The new year has begun and those book clubs that took a break in December have reconvened and are reading and discussing again. So what did everyone read in 2007?
The top choice for last year was Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. I had a feeling it would be the top choice for 2007 when I wrote about it in my February blog. At the time it seemed like every book club wanted to read it. It’s also no surprise the number two selection was The Glass Castle, a memoir by Jeannette Walls. The Glass Castle is Walls’ unsentimental tale of life with a set of very eccentric parents. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See followed closely behind in popularity. Published in 2005, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is still in demand by book clubs. Set in 19th century China, this haunting tale of love and friendship among women is filled with historical details of customs and rituals that women endured and practiced. This novel is sure to be a book club favorite for many years.
Although fiction titles are still the most popular choices for book clubs, there were a few favorites among non-fiction books. Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire continues to be a popular choice for clubs. Eire’s memoir of his childhood in Cuba before the revolution was the National Book Award winner for 2003 in nonfiction. Becoming Justice Blackmun by Linda Greenhouse was another favorite. Greenhouse is a NY Times reporter who covered the Supreme Court and had access to Justice Blackmun’s papers. Her book details the story behind some of the most famous court cases of the last century and the part Blackmun played in those decisions.
If your club missed one of the top choices for last year, keep them in mind for this year. And don’t forget the upcoming WestportReads. There’s still time to request copies for your book club of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Check out the list of programs we’ll be having centered on this classic favorite. Even if you read it as a child, you’ll find lots to enjoy, think about, and discuss this time around. If you need multiple copies or a discussion guide for any of these books, contact me.