we felt from discussing this book in detail led to discussions about real life."

The Blue Stockings Book Club of Elk Grove, California, recommend:
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (Ecco, 2008),
Fiction, 576 pages

"This is a story of a boy, Edgar Sawtelle, the only child of Gar and Trudy Sawtelle, who is born mute.  The Sawtelle family raises purebred dogs for their intelligence and human-like qualities. The story concerns Edgar’s childhood, his muteness, the tragedy of his father’s murder and also his uncle Claude, who comes back into the family after an absence.  Topics that came up during discussion were the Wisconsin woods where the story is set (one member had a family vacation home near there); dogs and how they are an important part of family life; and the difficulties of being mute. Most liked the book, although the ending was not what everyone hoped it would be."

Thoreau Reading Group of Concord, Massachusetts, recommends:
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
(Anchor, 2006), Nonfiction, 432 pages

"This book focuses on a trip that Theodore Roosevelt took down an unexplored tributary of the Amazon River after he lost the election on the Progressive ticket.  Roosevelt was depressed and needed money, and several South American countries offered to pay him to make speeches. After he accepted, he was approached to do a trip down the Amazon, and he agreed to explore a totally unknown tributary of the river. The group took inadequate provisions (thinking they could hunt), the wrong kind of canoes and too many people. Roosevelt nearly died on the trip: he injured his leg and had heart problems (from which he never really recovered and died 4 years later), his son nearly drowned, his son's paddler drowned and one of the native bearers killed another one and then was left to die in the jungle. But they completed the trip, and the river, previously the River of Doubt, is now the Rio Roosevelt.

"Our discussion ranged from topics of Roosevelt’s character to why anyone would be so foolish in their preparations. Members commented that they would never have picked up this book to read, but they found it engrossing."

Tuesday Book Society of Bowling Green, Kentucky, recommends:
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert (St. Martin’s  Griffin, 2008),
Historical Fiction, 616 pages

"Moloka'i is the haunting story of a largely ignored and forgotten part of Hawaiian and American History.  It is the story of a young girl in Hawaii one hundred years ago, and a leper colony on the island of Moloka'i. We discussed the influx of people who brought diseases to Hawaii that had not been on the islands before. The horror of having a child taken from you and sent to a leper colony was more than any of us could imagine.  Father Damien, the priest who was in charge of the colony, is in the process of being canonized by the Catholic Church. Our main discussion was about how a young girl was able to face so much adversity, and still have a somewhat happy and contented life. We think maybe we need to take a trip to Hawaii and visit the island. You can now tour the site!"

The Daily Grind of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, recommends:
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar (Harper Perennial, 2007),
Fiction, 352 pages

"Set in modern-day India, this book tells the story of two women, one from the upper-middle class and one (the maid) from the lower class.  It depicts the hardships both women endure and how the wealthy and the poor are connected, but set apart.  It is a compelling story of how money doesn't always buy you happiness: the wealthy woman lives in an abusive marriage.  The maid’s poverty is also a tragedy, as she is illiterate and does not even have the daily necessities of life. The story shows how the bonds of women are always there, and have always transcended the division of class and culture.  We talked about the cruelty of the upper-middle class on their workers and the hardships of women who had to work for them.  We also discussed how the upper-middle class sticks together and can even tell lies and get away with it. For readers who have enjoyed The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, this book would be of interest."

Lake Cavanaugh Book Club of Mt. Vernon, Washington, recommends:
The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillippa Gregory  (Touchstone, 2004),
Historical Fiction, 672 pages

"This is a historical novel set in England with King Henry the Eighth as a major character.  As we know, Anne Boleyn married King Henry and subsequently was beheaded.  But previously, he had fallen in love with her sister, whom he seduced.  But Anne was very ambitious and ended up marrying King Henry. The palace intrigues were fascinating. Most of us were not aware that Anne had a sister, or what part she played in the drama. The denigration of women, in general, was formidable.  There is also a lot of information about the power of the Catholic Church in England and King Henry’s role as the first monarch to challenge that power. This led to a discussion of church and state. It might be interesting to compare the book with the movie version." 

Women Who Love to Read of Brockport, New York, recommend:
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (Riverhead, 2005), Fiction, 352 pages

"It’s New Year's Eve and, by chance, Martin, the washed-up talk show host, Maureen, the defeated parent of a special needs child/adult, JJ, the delusional wannabe rock star, and Jess, a parent’s worst nightmare of a teen, accidentally meet at the top of what is rumored to be the best building in London, to commit suicide.  One by one they abandon their plans to deliberately kill themselves, and they learn each other’s stories through a series of eccentric, unexpected and even dangerous adventures.  Our group couldn't help but love the quirky personalities of the four main characters. Although it’s a dark topic, somehow author Nick Hornby makes it humorous, snarky, and entertaining.  The book generated a lively discussion because we all chose different characters to sympathize with, to dislike, and most surprising, as favorites."

Spring, 2009

PMMS Book Club of Antioch, California, recommends:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova (Pocket, 2009), Fiction, 320 pages

“What a wonderful book! It is about a world renowned Harvard College Professor
of Linguistics who finds out she has early onset Alzheimers. It deals with such a
tremendous loss for someone whose life depends on her intellect and her ability to
communicate to heads of the Linguistic field, her family and students. Questions arose
about whether her husband (a scientist) should continue to pursue his dreams despite her illness, how much time was left before she left them forever and how should this time be spent. It is a heartbreaker and a page turner. A must read for all!”

The "Revolving Door" of Seaford, Long Island, New York, recommends:
Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, with Recipes by Amanda Hesser
(WW. Norton, 2003), Memoir, 288 pages

“Amanda Hesser, food editor for The New York Times, wrote this memoir about her budding relationship, and how food goes hand in hand with friends, memories and a great bottle of wine. The book includes recipes and menus after each installment of her story. The questions that came up in the group included: ‘Did this book make you a foodie? Did it make you think of the staples that your parents made? Did it bring back memories of your childhood?’ We also talked about the relationship of the author with her significant other. We had a great time with this book.”

Paired with: Each of us made a recipe from the book: Crab Cakes, Chocolate Dump It cake, Elizabeth’s Salad, Chutney Chicken, Cassis and Champagne, Almond Cake, and roasted and salted almonds.

The Gourmet Readers of Attleboro, Massachusetts, recommend:
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (Free Press, 2008), Fiction, 288 pages

“We enjoyed a provocative discussion of this novel, which won the 2008 Man Booker prize. After seeing Slumdog Millionaire, many members noted that both book and movie paint a disturbing portrait of today’s India.

“As India flails amidst the tides of technological change, and the majority of its population remains mired in a cesspool of servitude, poverty and injustice, the protagonist, Balram Halwai, a servant of bottom caste, tells the story of how he managed to use his wits and wiles to escape from ‘The Great Indian Rooster Coop’ of birth and family, to ‘succeed’ as a 21st century entrepreneur.

“The book raises many questions about systemic corruption, family values and expectations, the meaning of globalization for countries like India and China, how America is currently viewed and even the reasons why this book was chosen for the Man Booker prize. Motivations and decision making by the two main characters was also a hot topic of discussion. Not everyone ‘liked’ the book, but all agreed it was an excellent book for discussion.”

Cypress Readers Book Club of Cypress, California, recommends:
Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge (New American Library, 2005),
Fiction, 304 pages

“We had a wonderful book club meeting, with the author calling in on speaker phone. She was so funny and interesting. Eating Heaven is set in Portland and the writing is so vivid that you feel as if you're there. Eleanor is a food critic in her mid-thirties, living alone, who moves in with her beloved elderly Uncle Benny to care for him after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. We had a lively discussion about food, eating disorders, body image, being a single woman and wanting a relationship, the complexity of mother/daughter relationships and why they can be so fraught with misunderstanding and tension, sibling relationships, family ties, secrets and lies, and caring for a loved one with a terminal illness."

The Bookchatters of Virginia Beach, Virginia, recommend:
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson (Random House, 2004), Nonfiction, 400 pages

“This was a choice many of us would not have made but we found it fascinating. The story is of an uncharted shipwreck of a German U boat from World War II and its discovery many years later by a group of divers pursuing their hobby off the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey.

“The mystery of the ship draws the reader into the story, as does the diver subculture and the personal lives of the divers themselves, as well as the facts discovered regarding the sailors of the sunken ship. As the characters of the book unravel the secrets surrounding the ship, tragedies in their lives also unfold. Readers become aware that danger and death are connected to the ocean for the men of the past that crewed the ship, as well as for the divers that risked their own lives to dive again and again in their search for clues.

“Perhaps our book club’s enjoyment of this selection was somewhat influenced by our location along the shores of the Atlantic, and that our community is heavily populated with Navy personnel. Elements in the story such as love for the ocean, respect for military men, and the pursuit of truth ring familiar for us."

The Xingu Book Club of Buckingham, Pennsylvania, recommends:
My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme (Knopf, 2006),
Memoir, 336 pages

“Our book club enjoyed reading Julia Child’s memoir about her life in France, starting with her arrival in 1948 with her husband who worked with the U.S. Information Service. She spoke no French but immersed herself in the French culture, learning the language, buying food at all the local markets and taking classes at the famed Cordon Bleu, where she discovered her passions for cooking and teaching. Child tells of her struggle to get her now-famous cookbook published, her wonderful, nearly fifty-year marriage and her success as a chef and writer. Even if you are not interested in cooking you will enjoy this interesting story of one of the most endearing American personalities of the last fifty years.

