2003-2004 Reading Group Suggestions Book Sense 76

April 03, 2003

1. THE POISONWOOD BIBLE, by Barbara Kingsolver (Perennial, $15, 0060930535) "Kingsolver transports the reader to the Congo in 1960, as a Baptist minister and his family try to convert Africans while dealing with the explosive dynamics within the country's political situation and within their own family. Book groups especially enjoy the distinct points of view of the mother and the four daughters, which Kingsolver masterfully crafts and develops throughout the book." --Kathy Schultenover, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

2. THE RED TENT, by Anita Diamant (Picador, $14.95, 0312195516) "This richly detailed story of a family caught between two cultures, matriarchal and patriarchal, is told by Dinah, daughter of the Biblical Jacob. The Red Tent offers reading groups the opportunity to discuss women's history and families struggling with conflict." --Rita Moran, Apple Valley Bookshop, Winthrop, ME

3. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, by Tracy Chevalier (Plume, $13, 0452282152) "A young servant is asked to model for Vermeer against the wishes of the artist's wife and family. You'll find intrigue, jealousy, and an extraordinary look into the life and work of the artist from the young woman's point of view." --Donna DeLacy, Portrait of a Bookstore, Studio City, CA

4. HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG, by Andre Dubus III (Vintage, $14, 0375727345) "More than a riveting story of two people -- a formerly wealthy Iranian immigrant and a troubled young American woman -- fighting to own the same house, it is also a story of the clash of two cultures. It's an especially relevant book for discussion today, providing readers with insights into both the Muslim and American mind-sets." --Jeanne Morris, Bethany Beach Books, Bethany Beach, DE

5. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, by Arthur Golden (Vintage, $14.95, 0679781587) "Book groups will enjoy discussing the gender issues, including that the author is a man and an American and the story is told in the voice of a famous geisha. Golden convincingly portrays this exotic, mysterious side of 20th century Japan." --Margie Skinner, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY

6. THE SPARROW, by Mary Doria Russell (Fawcett, $12.95, 0449912558) "A vivid, believable tale of space exploration and first contact, seamlessly woven into a story with ethical and religious overtones. Even if you're the type to avoid science fiction, do not miss The Sparrow! It is an engrossing, intelligent recount of a mission gone horribly wrong despite all the right intentions." --Rosemary Pugliese, Quail Ridge Books & Music, Raleigh, NC

7. THE HOURS, by Michael Cunningham (Picador, $13, 0312243022) "This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel makes brilliant use of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway to interpolate the stories of three women--two set in contemporary America, the third that of Woolf herself. Beautifully written and totally engaging, we watch as the characters' lives come together and illuminate each other. It's no wonder that The Hours is a book group favorite." --Karl Kilian, Brazos Bookshop, Houston, TX

8. ANGLE OF REPOSE, by Wallace Stegner (Penguin, $13.95, 014016930X) "This book epitomizes the difference in viewpoints in America between East and West 150 years ago. A young New Englander marries a mining engineer and settles in a small town in Colorado. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel raises age-old questions about how free women are to lead their own lives and what happens to marriage when partners cannot compromise." --Carla Cohen, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC

9. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, by Harper Lee (Warner, $6.99, 0446310786; Perennial, $11.95, 0060935464) "A classic that everyone should read. Two children's exposure to racism, prejudice, friendship, and loss is tempered through the loving guidance of their father." --Liz Morgan and Jean Brandt-Lietzau, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI

10. PLAINSONG, by Kent Haruf (Vintage, $13, 0375705856) "A 17-year-old girl, pregnant and with nowhere else to turn, is persuaded to live with the two old McPherons brothers, bachelors who know far more about cattle than teenage girls. The deceptively 'plain' language and structure of this novel mask its complex view of what we owe, and what we can give, to each other. How the characters' lives are changed and their trajectories beyond the novel's close are questions you'll ponder long after you're finished reading." --Russ Lawrence, Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton MT

