Great Ideas for Book Discussion Groups

One of my favorite resources for uncovering interesting titles for book discussion groups is Great Group Reads. For the past 3 years, the organizers of National Reading Group Month have selected a list of fiction and memoir titles that they feel will have strong appeal for reading groups. Books chosen have compelling narratives and fully realized characters that are intended to promote lively discussions about timely and provocative topics. The 2011 list has just been released. If your book group is looking for a good book discussion title a bit outside the mainstream, consider one of the new Great Group Reads titles below.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb

Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu-Jaber

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

Dance Lessons by Aine Greaney

Day of Honey: A Memoir of Food, Love, and War by Annia Ciezadlo

The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell

The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell

If You Knew Then What I Know Now by Ryan Van Meter

The Memory Palace: A Memoir by Mira Bartok

My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

The Summer Without Men by Siri Hustvedt

Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson

To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal

Under the Mercy Trees by Heather Newton

When God Was A Rabbit by Sarah Winman

Wingshooters by Nina Revoyr

The Year We Left Home by Jean Thompson

You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon