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The last book of our crime and mystery fiction book discussion season was The Ghost Writerby John Harwood.  For me, it was the ideal way to go out–with a bang.  Or a whiteboard. Once before my book discussion group encounter a convoluted novel with an enormous character list and it required me to use the [...]

Frederik Pohl’s Gateway is psychological science fiction, taking us as deep into the psyche of its main character as it takes us into space. The unfortunately names Robinette Broadhead, who otherwise goes by Bob, meets up with his robot analyst, whom he calls Sigfrid von Shrink, to talk about and avoid his past. Bob is [...]

In preparing for an upcoming book group that will look at the theme of travel, I decided it was time to get acquainted with Bruce Chatwin. I’m glad I did. He’s a fascinating subject. An English writer and adventurer, Chatwin got his start as an art expert at Sotheby’s, but work-related eye problems sent him on [...]

I recently read Tina Fey’s memoir, Bossypants, and I found it a fantastically funny, entertaining read. Told in episodic essays, Fey relays her unexpected rise in the ranks of theater to improv to “Saturday Night Live” to her show “30 Rock.” But what has stayed with me the most, and what has been much discussed [...]

I always wanted Sherlock Holmes for a hero, but frankly he annoys me. As a kid, I was rather proud of my brain, and I badly wanted to join in the celebration of the detective who champions the power of the mind. Then and now, something always gets in the way: I don’t really like the stories. My gripes [...]

Misha’s recent posts about the “Seattle Reads” program involving Little Bee prompt me to write about my own experience discussing this powerful novel with the Adult Reading Round Table Literary Fiction group. Here are some of the aspects of the book that intrigued our circle of readers:  Chris Cleave’s ability to create the voices of [...]

I was a long-time fan of Donald Westlake until his death in 2008. His Dortmunder novels–funny, shaggy-dog heist stories that read like the extended version of Murphy’s Law–are classics of the genre, probably the best caper series ever written. I’ve always intended to try them, but I’ve never cracked the books of Westlake’s pseudonymous alter [...]

My apologies for being so late to get this up. I’ve been sucked into a stack of books from which I thought I might not emerge. This year’s Book Expo America in New York City convinced me I don’t ever want to miss it again. Two years ago, I felt overwhelmed and, frankly, kinda ignored [...]

If you like historical romance, then you will enjoy Ciji Ware’s A Race to Splendor. Set during and following the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, A Race to Splendor is a perfect blend of politics and tension, featuring a tempestuous romance between two complex, well-drawn characters. I found Ware’s book on our new [...]

I am poetry impaired.   Of course you already know that if you memorized my column from January 27, 2009, when I sang the praises of Billy Collin’s poetry collection, Ballistics, Now I am back to do the same for Horoscopes For the Dead, his latest collection of poetry.  Billy Collins is a former Poet Laureate [...]

In Kristen Den Hartog’s Water Wings, a woman is set to re-marry, and her family isn’t quite sure how they feel about the decision. Beautiful Darlene is one of those women who seems to skip from man to man.  Her two grown daughters, their aunt, and their cousin all narrate chapters describing family secrets and [...]

I’m always looking for an exceptional youth or young adult novel to offer my book groups. These books are almost always exceptionally well written. To me, that means lovably flawed characters who experience realistic changes in their lives, compelling story lines, and lively pacing. Of course, these are the hallmarks of any good discussable book. [...]

I desperately need a book discussion group. It needs to be on the title Spiral Jetta: a Road Trip Through the Land Art of the American West by Erin Hogan.  I decided to read this book because I am about to embark on a highball run from Milwaukee to Santa Monica whereupon I plan on [...]

Every book group selection doesn’t have to be serious or depressing or controversial (i.e, an “Oprah” book). I just stumbled upon a new award for literature and I’m finding some funny and discussable titles to consider for next year. The award is called the Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. The winner was announced on [...]

Here’s a scenario I’ve seen in two book groups in which I’ve participated: Most of the members are dedicated fiction readers, but a few nonfiction fanatics have slipped into the mix, perhaps starting to attend with a spouse or joining the group because they couldn’t find the kind of group that they really wanted. In my [...]

I’ve never actually had an author come to one of the book discussion groups I’ve been in or moderated.  I’m curious to know what others’ experiences with this are. Does the presence of an author make readers uncomfortable, unable to give any criticism of the book?  Or does it make them too giddy to do [...]

It’s my ongoing quest to convince more book groups to take on plays as part of their reading schedule. Plays are a quick read for months when your readers don’t have lots of reading time. Reading part or all of the play aloud at the meeting can be a rewarding and entertaining experience, certainly a [...]

This week Lisa Belkin, who writes the New York Times‘ Motherlode blog, announced a new book club devoted to parenting books. Once a month she’ll select a book, write about it, and invite readers to comment. She’ll also chat with the writer.You can read more about the Motherlode Book Club  here.

One of the lovely things about our ever-changing technological world is that now, instead of just telling people about our Seattle Reads programs with Chris Cleave’s Little Bee, I can truly share it. There are podcast recordings posted for Chris Cleave’s recent visit to Seattle as well as for a couple of the supporting programs. [...]

Purely out of curiosity – do you check to see if your discussion choices are available for Kindle or other eBook readers?  In my women’s group, more than half of us have devices – all Kindles.  Several others read on their iPhones occasionally.  I love that at the end of our discussions, when we pick [...]