THE BEAN TREES (Perennial, $13, 0060915544; Harper Mass Market Paperback, $7.99, 0061097314) "A story of love, loss, family, and discovery that is often hilarious and always real." -- C.J. Trent, Moravian Book Shop, Bethlehem, PA

PRODIGAL SUMMER (Perennial, $14, 0060959037) "Full of Kingsolver’s reverence for nature, this novel ties together the story of three families living in Appalachia who have very different approaches to life. This books sparks fiery conversations." -- Jenn Fontaine, Book Rack and Children’s Pages, Essex, VT

ALL OVER BUT THE SHOUTIN’, by Rick Bragg (Vintage, $14, 0679774025) "This book begs for differences of opinion about the author’s ‘chip-on-the-shoulder’ writing style and disdain for those born to a higher station. But, mostly, it is beloved for the story of growing up from humble origins and with a loving mother." -- Jake Reiss, The Alabama Booksmith, Birmingham, AL

ANGELA’S ASHES, by Frank McCourt (Touchstone, $14, 068484267X) "This remarkable memoir of an Irish-Catholic’s torturous childhood raises numerous questions about love, family, and forgiveness that will keep reading groups busy for hours." -- Stephen Cropper, Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Memphis, TN

THE COLOR OF WATER: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother, by James McBride (Riverhead, $14, 1573225789) "A young Jewish girl from the South runs away to Harlem, marries a black man, starts a Baptist church, and raises 12 children, all of whom go on to college. This is a fascinating true story, with much to discuss." -- Kimberly Hughes, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI

THE LIARS CLUB: A Memoir, by Mary Karr (Penguin, $14, 0140179836) "Karr’s courage in being undaunted by a childhood that was heartbreaking is recounted in this mesmerizing memoir that had me spellbound. This book is sure to create much discussion in book groups." -- Tara Tye Mathison, Canterbury Booksellers, Madison, WI

PERSONAL HISTORY, by Katharine Graham (Vintage, $15, 0375701044) "Graham’s autobiography reveals her struggle to overcome a marriage that ended tragically and her courage to successfully run the Washington Post. She reveals her personal hurdles and the insider political life she led." -- Ettabelle Schwartz, The Learned Owl, Hudson, OH

REFUGE: An Unnatural History of Family and Place, by Terry Tempest Williams (Vintage, $13, 0679740244) "Williams gives us a nature essay, a critique of the atomic bomb testing that may have caused her mother’s cancer, a glimpse into a Mormon family’s life, and a moving book on grief and compassion for the dying." -- Carol Dunn, Northwind Book & Fiber, Spooner, WI

THE ROAD FROM COORAIN, by Jill Ker Conway (Vintage, $12, 0679724362) "The story of Conway’s years growing up on an Australian sheep farm, and going on to become the first president of Smith College. What a journey!" -- Lesley Kleiser, Montgomery Book Company, Cincinnati, OH

WILD SWANS: Three Daughters of China, by Jung Chang (Anchor, $16.95, 0385425473) "This is the gripping true story of three generations of strong women during the changes and upheavals of life in 20th century China." -- Terry Dallas, Armchair Books, Pendleton, OR

AHAB’S WIFE: Or, The Star-Gazer, by Sena Jeter Naslund (Perennial, $15, 0688177859) "A beautiful narrative with very distinctive voices, including one that speaks directly to the reader. Dive into the 19th century, religion, and relationships." -- Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE, by Susan Vreeland (Penguin, $12, 014029628X) "The incredible story of a Vermeer painting hidden for decades. Going back in time and illuminating the lives of the owners, this novel is great for a discussion on the importance of art and how it reflects everyday life." -- M.J. Flaherty, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

POPE JOAN, by Donna Woolfolk Cross (Ballantine, $14.95, 0345416260) "The story of a girl who takes on her dead brother’s identity, attends school, and eventually rises to the rank of Pope. It has everything you want in a novel: beautifully written descriptions, suspense, and an intriguing story line." -- Susan Danner, Danner’s Books, Muncie, IN

