Now that the days are shorter and the nights are longer, it’s time to put on those fuzzy PJs and snuggle up with a good book. And what can be better than sharing these good books with good friends, as well?
This month, we’ve harvested a rich variety of reads to choose from, so whether your book club meets in person, on Zoom or in an online forum, one of these picks is sure to please.
A Woman Alone by Nina Laurin (Grand Central)
The newest psychological thriller by the author of Girl Last Seen will have you looking over your shoulder in your own living room. Home invasion victim Cecelia Holmes is starting over in a new home with her husband and daughter under the protection of the latest home-security tech. But why does she feel like she’s the one being watched? Turns out her new home is hiding some very dark secrets. “Nina Laurin’s psychological thrill ride will have you ripping through its pages at warp speed,” says PopSugar. Still unsure this book is right for you and your group? Read the first three chapters for free on the publisher’s website.
He Said What?! by Katie Beringer (LML Publishing)
Subtitled Secrets to Navigating Online Dating: Tips to Navigate the Mixed Signals, Scamsters and Schemers to Find Mr. Right, this is a perfect conversation-piece for your all-gal book club, whether your members are single or not. When her beloved husband passed away, Katie Beringer found herself suddenly, sadly, alone for the first time in nearly 30 years — during which time, the world of dating had changed radically. He Said What?! is the product of her adventures in online dating, chock full of incredible personal stories and hard-learned lessons. It’s an eye-opening look into the pitfalls and potential of finding love in a world fraught with men who are out to manipulate women’s emotions and trust — but also men who are worthy of both, if you know what to look for. Along the way, you’ll learn what it means to be cushioned, submarined, stashed, breadcrumbed, orbited, zombied and kittenfished, and the subtle red flags to look out for. Read our full review here.
Justice for Baby B by MerriLea Kyllo (Gatekeeper Press)
Minnesota, 1969. Carolyn, a young nurse, assisting with the delivery of a baby boy, watches in horrified disbelief as the doctor attempts to dispose of the newborn after recognizing the signs of spina bifida. Unwilling to let the boy die, Carolyn finds herself doing the unthinkable — kidnapping the child and concocting a web of lies to protect herself, her family and her new son, Joe. By 1998, however, Carolyn’s tenuous web of lies begins to unravel. Joe has overcome the challenges of his birth and is now an assistant district attorney and has learned the truth of his origins. He embarks on a journey for justice for both himself and the babies who came before him. But as his quest uncovers even more unimaginable truths, Joe finds himself asking if the pain of discovering the secrets of the past is worth justice after all. This is a story that poses ethical and moral dilemmas and much food for thought, so if your club loves to discuss and debate, this one’s perfect for you! Read our full review here.
How the Deer Moon Hungers by Susan Wingate
Nominee for inclusion in the 2020 National Book Awards. For fans of Where the Crawdads Sing and Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, Susan Wingate’s How the Deer Moon Hungers is “a powerful and memorable saga that is hard to put down and lingers in the mind long after the story is over,” says Midwest Book Review. Mackenzie Fraser witnesses a drunk driver mow down her seven-year-old sister, and her mother blames her. Then she ends up in juvie on a trumped-up drug charge. Now she’s in the fight of her life … on the inside. And she’s losing. A story that delves into trauma and grief and the ways they tear us apart and put us back together, this is a YA read with emotional depth for adult readers. Plus, the author has even provided some thought-provoking discussion questions for your club right on her website!
A Last Survivor of the Orphan Trains by Victoria Golden and William Walters (Orphan Books)
William Walters was little more than a toddler when his sister deposited him and his brother on a train heading to destinations unknown. William would become one of a quarter-million children from the streets and orphanages of the East Coast to be transferred via an Orphan Train to homes in the emerging West. Unfortunately, the families waiting to receive them weren’t always these children’s dreams come true — many times they were nightmares. Separated from his brother and handed over to a cruel New Mexico couple, William faced a terrible ordeal. Through his strength and resilience, however, his life became a remarkable adventure. William’s astonishing quest parallels the tumult of the twentieth century — and personifies the American Dream. Your club’s experience of this book will be enhanced by learning more about the Orphan Train Movement, viewing historical photos and reading outtake “tidbits,” all conveniently collected on Victoria Golden’s website.
The Rain May Pass by Alan Shayne (Rand-Smith)
Set in New England in the 1940s, a teenage boy falls in love with a man twice his age and soon learns more about himself than he ever imagined possible. It is a coming-of-age memoir from Alan Shayne — actor, casting director, producer, and former President of Warner Bros Television. Poignant and immensely readable, this is the story of how a self-conscious, self-doubting teenager, once clumsy and onstage in an ill-fitting tuxedo, worked his way up to one of the most powerful positions in Hollywood. Renowned film critic Rex Reed says, “I savored every page. … It was so heartfelt and honest that it broke my heart.” If your group enjoys biographies of emotionally complex people who find success on their own terms, don’t pass up the chance to read The Rain May Pass. Read our full review here.
Learn more about these discussion-worthy reads on our November Book Club Network page. Not a member of our Network? Find out how your book club can receive a free copy of each of our monthly picks here.