“One of the topics discussed was the impact Julia's cookbooks and television series had on our lives. We discussed Julia's difficulties with her father because of their different political opinions. We discussed how she learned both French and German when they were transferred to Germany due to Paul's work. We discussed how dedicated she was in making and testing recipes over and over before putting them in her cookbook.

“This is a good selection for a book club because the time period, just after WWII in France, is interesting, and it offers a behind the scenes look at the famed Cordon Bleu cooking school, as well as an insight into Julia's life before we all knew her from her cooking shows on television.”

Paired with: French onion soup (recipe from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking), French baguette, salad and croissants for dessert. Bon appétit!

Book Hags of Grass Valley, California, recommend:
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse (Putnam, 2008), Mystery, 508 pages

“Sepulchre was our second Kate Mosse book, and we felt this book was darker and more sinister than her previous book, Labyrinth. The book was written in two story
lines and set in a French village. The main characters, modern and historical, are female. The story starts out in modern times around a Tarot card reading. It leads to the village and the history around a house and the family that lived there. You get a real sense of place and a forest primeval. It’s filled with murder, mayhem, fires and floods, love and mystery. We discussed evil people we have known and whether we can recognize an evil person by how they look, what would make a person evil, Tarot cards and different ways they can be used.

“We all brought Tarot cards and shared the artwork on them. We each drew a card from a Native American animal deck someone brought and read what they meant.”

Paired with: "Black Forest Oatmeal Cookies and dining at a restaurant, Toffanelli's, which has rock walls surrounding the patio. It is the closest thing we could get to a Sepulchre!"

Harrington Grove Friends and Neighbors Book Club of Raleigh, North Carolina, recommends:
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult (Atria, 2000), Fiction, 432 pages

“Plain Truth is a riveting story of a young Amish girl who is trying to balance the life
she has always known and loved with a world outside of her religion. She dons clothes
that fit the ‘outside’ world and adopts a different personality. However, when she returns home, she automatically reverts to her old self and her old ways.
The two starkly contrasting worlds collide as the drama unfolds.

“Our group loved the author's writing style and story line, which hooked us from page one. We discussed everything from Amish beliefs (whether we could or would want to live by their rules and standards) to our current legal system (which we think tends to pre-judge
the suspect before finding concrete evidence).”

Paired with: Amish Friendship Bread with home-churned butter, just like the Amish make it.

Love2Read of Cottonwood, Utah, recommends:
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (Bantam, 2008), Fiction, 288 pages

“Since her father’s death, 27-year-old Josey has dedicated her life to taking care of
her mother, who constantly withholds love from her daughter. Josey turns to romance novels, candy, and travel magazines to ease her loneliness. She converts her closet into a secret room for herself, and one day wakes up to find the town tramp hiding there. This is a feel-good book. The plot is easy to follow without being predictable, and it draws you in immediately. The characters are endearing and easy to relate to.”

Winter, 2008

StrollerFriends and Austin Wine and Words of Austin, Texas, recommend:
The Seamstress by Frances Peebles (Harper, 2008), Fiction, 656 pages

"This book is an amazing tale of two Brazilian sisters and the struggle for women to maintain a sense of self despite drought, revolution, economic hardship, and separation from loved ones in the 1930s. The author incorporates a tremendous amount of detail about Brazilian life in both the country and city, and the result is that you feel like you are really there. The character development is exceptional and we felt like we really knew and had a relationship with each of the sisters. Our group comprises many mothers, and we enthusiastically shared our own personal stories related to the two main characters' struggles to be independent and free yet be loved by a man, and experience motherhood and the devotion to a child, while still keeping the connection to our siblings and roots alive and strong. We loved the way the author drew us into the suspense of the sisters' lives, and the opportunity to learn about an entirely different culture. We found and enjoyed reading a very informative two-page essay by the author on the story behind the book."
 
Paired with: "Menu recommendations were received directly from the author and included Pão de Queijo (warm cheese bread served in bakeries across Brazil), Bobó de Camarão (a popular dish of shrimp in spicy dende yucca sauce with onion, tomatoes, and peppers), and Porco Tenderloin (coffee crusted grilled pork-loin topped with spicy cherry sauce)."

The Vegetarian Society of DC Book Club recommends:
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman (Thomas Dunne, 2007), Nonfiction, 336 pages

“This book about how long it would take for the earth to return to a natural state if people were to disappear also says a lot about the dangers we live with every day. It covers vast territory with something to learn on every page. Weisman touches on the environmental consequences of food choices and factory farming, though there's much more to be said.”

Paired with:  “We discussed the book over an assortment of delicious vegan snacks at Sticky Fingers Bakery in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC, including corn chowder served in a bread bowl and soy hot wings.”

Newcomers of San Mateo County, California Book Club recommends:
Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky (Knopf, 2006), Historical Fiction, 416 pages

“This portrayal of life in France at the beginning of the German occupation of World War II is two novellas. The first, ‘Storm in June’ depicts the flight of Parisians to the surrounding towns and villages prior to Hitler’s invasion of Paris in June 1940.  The second book, ‘Dolce’ takes us through July 1941 and deals with the aftermath of the German invasion, as some return to Paris, others remain in the bucolic French countryside and lives return to some normalcy, though under control of the German occupying forces. There are surprises and shocks, some of which can lead the reader to see into the future of what is now the history of that terrible period.

“The strength and depth of Suite Française, however, lies in author’s story as described in appendices and a biographical sketch at the end of the book.  Ms. Nemirovsky was a well-known writer in France during the 1920s, and 1930s. She was a native of the Ukraine and of Jewish descent, having emigrated the Paris in 1919.  The essence of the fiction reflects what the author and her family suffered during this period.

“Book club members shared awe for the exquisite writing shown in this novel.  We expressed great sadness at the real life story and the death of this fine writer and discussed Ms. Nemirovsky’s life as it paralleled this work of fiction. The human behavior described in the story brought up interesting insights. We delved into discussions of the French people, World War II, and the Jewish Holocaust. We encourage other readers to read the appendices and biographical sketch before starting the novel itself.”

The Mom’s and Dad’s Club of Haddonfield, New Jersey, recommends:
Promise the Moon by Elizabeth Joy Arnold (Bantam, 2008), Fiction, 464 pages

“This is the story of a mother, Natalie, trying to help her children through the suicide of their father following his return from serving in Iraq. She ends up writing letters to the children from their father,telling them the things he'd want them to know, after which her daughter Anna starts pretending to be talking to her father in heaven. The book sounds depressing, but along with the sadness, it was filled with joy, healing, and humor.

”After discussing the book, we wrote letters telling our families the things we would most want them to know after we are gone, as well as things we wished we could have heard from the loved ones we've lost. A couple of us were so touched by this that they decided to include their letters with their wills, to be read after their deaths.”

Paired with: “Our food selection for this book was spurred by what may have been author oversight. In one section of the book, Natalie is baking cookies with her children when a serious accident requires them all to leave the house.  No one ever takes the cookies out of the oven! This bothered a woman in our book club, and so for fun we decided to bring our favorite cookie recipe to share.” 

TriniReads Book Club of Trinity Lutheran Church in East Amherst, New York, recommends:
Run by Ann Patchett (Harper Perennial, 2008), Fiction, 320 pages

“Through a series of serendipitous events, a family in Boston is divided, united, and ultimately woven together in a way that makes each member stronger and more resilient. The story examines issues of religion, race, class, politics, responsibility, loyalty, and most deeply, family. The title has multiple meanings, representing something different for each of the characters - all fully-drawn, compelling, and satisfyingly memorable.

“One group member felt the coincidences that set the stage for the plot (and others revealed throughout the story) were hard to believe, thus getting in the way of the novel's realism. Other members reveled in the way minute details defined the characters, the way events in the story were interwoven, and the way the plot unfolded.”

Paired with:  “Peanut butter toast, because that's what the main characters eat the morning after the event that first brings them together; cut-out cookies in the shape of feet (in appetizing colors with colorful toes!), because the central character, Kenya, loves to run, and that's the title of the book; and Boston Creme Pie, because the story is set in Boston.”

The Theme Book Club of Melbourne, Florida recommends:
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry (Viking, 2004), Nonfiction, 560 pages

“In our themed book club, members are free to choose any book – fiction or nonfiction - on the theme, and the first meeting was devoted to books written about the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. The most-read book was The Great Influenza.  This is a truly ‘can't put down’ book. Mr. Barry's subject is not just the flu, but the state of medicine in the U.S. at the time (frightful), the scientists who tried to solve the puzzle of what it was and how it was passed, the dreadful deaths of young soldiers in camps and on troop ships crossing the Atlantic, and the everyday people who suffered and died. After reading this book, average readers (like us) understood that a pandemic of this proportion (100 million died) can happen again in our day. This is a sobering and fascinating read.”