NINE PARTS OF DESIRE: The Hidden World of Islamic Women, by Geraldine Brooks (Anchor, $14, 0385475772) "Brooks is a journalist who gives insight into the behind-closed-doors lives of women in the Middle East." -- Rona Brinlee, The Book Mark, Atlantic Beach, FL

THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN, by Anne Fadiman (FSG, $14, 0374525641) "A fascinating look at what happens when Western medicine clashes with the cultural practices of America’s immigrant Hmong people. This book makes for great discussions about ethical dilemmas." -- Lyn Roberts, Square Books, Oxford, MS

NO ORDINARY TIME, by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Touchstone, $18, 0684804484) "A fascinating history about the influence of the Roosevelts, Eleanor and Franklin both, on the very different America that emerged after his presidency. It’s full of discussion issues about this unique pair, their relationship, and the pivotal history of that period." -- Donna Urey, White Birch Books, North Conway, NH

GALILEO’S DAUGHTER, by Dava Sobel (Penguin, $15, 0140280553) "This is an historical memoir based on letters sent to Galileo by his daughter Maria Celeste. Sobel masterfully draws from the letters to paint a picture of Galileo’s time and place." -- Michael Davis, The Alabama Booksmith, Birmingham, AL

THE PROFESSOR & THE MADMAN, by Simon Winchester (Perennial, $13, 006099486X) "This true story begins like a gothic murder mystery and then takes you on a fascinating journey exploring the making of the Oxford English Dictionary." -- Susie Fruncillo, Lake Country Booksellers, White Bear Lake, MN

SEABISCUIT: An American Legend, by Laura Hillenbrand (Ballantine, $15.95, 0449005615) "Fall in love with Seabiscuit, the horse the racing establishment ignored, and the men who helped him achieve American icon status. This true story gives an inside look at the racing industry and life in America during the WWII years." -- Arlene Morse, Hawley-Cooke Bookseller, Louisville, KY

BELOVED, by Toni Morrison (Plume, $12.95, 0452280621) "Probably one of the most thought-provoking books a group could choose. Sure to challenge a reader’s comfort with issues of race, violence, and the consequences of our choices. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and probably the book that captured the Nobel Prize in Literature for Morrison." -- Jean Westcott, Olsson’s Books & Records, Arlington, VA

THE GRAPES OF WRATH, by John Steinbeck (Penguin, $13, 0140186409) "During the Depression, the Joad family abandons the barren wasteland that is Oklahoma. When they reach California, they realize their new life will not be without struggle. A story of pain and faith, of despair and smysterious hope." -- Ben Waller, Avid Reader, Davis, CA

THE GREAT GATSBY, by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Scribner, $12, 0684801523) "A stunning exposé on how the rich lived, and changed the world in the process." -- Kathy Kitsuse, Capitola Bookstore Café, Capitola, CA

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE, by Gabriel García Márquez (Perennial, $14, 0060929790) "To understand the magic and mystic, the violence and revolt, the arduous passion and provocative ideas present in Latin America, groups should read this story chronicling a hundred years in the life of the town Macondo." -- Jenn Ramage, Capitola Bookstore Café, Capitola, CA

BEL CANTO, by Ann Patchett (Perennial, $13.95, 0060934417) "Patchett has based her novel on a true event -- the hostage situation in Peru a few years back -- but, boy, does she put a new twist on the story. I won’t reveal what happens; please read this book in your groups!" -- Roberta Rubin, The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, IL

A FINE BALANCE, by Rohinton Mistry (Vintage, $15, 140003065X) "You will be captivated by these four strangers in India whose lives are thrust together to face a corrupt government and a cruel culture." -- Michelle Brook, Warwick’s, La Jolla, CA

FUGITIVE PIECES, by Anne Michaels (Vintage, $13, 0679776591) "Rich with the language of nature, history, and art, this is about a seven-year-old boy who escapes from war-torn Poland, is adopted and nurtured by a Greek geologist, and eventually comes to terms with his past. This book leads to rich discussions about loss, memory, and redemption." -- Virginia Valentine, Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver, CO

THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS, by Arundhati Roy (Perennial, $14, 0060977493) "A wonderful first novel, set in India. Group discussions focus on Roy’s complex interweaving of a seemingly simple story." -- Wendy Leavins, Wild Iris Books, Gainesville, FL

THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, by Isabel Allende (Bantam, $7.99, 0553273914) "Beauties with green hair and children who move saltshakers without touching them mix with the overthrow of Chile’s first democracy and three generations of aristocracy and rebels. You want to linger over sentences and turn pages as fast as you can to find out what happens." -- Susan Blackwell Ramsey, Athena Book Shop, Kalamazoo, MI

INTERPRETER OF MALADIES, by Jhumpa Lahiri (Mariner, $12, 039592720X) "The first story alone will keep book groups talking for hours. Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize for this collection of short stories, all of which are inventive and assured." -- Stan Hynds, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, VT

A LESSON BEFORE DYING, by Ernest J. Gaines (Vintage, $12.95, 0375702709) "This story of a simple man’s right to dignity and faith shows us that the most important lessons are often the most difficult to teach and learn. Themes of obligation and commitment are topics that our book groups have discussed." -- Luanne Ripley Kreutzer, St. Helens Book Shop, St. Helens, OR

THE SAMURAI’S GARDEN, by Gail Tsukiyama (St. Martin’s, $12.95, 0312144075) "This coming-of-age story takes place on a small island off China, where a young man learns about loyalty, love, and strength." -- Carol Katsoulis, Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL

THE SHIPPING NEWS, by Annie Proulx (Scribner, $14, 0671510053) "Proulx transports us with her rich, detailed prose and quirky characters to the icy terrain of Newfoundland." -- Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

THE STONE DIARIES, by Carol Shields (Penguin, $14, 014023313X) "A perfectly ordinary life told in an extraordinary way. Shields uses letters, newspaper clippings, recipes, and other ephemera to spin out the story of Daisy Goodwill, a Manitoba woman born in 1905." -- Peggy Latkovich, Mac’s Backs, Cleveland Heights, OH

THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD, by Zora Neale Hurston (Perennial, $13.95, 0060931418) "Hurston’s best-known and most controversial novel is about Janie Crawford, a thrice-married spitfire of a woman living in a small Florida town. The fine citizens sit rather comfortably in judgment, ready to render their verdict on Janie’s life, but she feels absolutely no compulsion to justify her actions to them." -- Robin Green-Cary, Sibanye, Baltimore, MD

WHITE TEETH, by Zadie Smith (Vintage, $14, 0375703861) "A witty, funny, thought-provoking tale of three generations, three families, and three cultures. It is populated with memorable characters facing issues that are all the more relevant since 9/11." -- Derek McGann, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, by Cormac McCarthy (Vintage, $13, 0679744398) "In this picturesque coming-of-age novel, John Grady Cole and two companions set off for Mexico from a ranch in Texas. This National Book Award winner is a masterpiece, a gritty yet evocative western told in pitch-perfect prose; a classic quest story with broad appeal." -- Polly Moran, Dartmouth College Bookstore, Hanover, NH

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY, by Michael Chabon (Picador, $15, 0312282990) "This is the crazy New York story of a comic book empire built by artist Joseph Kavalier and his quick-thinking, deal-making cousin Sam Clay. A fast, funny, and achingly moving novel, and one that won the Pulitzer Prize." -- Kelly Medici, NYU Bookstore, New York, NY

COLD MOUNTAIN, by Charles Frazier (Vintage, $14.95, 0375700757) "A parallel narrative: Inman is seriously injured at the end of the Civil War and begins a dangerous journey home, and Ada has struggled to learn firsthand how to keep alive on her family farm. A beautifully written love story, with much to discuss." -- Robin Powers, St. Helens Book Shop, St. Helens, OR

