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Did you know that there are books that appear on more than one of the Top 5 Book Clubs’ book lists? In fact, there are three books that appear on two of the lists. If that’s not a sign that these are 3 books that every book club should read, what is?
Here are three books to suggest to your book club and add to your own ‘to read’ list now.
1. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
If you haven’t yet read this book, you’ve most likely heard of it. Published in 1970, The Bluest Eye was Toni Morrison’s debut novel. The story takes place after the Great Depression. It is an explicit & graphic depiction of a young African-American girl’s development into womanhood.
While not an easy or light read, the writing and notable themes and perspectives in this book are what most likely landed it on two of these reading lists. At its core, The Bluest Eye is about the oppression of women including racial oppression. In April 2000, Oprah selected this as the 35th book for Oprah’s Book Club. The strong thematic elements and storytelling continue to stand the test of time. This book was selected again as the 23rd pick for Read with Jenna in December 2020.
2. The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson’s memoir was published in 2015. Covering many timely and complex topics including marriage, pregnancy and identity, this book quickly landed on multiple lists. The Argonauts was pick #31 for Between Two Books. In May 2016, Emma Watson selected this book as the fifth read for Our Shared Shelf. And last but certainly not least, a third list this book is on is the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award winner’s list!
3. This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
First published in 2013, This is the Story of a Happy Marriage was selected in October 2017 as the fifteenth pick for Our Shared Shelf. One month later, Reese Witherspoon made it her sixth book pick in November 2017. Our Shared Shelf and Reese’s Book Club share similar themes when it comes to book club picks. It should be no surprise that this book ended up on both of these lists. This book of essays blends literature and memoir. Ann Patchett shares lifelong experiences including relationships, hard work, writing and even opening a bookstore!
These are 3 books that every book club should read. But there are actually four books that appear on more than one of the Top 5 Book Clubs’ lists at this time. While not necessarily an official Our Shared Shelf pick, this bonus suggestion does appear on that list and one other.
Bonus: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Comprised of eight stories, Her Body and Other Parties was published in 2017. A winner of the Shirley Jackson Award and a National Book Award for Fiction finalist, this collection explores many forms of violence that are inflicted on the female body. Whether it’s physical, societal or psychological harm caused by others or oneself. With the haunting approach to strong feminist themes, this pick landed (officially or not) on both the reading lists for Our Shared Shelf and Between Two Books in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
We will be adding these to our list of book club reading suggestions. And even to our own ‘to read’ lists. How about you? Has your book club read any of these books? Will you be adding any of them to your club or personal ‘to read’ lists?