Mason Farms Reading Group of Bristol, Rhode Island, recommends:
Mila 18 by Leon Uris (1961), Historical Fiction, 548 pages

”In this book, Leon Uris makes us care so much about the Jews who were confined to the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. We discussed the role of each major character and how they influenced the story, even those Jews who were working for the Germans. The book has strong women who sacrifice much for the good of their people. The heroes of the story are characters you take to heart and hope beyond hope will succeed in their mission.” 

The Literary Lyres of San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, California, recommends:
Dream of the Blue Room by Michelle Richmond (MacAdam/Cage, 2005), Fiction, 294 pages

“This is a lush, lyrically written story of a young woman trying to cope with the death of both her marriage and the murder of her girlfriend, Jenny. The lead character finds herself on board a cruise ship with her husband, from whom she is separated, and a canister of her best friend’s ashes, which she plans to scatter in China. This engrossing thriller deals with love, loss and seduction. We enjoyed the author’s ability to paint beautiful word pictures of the landscape and the environment.

“The author, Michelle Richmond, joined us via speakerphone for our meeting.  From her, we learned about the inspiration for the book and how the author's personal experiences shaped the story.”

Paired with:  Blue Cake, in keeping with the “blue” theme of the book.

Meta Book Club of Gig Harbor, Washington, recommends:
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley (Springboard Press, 2008), Graphic Novel, 176 pages

“Marian Henley is the creator of the cartoon Maxine, and The Shiniest Jewel is an extremely beautiful graphic memoir about the author’s odyssey to adopt a child from Russia at the age of 50. Members were impressed by how easy it was to follow the story, and how effective the graphic presentation is for conveying emotions. Some of our favorite aspects of the book include the spirituality of her father’s passing and the author’s honest and open approach to a deeply personal event. One member thought that the lack of color helped rather than hindered the storyline. As a whole, we highly recommend this book to reading groups, friends, family, those who are in the process of adopting a child, and perhaps to adoption agencies.”

The Village Green Book Club of Los Angeles, California, recommends:
A Good Indian Wife by Anne Cherian (W.W. Norton, 2008), Fiction, 320 pages

“This is the story of an arranged Indian marriage -- but it's actually the story of any ethnic group adjusting to America. An Indian immigrant, Neel, intent on ‘becoming American’ -- including craving a blonde wife -- gets tricked into an arranged marriage with an Indian woman with a brain. It’s a love story a la Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

"Our book club is part of a very diverse residential community that includes people of African -American, Chinese, Armenian-American, French, and Mexican heritage. Our discussion of the novel started there. Cherian's story of an Indian emigree who desperately wants to be ‘American’ resonated with so many people. Everyone knew a ‘coconut’ like Neel - someone brown on the outside, but white on the inside. With Barack Obama running for President, the discussion jumped off from there. We also discussed ‘happily ever after' and whether there is such a thing.”

Bab’s Books of Los Angeles, California, recommends:
Sweet Mandarin: The Courageous True Story Of Three Generations Of Chinese Women And Their Journey From East To West by Helen Tse (Thomas Dunne, 2008), Nonfiction, 288 pages

"This book had such an impact on our group. Tse gives a touching view of the life of her Chinese-British family, focusing on her grandmother, Lily Kwok whose life has included murder, adoption, poverty, bankruptcy, working as a maid, dealing with a deadbeat husband and being separated from her children. It’s a story about generations of women - a grandmother, mother, and Helen, the daughter. We talked about how much we each knew of our own mothers and grandmothers; the book spurred some members to reconnect with their mothers.

"There are wonderful descriptions of cooking in feudal China, and vivid scenes of post-war Britain, with a rickety old Ford bouncing down the cobbled streets. The descriptions of Helen's grandmother's curry and mother's clay pot chicken leave you salivating."

Paired with: Family recipes that members brought to the meeting, along with the story behind the dish.

The Mom's Book Club from Van Horne, Iowa, recommends:
The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski (Shaye Areheart Books, 2007), Fiction 304 pages

"After meeting at a local Weight Watchers group, June offers Marissa a ride home. As Marissa unbuckles her seatbelt to get a soup recipe out of her purse, she is killed suddenly in an accident. June finds a list of items that Marissa wanted to complete before she was 25, and decides to complete the list for her. We talked about the difficulty of completing someone’s "life list" and which would be the most challenging items on the lists. We also discussed how we would react to accidentally killing someone in a car accident and how that might change the course of our own lives.

"We had agreed before the meeting to bring our own lists, which we shared. We noted that the youngest in our group - ages 25 and 26 - were the ones to put the most thought in their lists. Many of us wanted to raise our children to be productive and honorable citizens, become grandmothers, and experience things with our children such as seeing the ocean. Others wanted to travel, learn to knit, or open a bakery/café. I think we all learned a little bit more about our values and dreams. Smolinski's book provides a great way to get to know your fellow book club members and to think about your own life and what 'life list items' you want to accomplish."

Paired with: Marissa's Weight Watchers' Taco Soup recipe (featured in the book).

The Read and Feed Tome Head Society of Troy, Illinois, recommends:
Color Me Butterfly: A True Story Of Courage, Hope And Transformation by L.Y. Marlow (El, 2007),Nonfiction, 422 pages

"This book is inspired by a true story of four generations of women who lived with abuse of every kind. The oldest generation seemed to have the worst of the abuse though the youngest generation suffered also. We are brought to some very personal places in the family's story. The author discussed her life and trials and triumphs with us via speakerphone. Some of us could just not comprehend staying in such relationships and wanted to know why women stay. The author was very candid in her answers and made all of us think and appreciate the lives we are blessed with. The book made us think long and hard about what could be going on in the lives of those around us of which we are not even aware."

Carol’s Book Club of Janesville, Wisconsin, recommends:
Can't Wait to Get To Heaven by Fannie Flagg (Random House, 2006), Fiction, 384 pages

"I smiled so much that my mouth hurt as I read the book. Our group talked about Ellner Schimfissel, one of the unique and delightful characters in the book. We discussed how the author developed the characters and compared her style to that of Fried Green Tomatoes. We also commented on the unique touch of including recipes from the characters at the end of the book. The setting was a small southern town so it made the inclusion of recipes so believable."

Paired with: Neighbor Dorothy's cake. True to its southern roots it was very tasty - probably due to the generous amounts of sugar and butter in the recipe!

The Attic Salt Book Group of the Sullivan Free Library of Bridgeport, New York, recommends:
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (Atria, 2006), Fiction, 416 pages

"This literary ghost story about twins growing up in unusual circumstances in Yorkshire led to an interesting discussion. Some felt that the plot was too intricate but most enjoyed the twists and turns, and very surprising ending. All agreed that the story and style was reminiscent of the Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney gothic romances that many of us enjoyed while growing up. One interesting point is that the book is not set in a specific time. The author deliberately keeps it vague - some parts seem contemporary and others seem like 19th century England - again, in keeping with the old gothic novel."

Also recommended by:
The Final Chapter Book Club of Lockhaven, Pennsylvania

Paired with: In keeping with the English setting of the novel, Crabmeat/Old English cheese appetizers on English Muffins and Layered Double Gloucester and Stilton cheese with English biscuits and crackers. One of the main characters, Aurelius, baked ginger cake for the protagonist whenever they met, so we had Ginger Cake for dessert with Earl Grey and English Breakfast teas.

Summer, 2008

The Literary Lyres of San Fernando Valley in Woodland Hills, California, recommends:
Plum Wine by Angela Davis-Gardner (University of Wisconsin, 2006), Fiction, 332 pages

"Plum Wine is beautifully written and had broad appeal. Barbara Jefferson, an American, is teaching at a Japanese university, when her friend and mentor, Michiko dies, leaving Barbara a Japanese chest filled with bottles of homemade plum wine. Each bottle is dated with a consecutive year and wrapped with rice paper, on which Michiko has written her life story. Barbara engages a Japanese gentleman to translate the diaries, and they embark upon a personal relationship. The story takes place during the Vietnam era and reflects back over Hiroshima and the devastation that war can cause. It spans many years and shows us the dangers of history repeating itself. It is a love story as well as a morality tale with psychological suspense. The mother of one of our members is Japanese and lived in a relocation camp during World War II. She was able to bring her unique and personal perspective to the Japanese American experience. Our group unanimously enjoyed the book, and the author was gracious enough to participate in our discussion via speaker phone."

Paired with: Japanese cuisine, including Japanese cucumber salad, Benihana-style fried rice, soy rice crackers, tempura vegetables, plum wine and Michi-San's Japanese Slipper - a big hit with the girls!

The Culinary and Literary League of the Glen Afton neighborhood in Trenton, New Jersey, recommends:
The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (Houghton Mifflin, 2004), Fiction, 400 pages

“We enjoyed a spirited discussion of this 2008 ‘One Book New Jersey’ selection. In this ‘what if’ story Roth writes about what might have happened if Charles Lindbergh, a national hero, but also an ardent isolationist and secret Nazi sympathizer, had been elected president in 1940 instead of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  The story is told from the perspective of 7-year-old Philip growing up in the predominantly Jewish Weequahic section of Newark. At our meeting the novel was brought to life a bit by a musical rendition of the 1927 hit song, ‘Lucky Lindy’:  (‘Lucky Lindy up in the sky--Fair or windy he's flying high.... he’s the hero of the day.’  )  Some of us also read Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here (written in 1935 and made into a successful play in 1936) which demonstrated that fascism could take over the United States if Americans thoughtlessly and blindly followed certain leaders.”