CROSSING TO SAFETY, by Wallace Stegner (Modern Library, $13.95, 037575931X) "Already a classic, this is a pitch-perfect illumination of human relationships; an intimate examination of the lifelong friendship between two couples."-- Kristine Kaufman, Snow Goose Bookstore, Stanwood, WA

EMPIRE FALLS, by Richard Russo (Vintage, $14.95, 0375726403) "A richly satisfying tale of love, vengeance, and a small town’s decay. The reader is drawn gently and wholly into the lives of the eccentric characters, who cling to the past while hoping for a better future. Their fears, joys, and longings are universal." -- Mary Kat Watson, Sister Wolf, Park Rapids, MN

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN, by Jonathan Lethem (Vintage, $13, 0375724834) "Lethem has imagined, with wit and sympathy, a young man with Tourette’s Syndrome searching for his mentor’s killer. A wonderful book for reading groups of men and women." -- Lois Powers, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

ONE THOUSAND WHITE WOMEN: The Journals of May Dodd, by Jim Fergus (St. Martin’s, $13.95, 0312199430) "A truly original and imaginative adventure of the women chosen by the U.S. government to be given in the name of peace, and at the suggestion of Chief Little Wolf, as wives to the Cheyenne Indians." -- Nell Hanley, Armchair Bookstore, Dennis, MA

PEACE LIKE A RIVER, by Leif Enger (Grove, $13, 0802139256) "A wonderful coming-of-age story, from a 12-year-old boy’s perspective. Set in the early ’60s in the upper Midwest, this novel is the source for great discussions on religious overtones, family issues, and life in that era." -- Corey L. Hiseler, Between the Covers Bookstore, Telluride, CO

THE PERSIAN PICKLE CLUB, by Sandra Dallas (St. Martin’s, $12.95, 0312147015) "Rich in authentic
characters and whimsical perspective, this novel draws readers into the dusty life of Depression-era Kansas. Dallas skillfully portrays what is respectable, and what is scandalous, within the themes of community, individuality, and friendship." -- Claire Bolding, The Avid Reader, Davis, CA

SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS, by David Guterson (Vintage, $14, 067976402X) "History, romance, mystery -- this has it all. A huge bestseller a few years back, and great for reading groups." -- Connie Shelton, The Book Shelf, Angel Fire, NM

A THOUSAND ACRES, by Jane Smiley (Ivy, $7.99, 0804115761; Fawcett, $14.95, 0449907481) "Shakespeare in the heartland! An Iowa farmer and family patriarch makes power plays in family farm transactions, wanders through church suppers, and casts an enormous shadow over his daughters’ lives." -- Will Peters, Annie Bloom’s Books, Portland, OR

THE WEIGHT OF WATER, by Anita Shreve (Back Bay, $13.95, 0316780375) "Shreve tells the story of a
modern woman caught up in the emotional turmoil of a century-old murder on a remote island. Moody, mysterious, and atmospheric, this excels as a reading group book because it forces us to answer that most basic question: What would I do?" -- Laura Hansen, Bookin’ It, Little Falls, MN

BIRDSONG, by Sebastian Faulks (Vintage, $14, 0679776818) "Actually two books in one: the first part a love story, the second an incredibly evocative look at the horrors of WWI. Great reading for fans of historical
fiction." -- Nancy Colalillo, Tome on the Range, Las Vegas, NM

CORELLI’S MANDOLIN, by Louis DeBernieres (Vintage, $14, 067976397X) "You could spend a whole evening just discussing the different kinds of love expressed by the various inhabitants of Cephallonia; between people -- passionate and platonic, parent and child, doctor and patient -- and, of people for their homes, their gods, and all the things that make their lives worth living (and dying for)." -- Mark Ezarik, Cover to Cover, San Francisco, CA

THE ENGLISH PATIENT, by Michael Ondaatje (Vintage, $13, 0679745203) "A completely engrossing novel of romance, war, personal honor, and courage. Particularly timely, it puts a very human face on the horrors of war. A classic." -- Anne Whalen, Brookline Booksmith, Brookline, MA

