If you’re keeping track, I’m now apart of three book clubs. And I love it! I love blogging about books here, on Peonies & Bees, but let’s be real. It’s so much more fun to do so with a group of fun and charming women over delicious food and wine. Lots, and lots of wine.
We all know there will come a point before the evening concludes, that we need to decide on a book for the following month. It’s rare that anyone has a list of concrete suggestions. And me, scrolling through my jumbled list of 100+ books I want to read on GR is a bit chaotic. So I’m compiling them here, on PB so I’m ready and well organized for next time!
FIVE BOOKS THAT WOULD MAKE EXCELLENT BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
‘Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.’
This was a Book of the Month Top-5 finalist of 2017 — with obviously excellent reviews. Though I’m no longer subscribed to BOTM, I still follow what they release religiously.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
‘Pachinko follows one Korean family through the generations, beginning in early 1900s Korea with Sunja, the prized daughter of a poor yet proud family, whose unplanned pregnancy threatens to shame them all. Deserted by her lover, Sunja is saved when a young tubercular minister offers to marry and bring her to Japan.’
YES PLEASE! Anything following a family through multiple generations seems to become a winner with me. Especially since this particular family is of Asian decent, my favorite culture! Fact: I really wish I had been born & raised in Japan.
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
‘From the bestselling author of Bad Feminist: a searingly honest memoir of food, weight, self-image, and learning how to feed your hunger while taking care of yourself.’
I should probably read Bad Feminist first, but for some reason, I’m more interested in this. Mainly because I’ve struggled pretty much all my life with weight / self-image. Mostly self-image.
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true.
Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.
The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?
Swoon! Am I right?! But more than that, what’s better than a conversation about fate, destiny, and the universe with like-minded women over cheese and rosé?
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
‘A suspenseful mystery thriller about Anna Fox. A recluse in her NYC home, unable to leave the house. A new set of neighbors moves in next door, and Anna is keen on spying on them. Until one day she witnesses something completely unbelievable, and makes her question everything.’
I’m a sucker for these types of novels, and love discussing them with fellow readers. Even if the book turns out to be terrible and utterly predictable.
Pssst…feel free to borrow these suggestions for your own BC.