Paired with: Jewish cuisine, including raisin noodle kugel. 

The Sheep Moments Book Club of West Hartford, Connecticut, recommends:
For One More Day by Mitch Albom (Hyperion, 2006), Fiction, 2008 pages

“Our group is very diverse in our tastes and we rarely agree on a book. For One More Day was one of those books that we all really liked. This book inspired each of us to share our own personal grief stories. The book was haunting in that it made each of us think about the possibility of spending just one more day with someone that we truly cared about and is now gone.  It made us think about the relationships we currently have with our family members and what it will be like when they are gone.Will there be more that needs to be said?  It's not a sad book, but a book that makes one think about one’s relationships with people both living and dead.  

Manchester Teachers’ Book Group of Manchester Center, Vermont, recommends:
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (Penguin, 2006), Nonfiction, 338 pages

“This book touched our lives. We were amazed and overwhelmed by what Greg Mortenson was able to accomplish. We were struck by his tenacity and his single-mindedness. We were awed by his accomplishments. This book was very powerful, and elicited lots of discussion regarding education and students regard for education both here in the US and in poverty-stricken countries. Mortenson’s vivid descriptions and detailed explanations of the political climate and arena were powerful messages of how our government uses the news to distort the facts and give people a false picture of other countries and their people.“

Oregon Public Library Afternoon Book Club of Oregon, Illinois, recommends:
A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee (Macmillan, 1966), Fiction, 192 pages

“This play is about an upper-class family that is invaded by a sister, a daughter and two neighbors.  We agreed that the life-style portrayed was empty, and discussed what we thought would have brought joy to the characters.  One person had seen the film version of the performance and remarked on how one character was portrayed as evil.  This sparked a discussion of how actors and directors can interpret and change a play in production. During the meeting we read portions of the play, with different people taking on the roles. What a great time we had! Many of us felt that, when it was read out loud, we could see the humor  we'd missed by reading it to ourselves. We enjoyed talking about how the play really ‘came alive’ when we read it aloud.  On the surface, some of the text is a little upsetting and even annoying, but reading it brought the humor of the situations to the fore.

The Book Enders of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, recommend:
The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic That Shaped Our History by Molly Caldwell Crosby (Berkeley, 2006), Nonfiction, 320 pages

"In this incredible book on the history of the yellow fever, those infected by it, and how the disease came to our country, Ms. Crosby concentrates on Memphis, Tennessee during the summer of 1878. During the Civil War, two thirds of the soldiers’ deaths were caused by yellow fever. Scientists, including Walter Reed, fought amongst each other over how yellow fever spread. Reed and others went to Havana, Cuba, to discover and experiment with the true causes of the disease, and some scientists volunteered to contract yellow fever. Although the cause is eventually found, the disease is not yet cured and is still active today. It is a fascinating part of our history.?
You will also learn little tidbits and phrases that we have heard of all our lives but did know the origins of, such as: How did the KKK begin? What was the Flying Dutchman? Why did we start calling the parlor the living room? Where did the word cemetery derive from? After reading this book, a member went to Memphis and went on a tour of the yellow fever according to the book."

Paired with: Mississippi Mud, and a Fruit Pizza, in honor of Walter Reed's stomach and his attempt to eat healthily in Cuba. Mosquito netting was spread over the food.

Spring , 2008

Sworn Sisters Book Club of Indianapolis, Indiana, recommends:  
Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran (Random House, 2005), Fiction, 240 pages

“This is the story of three sisters who flee Iran and end up in a rural village in Ireland, where they open an enchanting Persian restaurant.  We enjoyed the characters, the scenery, the cultural differences (Iran vs. Ireland) and the sensuous descriptions of the sisters' culinary creations.  We would have liked the book to be a bit longer, with more details about the sisters' situation in Iran.  It was difficult to grasp how the one sister so quickly became entangled with extremists, when she was not naturally inclined to do so.  This is a great book for those who enjoy serving book-related food as part of the meeting, as each chapter of the book begins with a recipe.  We enjoyed making and eating some of the Persian dishes that were mentioned in the book.”

Paired with: Baklava, Hummus, Red Lentil Soup Fesenjoon (chicken in a ground walnut and pomegranate juice sauce), Rice Elephant Ears (from a recipe in the book - not the kind that you would find at the county fair)

Coffee Clutch Book Club of Pueblo, Colorado, recommends:
Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir (Miramax 2001), Memoir, 304 pages

“Our book club read this book awhile ago but it still is on our minds.  This is a memoir of an extraordinary woman who was imprisoned with her family for two decades. It surprised our book club that the story  took place in the 1970s and1980s, when we were all very young and took our freedom for granted. The family in the story was similar to our own families, but it was dealing with  hardships and unjust conditions while we were enjoying proms and graduations with plenty in our bellies. We talked about howone’s life can change very suddenly, and what one needs to do to cope when that happens.”

Paired with: Simple food and veggies, because the people in the story  were happy and thankful to eat rotten foods

The Pierce County Book Club of Puyallup, Washington, recommends:
Finn by Jon Clinch  (Random House, 2007) Fiction, 304 pages (Read with Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

“Finn is the first authorized sequel to the Twain classic and is the story of Huckleberry's ‘Pap’. It is a dark and violent story and some of our readers had a hard time with the transition between Huckleberry's world and the deeply demented world of the elder Finn. We discussed the differences between the two books - which one seemed more realistic (Finn), the use of dialect writing in Huckleberry but not carried over in Finn and whether this affected the reading ambiance. We discussed the fact that Huckleberry is a banned book in regard to racial issues and we all agreed that Jon Clinch seemed to have taken that into account and raised this sensitive issue up a few notches. Overall, it was a very lively discussion and an especially delightful evening.”

Happy Bookers of Sterling, Virginia, recommend:
Lucky Me by Debra Borden (Crown/Shaye Areheart, 2005), Fiction, 288 pages

“All of us enjoyed reading this debut novel from Debra Borden regarding a middle-aged woman dealing with life's routine, yet challenging, circumstances.  As wives, mothers, and daughters, we could relate to Julie's dealings with her clueless but loyal husband, ailing mother and rebellious children.  There were laugh-out-loud passages and poignant scenes, and all of it was utterly believable.  We had an absolutely delightful telephone chat with the author who cheerfully answered our questions and even discussed our casting choices if it were made into a movie.  This was a very fun read, and Ms. Borden is hysterically funny, both on the page and in person.”

The Reading Club of Englewood, New Jersey, recommends:
Unless by Carol Shields (Fourth Estate, 2002), Fiction, 224 pages

“Unless evoked for all the women of our group the passions, frustrations, and pains of motherhood.  The ‘ordinariness’ of the family life she portrays confirms our own experience (we are an older group) that extraordinary events take place often in that ordinary context.  The impact of the behavior of a single child affects the marriage, the siblings, and nearly each relationship among them.  A story beautifully and honestly told, Unless explores parenting and in what, in contemporary--and perhaps all-family structures (a good topic for discussion)--the differences between ‘fathering’ and ‘mothering’ may consist.”

Winter, 2007

The Hawthorne Neighborhood Book Club, Bloomington, Illinois, recommends:
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (Ballantine Books, 2007), Fiction, 384 pages

“This author's first novel is beautifully written and made several of us want to delve deeper into the accomplishments of Frank Lloyd Wright. Horan draws on years of research to weave little known-facts into a compelling narrative portraying the conflicts and struggles of Mamah Borthwick Cheney as she strives to justify her clandestine love Frank Lloyd Wright. She is forced to choose between the roles of mother, wife, lover, and intellectual, seeking to find her own creative calling in the world. Her choices that reshape her notions about love and responsibility lead to a stunning conclusion.Most of us agreed we did not like the behavior of the main characters, but the book was so intriguing and rich in detail we could not put it down.

"Fortunately for us, one of our members is a cousin to Nancy Horan and we were delighted to have a conference call conversation with her during our discussion. The book's cover is classic F. L. Wright design, complete with shadowy profile, perhaps symbolizing the complexities of his life. We closed our discussion questioning the title and wondered ‘Who was it who loved Frank?”

The Regional Readers and the Travel Book Club of the East Regional Library in Knightdale, North Carolina, recommend:
The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips (Random House, 2004), Fiction, 416 pages

"The Egyptologist was a wonderful book to discuss as there were so many facets to explore. It provided a fascinating, in-depth historical glimpse into Egypt and archeology, and including real-life explorer Howard Carter added to the authentic feel. The group was absorbed with the author's use of truth, Lies and perspectives as the story progressed. Following the discussion our group made a trip to the North Carolina Museum to have brunch and a tour of the Egyptian ‘Temples and Tombs’ exhibit.”

The Broward County Library, Stirling Road Branch Book Club of Hollywood, Florida, recommends:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Riverhead, 2007), Fiction, 384 pages

“A Thousand Splendid Suns provides an interesting comparison/contrast to Hosseini's first book about his native Afghanistan. The Kite Runner was about male companionship, whereas this book is about female friendship and character. It provides background for excellent discussions of several themes, especially love and loss.Hosseini's descriptions keep readers so engaged, most people can’t believe they finished such a novel in so little time! Researching Hosseini, I was able to find wonderful interviews that revealed the author's favorite books and movies which I turned into a handout for book group attendees.

