A House in the Sky | The Goldfinch | The Telling Room | David and Goliath | Eleanor & Park | Thank You for Your Service | Slim Aarons: Once Upon A Time | Humans of New York | New York Rooftop Gardens
My friend Grace recently emailed a bunch of ladies she knows in NYC with the idea to start a book club. I was immediately game. For one thing, I’ve never been a part of a book club, yet read frequently, and it also seemed like a great way to meet some new peeps. Win win!
Our first meeting is this week, and we’re discussing this book. Ahem…I may or may not have finished it yet, but nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the conversation (and the wine!) anyway. The way our book club works is that the hostess picks the next book we read; Hitha’s also in the club and has selected this book next (food + France = I can’t wait).
It’s gotten me to research new books that have hit hit the market to see what I might want to request, and what I’ll just download to my iPad to read over the holidays. I’ve slowly made my way through the last list I did (note to anyone who’s ever thought about seeing a therapist: just read this book for at home self help, seriously), so I figured it was time to put together a new one with a special slant for book club ideas. But this being the holidays and all, I also ended up bookmarking a bunch of coffee table tomes, one of which I’m stoked to be getting this Christmas (my family is horrible at keeping gifts a true surprise!). Coffee table books seem to be on my wishlist every single year. I firmly subscribe to the belief that you can never have too many — the key is to look for ones that are unique and/or truly speak to you. After all, they’re kind of like big bricks of art you’ll keep around your home!
Have you read any of these? What’s currently on your nightstand?
I’m half way through David and Goliath, and it’s right up there with Malcom’s previous books as being extremely insightful and thought provoking. I especially like this one as I think we all can relate to the content. We’ve all been the underdog at some point in our lives. We’ve all made choices that unbeknownst to us at the time, rerouted us from our intended path. I can see this sparking great discussion, especially after a glass or two of wine!
I was looking for new reads so I need to bookmark this post. I read Eleanor & Park and it is the sweetest.
I’ve been wanting to read the Expats, so I’d like to know what you think of it when you finish! The Goldfinch is supposed to be great, so that’s on my list of books to read too. And I always like Malcolm Gladwell’s stuff, so that’d be a good choice too. I just started The Book Thief, which is good so far.
A NYC book club with some amazing bloggers – I want to join!! (No, but seriously!) Haha
I just read The Expats and I loved it, definitely worth getting to the end! I’m in the middle of The Other Typist right now which is really good as well.
I hope so! (@Laura @Chaotic Domestic this is in response to your comment too…) I’m having a bit of trouble plowing through it like I thought I would. I don’t really love the writing style, so I’m hoping the end makes it worth the slog :)
I’m so excited for tomorrow, and I really really want the Humans of NY book.
I’m currently reading David & Goliath. Gladwell is my favorite author. Highly recommend! I’ll have to check out some of these other titles.
EvannClingan.com
A fitness & lifestyle blog
I love this list. I am in a NYC book club too… and at least in my club, we don’t worry too much if you don’t finish the book. :) Once the wine gets flowing, you end up forgetting about the book anyway.
Enjoy!
Mastering the Art of French Eating is a delicious read!
I just purchased The Goldfinch on my Kindle. It’s a really long book so I was reluctant, but it has great reviews! Are you on GoodReads.com? I usually read cheesy romances, but I’d love to gather recommendations from others! My profile is here: https://www.goodreads.com/theonetheonlyg. :)
The Golfinch is amazing — one of my favorite books this year! (I write a book blog)! I also recommend Eleanor & Park that you have above but you should consider Night FIlm by Marisha Pessl, the Love Me with Lies series by Tarryn Fisher and Left Drowning by Jessica Park (all my favorites from this year!)
I’ve had a book club brunch going with some friends for a few months now, and regardless of whether we all always read the book or not, it’s such a fun way to get together and challenge ourselves to step back from the computer for a while to get into an actual, non work-related book!
This is a great idea- I’m looking forward to seeing what you ladies read and hearing your thoughts!
Not gonna lie…I am a HUGE fan of picture books. ;)
http://happinessiscreating.com/
How niceee! i want from my husband at Xmas a picture book:D at least one:D
How fun! A few friends and I recently started a book club and we have such a great time every time we gather. Plus, it forces me out of my reading comfort zone since we all have different tastes and we each get to pick a book.
I just started The Expats and so far I’m liking it. Eleanor & Park was one of my favorite reads this year so I highly recommend it if you’re considering reading it. I’ve heard great things about Thank You For Your Service (well, I’m biased, because the company I work for published it :), so I would read that too. Mastering the Art of French Reading is also on my list (food + Paris? sign me up!) and hopefully I’ll get to it soon. I hadn’t heard of A House in the Sky but the cover really intrigues me so I’ll definitely be checking that one out!
o nice! i needed some book club suggestions for our group! i picked a dud this month (dad is fat… its VERY sappy and not really funny. ah well…)
Thanks for your recommendations! I loved The Book Thief that someone else mentioned.
http://www.asequinloveaffair.com
Looks like I need to pick up the Goldfinch (maybe February’s book club pic?). The writing style of the Expats wasn’t my favorite, but I did love the story and the plot. Can’t wait for next month’s Francophile night!
Yay! I am always looking for good book ideas. My book clubs in the past have all ended up leaning more toward the gossip and food, and less on the book discussion…
LOVED A House in the Sky. I’m recommending that to everyone I know.
I haven’t read The Goldfinch yet, but Donna Tartt is always amazing.
Just finished A Constellation of Vital Phenomena which was an incredible novel. I also loved Behind the Beautiful Forevers which is non-fiction but reads just as easily as fiction.
Everyone should read Eleanor & Park. Its such a moving and well written book.