Each January, my book group gets together to pick our reading list for the entire year. It’s a difficult task and I know for a fact that some of us have been known to get all worked up over what to suggest, etc. We makes lists, we take notes and then when the evening arrives, we are not 100% confident that the group will like what we’ve brought. There’s nothing worse than the group shooting one of your suggestions down.
I remember pitching The Road by Cormac McCarthy back in 2007. I think I read two sentences and almost everyone said that it was too dark and depressing. I, of course, read it on my own and am still in awe of it. Several of the members have since read it on their own and agree. Was it my delivery then? Did I not SELL it? It would have been a great discussion book don’t you think?
However, this year…all of my suggestions were selected (The Meaning of Night, Mister Pip, and Banker to the Poor). All were well received too. Whew! I don’t think I pitched them any differently than I do any other book. I think I was just lucky!
My group meets on January 22nd and my hands are already sweatin’. As you can see from the graphic above, I already have some titles in mind. That graphic does not truly illustrate my complete list as there are too many to list and if I really think about it, I can easily come up with at least a dozen to pitch.
Here’s where you come in. If you could choose one book to pitch, what would it be and why? We are a varied group and read a lot of different genres but we haven’t been too interested in “bubblegum” lit (my term) or romance novels. It’s also been awhile since we’ve read a classic.
You think you can help me with this? Sometimes it’s harder to come up with just one!
(Note: the format is all screwy on this post and I haven’t a clue why!)
Book Chatter 
I haven’t read any of these, but one of the NPR lists that you linked to on Friday sold me on World Made By Hand.
I haven’t read three of these, but I LOVED Matrimony and think it would be a great pick. Character driven novels are always great for conversation because you’re talking about identities and ideas instead of just what happened.
I haven’t read any of these but I have heard such good things about it. I know exactly how you feel about being shot down though. It was early this year that I had suggested Water for Elephants and it was shot down right on the spot. Since then, myself and a few gals in my club have read it and really enjoyed it. I am still a little bummed that we didn’t get a chance to read and discuss that one together though…oh well!
As much as I miss being in a ‘real’ book club, I don’t miss the choosing process! Rather, I don’t miss the people who have strong (negative) opinions… I’m almost always open to whatever.
I just read the The Road and reviewed it. I’m on the fence about it.
Sheri – I was on the fence with The Road too but the images have stayed with me. It’s a book that I think about all the time.
Oh and for anyone else posting a comment.. even if you haven’t read these books.. what is the one book that “wowed” you this year or in previous years. These titles happen to be what I am thinking about now, but they may not be when the meeting comes. I’m fickle that way.
Silly me…I just realized that I didn’t say which book I have heard a lot of good things about! ‘It’ would be Matrimony that I would choose out of the few that you have listed. My personal favorite that I read this year would have to be Gardens of Water by Alan Drew.
I am no help here because I mostly read fluff this year (my review later today? OY so not what I usually review. ) I know it’s huge, but have you done East of Eden by Steinbeck?