"Our discussion group was treated to a question-and-answer session with a co-worker of mine from Pakistan. This really enhanced the session since everyone there was female, so no one felt inhibited in their questions. We are eagerly awaiting release of The Kite Runner movie in November, as well as hoping for a third book by Hosseini."

The Preschool Moms Book Club of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, recommends:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (HarperOne, 2006), Fiction, 192 pages

"This is the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who has a dream about finding a treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. Hesells everything he owns and travels to Africa to start his quest. Along the way, he falls in love with a young woman and faces many challenges as he travels through the desert. While this book was one of the shortest and most simple books we have read, we couldn't help but feel that the messages in it were universal. The book challenged us to look within ourselves to determine our dreams, and reminded us to work to attain these dreams.”

Reading between the Wines of Ridgewood, New Jersey, recommends:
The Romance Reader by Pearl Abraham (Riverhead, 1995), Fiction, 296 pages

“This book gave us the opportunity to explore coming of age in a Chasidic family from the perspective of the daughter of a rabbi. The protagonist was in a swim club and struggled with issues of dress, reading forbidden romance books, and walking out on an arranged marriage. We explored strict upbringings, whether in a Jewish family or a Christian one. Discussing the rebellious Rachel Benjamin afforded us the opportunity to discuss how each of us reacted to the dogmatic rules we faced in our homes or religious life.”

Paired with: Food one might have in a home on the Jewish Sabbath, such as pareve (not meat or dairy) dried fruit, nuts and olives, and rugelach and pound cake for dessert.

Fall, 2007

The Book at Hand Club of Irving, Texas, recommends:
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Algonquin Books, 2006), Fiction, 335 pages

In this superb novel, the author depicts Jacob Jankowski both as a young man in 1931 - when in an act of desperation brought on by tragic circumstances he hops a circus train car - and in the present day, when he's an old man weak in body but strong in memories. The history and lore of the circus add a richness to the story of Jacob and his love for Marlena, an equestrian star married to August, the circus's violent animal trainer. The novel interweaves a poignant love story with the eccentric existence of the circus performers.

“Our club enjoyed reading of this bygone era, and we were also struck by a deeper understanding of what it feels like to age physically but still feel the same on the inside.The side stories of the animals, in particular, Rosie the elephant, made us laugh and cry.”

The Blue Anklets Book Club of Arlington Heights, Illinois, recommends:
A Midnight Carol: A Novel of How Charles Dickens Saved Christmas by Patricia K. Davis (St. Martin’s, 2000), Fiction, 208 pages

“This first-time novel written by a woman who had a deep and abiding love for Charles Dickens' work, relates the story of Charles Dickens’ struggle to publish A Christmas Carol in 1843. Patricia Davis details his effort while he teetered on the brink of personal failure and financial ruin. It also highlights the 'underworld' of life on the streets in London at the time, the poorhouses and crooked publishers. There's nice tension and it's beautifully written. This is a great example of creative historical fiction, and it’s the book to reach for now as the holidays approach.”

The Breakfast Book Club of West Hartford, Connecticut, recommends:
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins, 2007), Fiction, 414 pages

“We had an interesting discussion about The Yiddish Policemen’s Union because some of our members found the tone of the book to be anti-Semitic. The Jews of Sitka were basically corrupt survivors, except for a few noble ones. The most evil people were the most religious ones. The hero of the novel, Meyer Landsman, was the most admirable of those characters, and even he was drawn with all his flaws revealed. We also discussed how this alternative history could have happened, and what if it had. As with The Plot Against America, we shivered at the harsh concept of what our world would be like today if certain decisions were made sixty years ago.  We discussed the establishment of Israel as a refuge for the survivors of the Holocaust, and its struggle to survive. One of our members was traveling on a mission to bring a group of Ethiopian Jews into Israel several weeks after our book group met. We compared the experiences of the Ethiopian Jews to those of the European Jews who arrived in droves at Sitka, Alaska after World War II.”

The Bookies Book Club in Littleton, Colorado, recommends:
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors (New American Library, 2006), Fiction, 344 pages

"This historical fiction about the creation of the Taj Mahal in the mid-1600's was written in the first-person voice of a young princess, Jahanara. After the tragic death of her mother, Jahanara's father commissioned the building of the Taj Mahal, a grand mausoleum, as a testament of his love forhis wife. Jahanara tells the mesmerizing tale, while sharing her own life of forbidden love. Our group had a wonderful discussion with the author, about the fact that, even though Jahanara was a princess, her views weren't accepted because she was a woman."

Paired with: A traditional Indian dessert, called Gulab Jamun. These ball-shaped pastries are soaked in rose scented syrup and served with whipped cream.

Read Between the Wines Book Club of McHenry, Illinois, recommends:
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin, 2007), Nonfiction, 352 pages

"Our book club consists of thirty-year-olds, so we jumped at the opportunity to read this adventurous true story about the author. Elizabeth Gilbert is a woman in her thirties who takes a year to figure out her life by traveling to Italy, India, and Indonesia to discover balance, happiness, spirituality, and good food. She has humorous and also touching experiences in each location and meets some lovely people along the way who help enhance her journey towards self-discovery. We had a wonderful discussion on where we would travel if given the opportunity, what we feel about all the issues she presents as a woman in society today, and what we would title our own memoir. It has been voted the best book we have read to date by all members."

Paired with: An Italian feast in honor of Gilbert's journey to Italy and the wonderful food she ate while gaining some much needed weight: Pellegrino, red wine, grilled chicken Caesar salad, Creamy Asparagus and Parmesan Risotto, and for dessert, homemade hazelnut gelato (in the book, the author loves to splurge on different flavors of gelato)

Summer, 2007

The No-Name Book Club of Anchorage, Alaska, recommends:
The Kids From Nowhere by George Guthridge (Alaska Northwest Books, 2006), Nonfiction, 326 pages

”In 1982, George Guthridge brought his wife and two young daughters to Gambell, Alaska, a small village on the edge of the remote blizzard-swept St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. Guthridge was there to teach at a Siberian-Yupik school.  The school district enters the students into one of the most difficult academic competitions in the nation and George resolves to coach them to a state championship. Similar to an Alaskan version of Stand and Deliver, this is a story of triumph over adversity that provides a fascinating view of a remote Alaska Native village. Truly inspiring.”

Paired with:  “Pilot Bread crackers with salmon spread and wine. Rice is a staple in Alaskan villages, so dinner was served with rice, and flowers were put in empty cans as a centerpiece. Dessert was baked Alaska and coffee was served with canned milk for cream.”

Novel Ideas of San Antonio, Texas, recommends:
Blessings by Anna Quindlen (Random House, 2002), Fiction, 240 pages

“We had alively discussion regarding relationships in this story about a baby abandoned at an old estate, Blessings, and cared for by the newly hired handyman, Skip.  All agreed that the baby brought out long-suppressed feelings and regrets for Mrs. Blessing regarding her relationship with her own mother and later with her daughter. Skip had experienced a poor, almost non-existent relationship with his parents. We enjoyed reading the book because many of us could identify with the relationship dynamics in one way or the other (personally or professionally).”

Moms Reading of Wakefield, Massachusetts, recommends:
Why I'm Still Married: Women Write Their Hearts Out on Love, Loss, Sex, and Who Does the Dishes by Karen Propp and Jean Trounstine (Hudson Street Press, 2006), Nonfiction,  304 pages

"During our club’s discussion of this compilation of essays on marriage written by famous women authors, we  were able to open up to each other about our husbands and our marriages. We shared our favorite essays and we even each took turns reading aloud our favorite passages. We would highly recommend this as a good 'bonding' book: group members really got to know each other better."

Paired with: "Our husbands' favorite foods! Apple pie and cheesecake were a hit. One member broughtthe homemade lasagna her husband loves, and another broughtthe homemade American chop suey that her husband loves. The food this night was exceptional!"

The Renaissance Book Club in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, recommends:
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult (Atria, 2004), Fiction, 432 pages

“This is a story of a 13-year-old girl who demands medical emancipation from her parents. 
She was a ‘designer’ baby for thesake of her older, very ill sister and has decided not to do this anymore.  The description of the legal dilemma, the plight of the youngsters, the despair of the parents and the ensuing turns of this beautifully crafted and well-written story make for one you will be drawn to from the very first paragraph, and will rememberlong after the last paragraph is read.  The ensuing discussion willhold you in awe and you will feel that, should any of these characters walk into the room, you would know them instantly, the ones with whom you can identify and the ones withwhom you can't.”

Spring, 2007

Moms Reading of Wakefield, Massachusetts, recommends:
ALL SOULS: A FAMILY STORY FROM SOUTHIE by Michael Patrick Macdonald (Beacon Press, 1999), Nonfiction, 266 pages

"ALL SOULS is the true story of an Irish family in Boston, Massachusetts. The author was one of
six children. There was no father in the house and the mother was not the perfect picture of motherhood. However, there was a strong bond between the mother and this son, and in our discussion, we explored our bonds with our own children Our group members live about twenty minutes outside of Boston and many of us are Irish, so we all could relate to this book on so many levels. The book described growing up in the city, with issues such as the Irish mafia and bussing, and members recalled these incidents. Those of us who were too young to remember, really enjoyed what everyone else shared. The bottom line was that this was an interesting story that we all related to.The fact that it was true was the icing on the cake."