STONES FROM THE RIVER, by Ursula Hegi (Scribner, $14, 068484477X) "This is not just another WWII novel, but a story of people in a small town caught in the momentum of a horrible event. Hegi’s closeness to the issue brings the story alive." -- Dorothy Sandahl, Just Thinking ... Bookstore, Hastings, MN

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED, by Tim O’Brien (Broadway, $13.95, 0767902890) "Here are some of the finest examples of writing I’ve read about war, or any other subject. O’Brien’s powerful, gut-wrenchingly honest prose brings to life the horror, both physical and mental, of the realities of war." -- Dana Schulz, Snowbound Books, Marquette, MI

A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, by John Kennedy Toole (Grove, $14, 0802130208) "Ignatius J. Reilly is an overly intelligent, obese, and more than eccentric recluse whose few excursions out from his bedroom and into the real world serve as a catalyst for the comedy that ensues. This novel will prompt discussions about the complex character motivations and relationships and the author’s real-life suicide in 1969." -- Kyle McAfee, Fact & Fiction, Missoula MT

GEEK LOVE, by Katherine Dunn (Vintage, $13, 0375713344) "A carney couple deliberately has a brood of circus freaks. To debate: the dark and wild characters, the author’s humor and writing style, and the cultural standards of freakishness and beauty!" -- Pam Harcourt, Women & Children First, Chicago, IL

CHOCOLAT, by Joanne Harris (Penguin, $12.95, 014100018X) "Set in a small French town at a time that is never totally obvious, this is a great story, with great depth of character. Bring your favorite kind of chocolate to the meeting!" -- Jane Stroh, The Bookstore, Glen Ellyn, IL

THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, by Rebecca Wells, (Harper Mass Market, $7.99, 0060502258; Perennial, $14, 0060928336) "A fast-moving tale of flaws and claws, and four lifelong friends holding each other together year after year."-- Marian Fleischman, Sedalia Book & Toy, Sedalia, MO

BEE SEASON, by Myla Goldberg (Anchor, $13, 0385498802) "Book groups will have plenty to discuss after reading this book, which combines a dysfunctional family with the mysticism of the Kabbalah and the intensity of the spelling bee circuit." -- Terry Lucas, Open Book, Westhampton, NY

HUMAN STAIN, by Philip Roth (Vintage, $14, 0375726349) "Roth is a masterful writer at his best in this story of an aging college professor and his battle with political correctness at a university. Groups can discuss how Roth manipulates the reader and how he reveals the main character’s secrets, as well as how they feel about a character who may not be likable." -- Deb Wehemeir, Garden District Book Shop, New Orleans, LA

INTO THE FOREST, by Jean Hegland (Bantam, $13.95, 0553379615) "This novel provides endless discussions about the book, society, and the circumstances of progress. We could have talked all night (and almost did)!"-- Susan Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

LYING AWAKE, by Mark Salzman (Vintage, $12, 0375706062) "Sister Joan discovers that her recent visions are actually caused by epileptic seizures. But will corrective surgery destroy her visions? This dilemma sparks discussions about the true meaning of faith." -- Jackie DeTeso, Open Door Bookstore, Schenectady, NY

MIDWIVES, by Chris Bohjalian (Vintage, $13, 0375706771) "Follow a midwife through the eyes of her daughter as she endures being put on trial for performing a caesarean section to save a child after the mother is believed to be dead." -- Grace V. Roth, Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, by John Irving (Ballantine, $7.99, 0345361792; $14.95, 0345417976) "This modern classic about friendship and faith provides plenty of fodder for discussion, plus it is just plain fun. Irving at his best -- unique, funny, and unforgettable." -- Ranae Burdette, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA

THE READER, by Bernard Schlink (Vintage, $11.95, 0375707972) "A very moving book about the current generation of Germans and how they deal with collective guilt concerning the Holocaust." -- Hester Jeswald, Sarasota News and Books, Sarasota, FL

Printer friendly version
Email this article to a friend
ABA Booksellers: Discuss this article online