Picky Book Club

I've been in a book club for more than 10 years. Here are some of our best picks, and we're a picky bunch.
The main criterion for this list is that the book must provoke at least 30 minutes of book-related discussion.

FICTION


The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell

Summary: I don't normally read science fiction but I loved The Sparrow. An allegorical and anthropological view of the future that is also a comment on the present, rich with human conflict and analysis. Plenty to talk about: religion, the ethics of exploration, and the durability of human relationships. Also: coffee.



NON-FICTION


Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks

Summary: Former Wall Street Journal reporter Geraldine Brooks provides a beyond-the-chador view of women living within various Islamic traditions around the world, and explains how women came to be seen as lust culprits. Also includes interesting history on an early Muslim woman warrior.
This was the inaugural book of my book club over 10 years ago and it remains one of our best picks.
 


*FTC Disclosure: I bought most of these books with my own bucks. A few were review copies (see an index of my book reviews here), but my opinions are not for sale, at least not for the price of a free book. If you click on a "Shop Indie Bookstores" link and order the book I might make a few cents, but the reason I linked to Indie Bookstores is that I adore them (my local: the fantabulous Brookline Booksmith) and I want them to survive.
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