Paired with: A menu based on the colors of the Irish flag: ricotta pie (white), sweet potato casserole (orange), and broccoli salad (green).

The Saturday Morning Pre-Oprah Book Club of Dalla, Texas recommends:
THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Nicole Krauss (w. w. Norton & Company, 2005), Fiction, 252 pages

"This is a hauntingly beautiful novel about two characters whose lives are woven together in
such complex ways that even after the last page is turned, the reader is left to wonder what really happened. The book spans a history of sixty years, moving from Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe to present-day Brighton Beach. The central character is Leo Gursky, a retired locksmith who immigrates to New York after escaping SS officers in his native Poland. His story is interwoven with that of 14-year-old Alma Singer, who lives with her widowed mother Charlotte and 10-year-old brother Bird (who is convinced he may be the Messiah). Loneliness, loss and love tie the characters together in surprising ways. It’s such a complicated plot that we spent most of our discussion sorting out how everything fit together and appreciating the poignant beauty of the writer’s language and descriptions."

The Evening Book Club (Harris County Public Library, Barbara Bush Branch) of Spring, Texas, recommends:
THE SPEED OF DARK by Elizabeth Moon (Ballantine, 2003), Fiction, 352 pages

"THE SPEED OF DARK was a different choice for us. This book was listed as science fiction(which most in the club won't read) because it takes place a few years in the future when there is a cure for autism. The story takes you inside of the mind of a high-functioning autistic man who is asked to undergo a new, experimental treatment designed to cure autism. Most autism is corrected at birth, but Lou was born too soon to benefit from that procedure. He has a good life, a good job, and many friends. Will the ‘new’ Lou remember the ‘old’ Lou? Is being normal worth the risk? If the cure will change who you are fundamentally, should you take the chance? We talked about several other issues: the accommodations made in the workplace for these workers, and their friendships, fights, and sexual attractions."

Classics (Teen) Book Club of the Harris County Public Library in Cypress, Texas, recommends:
REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier (1938), Fiction, 448 pages

"How would you like to be constantly compared to your predecessor, especially one in
marriage? The nameless young heroine marries the cosmopolitan Max De Winter and moves into his household on the country estate Manderley, not long after his first wife Rebecca has died. Can the heroine ever fill the shoes of the beautiful, talented Rebecca? Or, does she even want to? A twist to the story lets us know, but we must wait until the very end. Everyone in the group, female and male, enjoyed reading this 1938 gothic novel, and for the first time in 4 years we’ve had a 100% approval rating for a book. Mystery, intrigue and romance kept us glued to the storyline from the famous first sentence, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” until the surprise ending. Character analysis occupied a majority of the discussion. The 1940 Alfred Hitchcock thriller by the same title won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941."

The Reading Hearts of Media, Pennsylvania, recommends:
THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak (Knopf, 2006), Fiction, 560 pages

"This is a story about a German family in Nazi Germany, but the narrator is Death. This book gives a different perspective of Germany during the war. It shows the horrors of war but also how it affected the German people who did not support it: those who were sympathetic with the Jews and tried to uphold their values and morals. The main character is a young girl, and her love for reading sustains her and others through many harrowing experiences. The unique perspective of Death as the narrator gives this book a fresh and unusual look at a topic that has been the theme of many other literary works.

Paired with: Pea soup, which the characters in the book ate, and sandwiches on dark bread, a luxury they did not have.

Fall, 2006

The Book Divas of Marlton, New Jersey, recommend:
THE KNOWN WORLD by Edward P. Jones (Amistad, 2003), Fiction, 400 pages

"What type of leadership is best in a situation where blacks own blacks? It amazed us to consider a person, black or white or otherwise, who could actually own another individual, let alone consider a person who has seen or experienced slavery first-hand becoming a slave owner themselves. Some slave owners chose to be hard-edged while others were much more easy-going and friendly to their slaves. Does an easy-going, friendly approach make owning slaves "okay"? We all liked this book because it opened our eyes to a whole world that we were unaware of, and made us think about the many ways people bend rules to fit their own situations. We also discussed the cover design and how the author used an actual map from a slave family."

Paired with: Southern fried chicken, collard greens, sweet potato casserole, grits with corn bread, and pecan pie from a Southern bakery.

Portola Hills Book Group of Trabuco Canyon, California, recommends:
HOW TO BE LOST by Amanda Eyre Ward (MacAdam/Cage, 2004), Fiction, 290 pages

"There's a bit of a mystery and twist to the plot in this story of three sisters and the disintegration (in a way) of the family after the youngest girl goes missing at the age of five. The narrator is the oldest daughter as an adult and the family is trying to bring closure to this tragedy that happened so long ago. We appreciated how the author developed the characters: they all seemed so believable, even the few oddballs. We found the book’s structure – with two story threads subtly woven together - intriguing, and we discussed how the book’s use of letters tied all the many characters together in a way that kept some of us wondering right up until the very end."

Paired with: Gumbo and peach martinis (since the narrator lives in New Orleans and tends to drink).

The Book Club of Austin, Texas, recommends:
THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger (MacAdam/Cage, 2003), Fiction, 518 pages

"We all enjoyed this book and our excellent discussion. A good discussion point was whether the time-travel element adds or detracts from the story. In other words, would the story be a good love story if it had been told in a linear fashion? There is the always-waiting aspect of the story – the girl/woman never knows when her boy/man is going to disappear or reappear in her life, and whether he’ll come in the form of a boy or man, in the past or the future. Is this just a cute gimmick or does it actually instruct us in any way or give us insights into relationships or the human heart or state of mind?"

Mintz, Levin Literary Discussion Group of Boston, Massachusetts, recommends:
THE GARDENS OF KYOTO by Kate Walbert (Scribner, 2001), Fiction, 288 pages

"This is a stunning first novel about a young woman coming of age in the period between World War II and the Korean War. The novel provided one of the best discussions our group has had. The recurring themes of deception and secrecy were explored, as each character was guilty of either keeping or revealing secrets. We considered what it was like for women who were pregnant and unmarried during this period, and we discussed other ways in which women of that era were constrained by cultural norms and expectations. One of the more interesting discussion points was about Kyoto's historic gardens, and the ways in which the various gardens were metaphors for other themes in the book. One of the characters conducts a campaign to protect the most famous garden in Kyoto from being bombed. Our group wondered what, in America, would we consider such a natural treasure that we would protect it above all others from destruction?"

Ravenous Readers of Vero, Beach, Florida, recommends:
TALES OF A FEMALE NOMAD: LIVING AT LARGE IN THE WORLD by Rita Golden Gelman (Crown, 2001), Nonfiction, 320 pages

"This account of very different cultures and parts of the world is fascinating. The author lives in Central America for a few years, and then she goes to Bali, where she rents a room for many years and learns the country's language and culture. She also uses Bali as a base to travel to other, less developed locations in Indonesia. In a sense, she creates a new family for herself from those she meets abroad, and the personal connections she makes shows that travel is as much about people as it is about places. The book depicts the situation many middle-aged women find themselves in--empty nest and divorce-- and shows that for some women those endings open the door to freedom, travel, and an entirely different life. We found that message inspiring, although we also realized that not everyone would embrace the option she chooses."

WOW (Women of Words) of Green Valley, Arizona, recommends:
FIRST MOTHERS: THE WOMEN WHO SHAPED THE PRESIDENTS by Bonnie Angelo (William Morrow, 2000), Nonfiction, 451 pages

"Our book club really enjoyed FIRST MOTHERS. Angelo, a veteran reporter and writer for TIME, gave factual accounts of the presidents' mothers along with colorful background information. The book is fairly long so we divided the chapters among our members with each reviewing one of the mothers. We discussed how each mother was a "pusher" for success. Education was stressed in their homes. The biggest difference seemed to be money. Some were from impoverished but hardworking environments and others were from wealthy backgrounds. After all the mini-reviews we had a general discussion and discovered that we all had read more than our own assigned chapter."

Paired with: a fruit pie from the chapter on Richard Nixon's mother, "Fifty Pies Before Breakfast." "(Nixon's mother used to get up very early and bake fifty pies to sell in their roadside market. Nixon would drive the truck into the city at the crack of dawn (or earlier!) to pick up supplies, and spend the pre- breakfast hours with his mother cutting fruit, rolling dough, and baking the pies.)"

Thoreau Reading Group of Concord, Massachusetts, recommends:
WILL IN THE WORLD: HOW SHAKESPEARE BECAME SHAKESPEARE by Stephen Greenblatt (Norton, 2004), Nonfiction, 386 pages

"We were overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of Greenblatt's knowledge of Shakespeare and his ability to write in such an accessible manner. Most of us learned an enormous amount about Shakespeare and the world he lived in. We discussed Shakespeare's religion, writing processes, business sense, family relationships, sexual orientation, and, most of all, his impact on the theater and his ability to produce plays that still feel current and relevant. We were also struck by the number of new words that Shakespeare created in his work."

Bookenders of Lee's Summit, Missouri, recommends:
SO BIG by Edna Ferber (1924; Harperperennial, 2000), Fiction, 272 pages

"At the age of nineteen, Selina finds herself teaching in a farm town outside of Chicago after the loss of her father. Having grown up accustomed to finer things, she is now living in a farmhouse without conveniences. She marries a widower and after a few years, becomes a widow herself with a young son, and is determined to raise him to be successful. Ferber writes of all classes of people in turn-of-the-century Chicago: the poor, the farmers, the working class, a woman in a man's world, and the rich. We talked about the physical characteristics Ferber refers to in people, such as their hands, their smile, their eyes. Ms. Ferber was a noted feminist, and in this book she made her female characters strong and at times controlling. Money was another strong theme. The characters who earn their money, respect it, and those who inherit money, do not. Ms. Ferber's small book has more details, characters, themes, and layers, than most books written today. A must read."

Paired with: apple desserts to reflect the book's farm setting, including apple pie and applesauce spice cake

Summer, 2006

The Book Club of San Diego, California, recommends:
THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeanette Walls (Scribner, 2006), Nonfiction, 304 pages

"We were unanimous in our enthusiasm for this provocative memoir. Jeanette Walls's story of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family is both engaging and uplifting. We appreciated Walls's matter-of-fact style as she tells about her childhood experiences with an intelligent but alcoholic father, and an irresponsible mother who the doctors in our group believe was probably mentally ill. We discussed whether court intervention could have helped this family. The resilience and resolve of the children in this story are impressive, and make this book uplifting rather than depressing. The book also made us feel that, as parents, we ourselves are doing pretty well!"

The Bookwomen of Encinitas, California, recommend:
MARCH by Geraldine Brooks (Viking, 2005), Fiction, 288 pages

"Our group agreed that it was quite bold for a contemporary author to undertake writing a companion book to a classic like LITTLE WOMEN - and that she did so successfully. Based on the diaries of Bronson Alcott, the novel LITTLE WOMEN, and extensive Civil War research, MARCH allowed us a glimpse into the familiar story of the March family from a completely different perspective. We enjoyed our discussion of how Reverend March's high ideals impacted his decisions, and ultimately his family. The familiar historical figures and events, from key figures of the Transcendentalist and Abolitionist movements to the gruesome realities of the Civil War, lent the book a sense of depth and vitality. After reading MARCH, we all viewed Marmee and her daughters a little differently, and some of us went back and re-read LITTLE WOMEN."

Paired with: a dinner of grilled summer vegetables (eggplant, peppers, portobello, onion, zucchini, and yellow squash), corn pudding, and a garden salad, all in keeping with Reverend March's vegetarian sensibilities, and boysenberry-apple pie for dessert.

Ladies of the Lake Book Group of Encino, California, recommends:
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See (Random House, 2005), Fiction, 272 pages

"SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN is a beautiful, enchanting, sometimes sorrowful story of two young women growing up in nineteenth-century China, and the friendship they develop that sustains them throughout their lives. Snow Flower and Lily meet at the age of seven and despite isolation and repression manage to communicate in a secret written language called 'nu shu.' Our group was reminded of the oppression of women for centuries and in all cultures, and the crucial role female friendship has played in giving women solace and in helping them advance. The period detail, especially as it relates to foot-binding, is emotionally charged. A 'must-read' for women!"

Danner's Books Mystery Book Club of Muncie, Indiana, recommends:
BONE COLD by Erica Spindler (Mira, 2001), Fiction, 512 pages

"Anna North survived an attack by a madman twenty-three years ago in which the attacker cut off her little finger. Anna has become a writer of thrillers, but she writes under a pen name and finally feels safe. Then the letters from a disturbed fan start to arrive and a very close friend of hers disappears. Could her past be linked to the disappearance of her friend and the murder of three women in New Orleans? Our group was intrigued by the fact that, even after twenty- three years, Anna still wasn't safe from the madman. The book left you with the feeling that even though you take precautions, if someone wants to do you harm, they will find a way. We talked about how believable the characters were and how well Spindler developed them. This was a real page turner - you had to read just one more page before going to bed."

Paired with: Homemade peach - bone cold - ice cream.

Spring, 2006

The Weaver Library "Mostly Fiction" Book Club of East Providence, Rhode Island, recommends:
THE COFFEE TRADER by David Liss (Random House, 2003), Fiction, 400 pages

"David Liss was a new author for us, and most agreed that his work was a delicious find! This is an historical novel of investment intrigue presenting both male and female characters who are lively, complicated, driven, and mysterious in a setting so vivid that members felt they could smell the teeming streets and canals of 17th century Amsterdam. The novel's plot captured us with its multi- layered twists and turns, raising moral and ethical questions applicable to today's financial markets and dealings. It revolved around a community of Portuguese Jews who had escaped from the Inquisition, a subject about which members wanted to learn more. Finally, Liss's use of language excited us with several members reading aloud the elegant sentences they wanted all of us to remember."

Paired with: Dark Chocolate Coffee Beans (one of the characters in the book chewed them)

The Thomas Jefferson Book Club of Falls Church, Virginia, recommends:
THE SHADOW OF THE WIND by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Penguin, 2004), Fiction,
496 pages

"This wonderful novel with many layers takes place in Barcelona beginning in 1945. Everyone in our women's book group loved the book. We discussed how our perception of Lain Coubert changed as we discovered who he really was, and that re-reading passages we once thought were sinister could actually make his character appear sympathetic. We had an extended book discussion because different people would bring up an aspect that the rest of us missed and we wanted to hear more."

Paired with: Spanish foods (tapas) - Spanish olives, serrano ham, manchego cheese, chorizo, almonds, dried apricots, magdalenas, Maria cookies and non-alcoholic sangria

The Martha's Vineyard Reading Group of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, recommends:
SUMMER by Edith Wharton (Bantam, 1917), Fiction, 224 pages

"Edith Wharton is well known for her major works that fully describe the New York social strata that she inhabited. The less well-known SUMMER is so amazingly complete, and the characters so well formed because Edith Wharton understood people and human behavior. She did have a way of knowing and understanding the working class, and it occurred to us that when she was building the gardens at her home in Lenox, Massachusetts she knew the workmen and knew what their family lives were like. Thus stories such as ETHAN FROME and SUMMER are not contrived, or 'a stretch', but ring true. Our reading group loved SUMMER,and it gave us an enjoyable and memorable evening's conversation and discussion."

East Regional Library Travel Book Club, Knightdale, North Carolina, recommends:
MCCARTHY'S BAR: A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN IRELAND by Pete McCarthy
(St. Martin's Griffin, 2003), Nonfiction, 352 pages

"We loved McCarthy's account of his return to West Cork, where his travels around the South and West of Ireland culminate in a pilgrimage to the ancient retreat Lough Derg. We were fascinated by the pilgrimage he did at the end, recreating the fasting and prayers that the knights went through. We enjoyed our discussion of the tourism McCarthy describes versus preserving the natural charm of the area."

Paired with: Homemade Irish Pudding with Caramel Sauce, Kerry Apple Cake, Irish Breakfast Tea, Irish Soda Bread and Irish Butter

Winter, 2005

The BBC (Breakfast Book Club) of West Hartford, Connecticut, recommends:
SATURDAY by Ian McEwan (Nan A. Talese, 2005), Fiction, 304 pages

"This was our first co-ed book discussion. Our husbands love political thrillers and this book, which spans 24 hours in the life of a neurosurgeon on his day off, took place during London's anti-war rallies. Our hostess displayed a map of London and traced all the stops the protagonist made during the day."

Paired with: Poached salmon and chilled shrimp (the protagonist served fish to his guests) and all the wines mentioned at the end of the novel.

The BookEnds of Glencoe, Illinois, recommend:
DEATH OF INNOCENCE: THE STORY OF THE HATE CRIME THAT CHANGED AMERICA by Mamie Till-Mobley and Christopher Benson (Random House, 2003), Nonfiction, 320 pages

"This true story highlights the role that author Mamie Till-Mobley played as a leader in the civil rights movement in the 1950s. We all were teenagers when Emmett Till was killed and we still vividly remember the incident, which took place in nearby Chicago. This book deals with faith, values, family support, courage, determination, and a mother’s devoted love."

The Falmouth Newcomers "Secret Bees" of Falmouth, Massachusetts, recommend:
SISTER OF MY HEART by Chitra Divakaruni (Doubleday, 1999), Fiction, 336 pages

"This story takes place in India and, as you read, you can almost smell the mangoes growing! The main characters, two girls, know each other from birth and continue to be best friends through childhood and into their marriages. We loved the friendship and sisterhood that they shared."

Paired with: An appetizer of nuts roasted with chili (chat), tandoori chicken salad, raita, coconut rice, and yogurt pie.

The Brandeis Thursday Night Book Club of Newington, Connecticut, recommends:
THE DEW BREAKER by Edwidge Danticat (Knopf, 2004), Fiction, 256 pages

"Set in 1960's Haiti and present day New York, this novel revolves around a loving family man with a terrible secret. The book appears to be a series of unconnected short stories until you realize that the main character(s) in one story are minor characters in another. We discussed the lack of communication among the characters and whether or not we found hope in the book. This is a very serious book, one that makes you think and feel outside your own world."

Fall, 2005

Long Branch Public Library Book Discussion Group of Long Branch, New Jersey, recommends:
SERVING CRAZY WITH CURRY by Amulya Malladi (Bantam, 2004), Fiction, 272 pages

"A story about a modern Indian woman stuck between the life she wants to live and the traditional Indian life her family expects her to live. The story revolves around her developing passion for cooking and the healing that this new passion brings her and ultimately her family, and is mixed with descriptions of her recipes as they relate to her varying moods."

Paired with: curried lamb, fruit chutney, and black tea.

East is East Literary Discussion Group of Washington, DC, recommends:
THE BOOK OF SALT by Monique Truong (Houghton Mifflin, 2003), Fiction, 272 pages

"We discussed the concept of 'salt' and its various meanings and interpretations, as well as the issue of marginality. One of the main points of the book is that marginalized people don't necessarily have anything in common, or they may have competing aims and interests. For example, quite a few of the main characters are gay, and you might think that means they have a lot in common. However, there are other distinguishing, and perhaps overriding layers, such as gender, race and nationality."

Paired with: Vietnamese fare at Minh's in Arlington, Virginia, including spring rolls, lemongrass satay sticks, fried rice, and Saigon beer.

Second Sunday Book Club of McComb, Mississippi, recommends:
ISAAC'S STORM: A MAN, A TIME, AND THE DEADLIEST HURRICANE IN HISTORY by Erik Larson (Crown, 1999), Nonfiction, 336 pages

Note: Book club member Christy Keirn sent this recommendation along with her report on Hurricane Katrina.

"This is a nonfiction account of the 1900 hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, and the story of the man, Isaac Cline, who was the meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau in the area. Some of the miscalculations (the magnitude of the storm was underestimated) were eerily similar to what happened in New Orleans. Cline's personal tragedy and the guilt he felt were just incredible and make for a moving discussion. Thankfully, the loss of life here will not be as great as in the Galveston hurricane, where 6,000 people died, but the town of New Orleans, like Galveston, might never be the same."

Spring, 2005

The Unnamed Book Club in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, recommends:
WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA by Carlos Eire (Free Press, 2003), Nonfiction, 400 pages

"This is a memoir of a young Cuban boy growing up during Castro's revolution, who was separated from his parents and airlifted out of Cuba to the United States. The book is beautifully written, almost poetic with its dream-like memories and metaphors."

Paired with: pineapple rum cake

"Just Here For the Food" Book Club of Goffstown, New Hampshire, recommends:
THE MASTER BUTCHER’S SINGING CLUB by Louise Erdrich
(HarperCollins, 2003), Fiction, 400 pages

"Fidelis Waldvogel grew up during World War I and the war haunted him throughout his life. We liked reading of how he came to America and made a life here, bringing some of the old European traditions with him, including his work as a butcher and memories of the singing clubs of his past. We’re sure that the many twists and turns in this novel will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the night as it did our members!"

Paired with: German chocolate cake, German potato salad, kielbasa and sauerkraut, potato and cabbage stew, and St. Pauli Girl Beer.

The Gourmet Readers of Attleboro, Massachusetts, recommend:
LOST HORIZON by James Hilton, (Pocket, 1933), Fiction, 240 pages

"Written in the 1930s, LOST HORIZON foreshadows dire things to come (war and devastation), and explores Eastern philosophy and ideas which seemed so new twenty or thirty years ago. You'll find some interesting thoughts on meditation, aging, the art of 'moderation,' and of course, a description of Shangri-La."

Food recommendations: Chinese food, because the book is set in Tibet, especially Pomelos (an Asian grapefruit), which are mentioned in LOST HORIZON.

BBB Book Club of the San Francisco Bay Area recommends:
WHEN THE EMPEROR WAS DIVINE by Julie Otsuka (Knopf, 2002), Fiction, 160 pages

"We all felt that Otsuka’s story of local Japanese being taken to internment camps during World War II went right to the heart. She set up the difficult scenario of a mother preparing to be wrenched into the unknown without her husband by her side (he had already been taken prisoner and sent to an unknown location). The descriptions were exquisitely simple and yet full of irony. After reading the book group members researched the period and visited internment sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. We were surprised to find just how wide the hysteria from the bombing of Pearl Harbor had stretched."

Paired with: a traditional Japanese lunch - homemade sushi, fresh fruits, tea.

Winter, 2004

The Pre-Oprah Saturday Morning Book Club of Dallas, Texas, recommends:
THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL by Asne Seierstad (Little, Brown, 2003), Fiction, 320 pages

"This story of an Afghan family is told in searching detail by a Norwegian journalist who lived with bookseller Sultan Khan for three months in the spring of 2002. The book helped us awaken to the joy and abundance of our free and pampered society. We were heartened by the universality of the entrepreneurial spirit. And we enjoyed the small details, such as what it's like for a woman to move about in a burka, covered head to toe and able to see just what is directly in front of her."

The Wormies of Clearwater, Florida, recommend:
THE MANY LIVES & SECRET SORROWS OF JOSEPHINE B. by Sandra Gulland
(Touchstone, 1999), Fiction, 448 pages

"We loved this book because of its format - a diary written from a woman's point of view [Napoleon's wife]. We liked that it's historical fiction and a little bit slutty, too. It features a strong woman working in the shadows of a strong man, and really describes the times they were living in."

Paired with: French cheeses with crackers, French wine, croissant sandwiches, fresh fruit, and Napoleons.

The Yet Unnamed Book Club of Viroqua,Wisconsin, recommends:
CROW LAKE by Mary Lawson (Dial, 2002), Fiction, 304 pages

"There is so much in this book--children surviving the traumatic loss of both parents; the older son giving up his chance at an education to keep the family together; the rivalry between the two brothers that escalates into a frightening physical battle in their home; an ominous situation with a neighboring family. What we loved about this book is that it made us re-think our own perceptions and opinions. It made us think and feel very deeply."

Reading Moms Book Club of Antioch, California, recommends:
WICKED by Gregory Maguire (Regan Books, 1995), Fiction, 416 pages

"WICKED tells the story of Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. We are drawn into a world so unlike the story we've all grown up on. Painted as a purely sympathetic character, she grows up to set out and make the world a better place by battling the forces of evil. The hostess had several of the many versions of THE WIZARD OF OZ for us to flip through. WICKED will rock your world. We gave it our highest marks...5 out of 5 stars."

Paired with: "Devilish Concoctions," including Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Rum Sauce and a dip set inside the head of Frankenstein and a punch made with floating gummy worms and spiders.

The Wine & Words Book Club of Chicago recommends:
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, ONE CHRISTMAS & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR by Truman Capote (Modern Library, 1996), Fiction, 128 pages

"These stories contain all the hallmarks of great literature distilled to their essence -- what Capote achieves in the space of these few pages many authors would need hundreds of pages to match. I re-read this collection every other year, and I never fail to marvel at Capote's ability to evoke time, place, and emotion in these stories."

Paired with: fruitcake, because much of the story in A CHRISTMAS MEMORY involves Capote baking holiday fruitcakes.

Fall, 2004

Portola Hills Book Club of Orange County, California, recommends:
FUNNY IN FARSI: A MEMOIR OF GROWING UP IRANIAN IN AMERCIA by Firoozeh Dumas (Villard, 2003), Nonfiction, 208 pages

"This is a memoir of a Persian woman who moved to America as a child, but had extended family here who had also immigrated from Iran. It is a heart-warming, funny immigrant tale with some profound truths at its core."

Paired with: Mediterranean Chicken Salad, steamed asparagus spears, fresh fruit, baklava and divan (a pistachio candy from Turkey).

Dallas Gourmet Book Club of Dallas, Texas, recommends:
THE PURSUIT OF ALICE THRIFT by Elinor Lipman (Random House, 2003), Fiction, 288 pages

"A humorous book that looks at the life of very serious Alice Thrift, M.D., a surgical intern who does not have much in the way of social skills. Lipman deftly weaves in themes of sex roles in social and professional relationships as well as looking at the ways we treat each other in our friendships and families. We laughed a lot while discussing this one!"

Paired with: fudge brownies because Ray, the boyfriend, is a carnival fudge salesman.

No Boys Allowed (NBA) of Miami recommends:
THE DEATH AND LIFE OF CHARLIE ST. CLOUD by Ben Sherwood
(Bantam, 2004), Fiction, 288 pages

"Although it deals with difficult topics of love and death, this is ultimately an inspiring book full of hope for anyone who has ever experienced loss. We absolutely loved this book!"

Paired with: a clambake (to evoke the book's Massachusetts setting) and a drink called "orange cloud" in honor of the protagonist in the book, Charlie St. Cloud.

Erika Gardiner's book club of suburban Boston recommends:
GOING TO THE SUN by James McManus (Picador, 2004), Fiction, 352 pages

"Going to the Sun is a very powerful story about a woman who decides to face a previous trauma in her life and the ongoing difficulties of being diabetic. It is a great book for discussion about new beginnings, health, trauma, graduate school, biking and music. We did not have a thematically related menu, but two of us made CDs for everyone which contained music mentioned in the book. That went over really well!"


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