There’s nothing worse than joining a Reading Group only to discover that you don’t enjoy reading the books on the reading list. If the books are too dull or too intimidating or too simplistic, you’ll end up either not reading them at all or leaving the group. Any Reading Group worth its salt will allow you to have some influence over the choice of books the group is going to read, so make the most of the opportunity and ensure that the list includes some titles you can really get your teeth into. Try to pick books that are well-written, not too long, challenging but not intimidating, and with themes, characters and ideas that could provoke plenty of discussion. You can never be sure that everybody in the group will enjoy every book on the list, but these tried and tested Reading Group classics, together with some discussion starting points, should ensure that you have plenty to talk about…
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Atonement Ian McEwan |
In a nutshell: A thoughtful and provocative novel about the very nature of storytelling and the disastrous consequences of a young girl’s overactive imagination.
Discussion starting points:
- Briony’s changing role as a storyteller
- Why does Briony lie?
- Reality in the novel
- Does Briony atone for her sins?
- The narrative voice
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The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini |
In a nutshell: A heartbreaking story set in Afghanistan about the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant.
Discussion starting points:
- The nature of Amir and Hassan’s friendship
- The significance of the novel’s title
- Friendship, forgiveness and love in the novel
- Who suffers the most?
- Does Amir redeem himself?
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The Moonstone (Penguin Classics) Wilkie Collins |
In a nutshell: “The first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels.” (T.S.Eliot)
Discussion starting points:
- The effect of the Indian narrative frame
- The shifting narrative perspective
- The role of detective in the novel
- The importance of truth and how it is uncovered
- The role of women
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One Day David Nicholls |
In a nutshell: A humerous and heartwarming exploration of friendship and love over the course of 20 years.
Discussion starting points:
- The effect of the annual narrative
- Why does it take Dexter and Emma so long to admit their true feelings?
- Can a single man and a single women ever truly be ‘just friends’?
- How do the characters develop over the 20 years?
- Did the ending come as a shock?
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Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro |
In a nutshell: A shocking reality is gradually revealed in this haunting story of a seemingly idyllic school life.
Discussion starting points:
- How realistic is the premise of the novel?
- Is this a science –fiction novel?
- Tragedy in the novel
- What is it to be human?
- The moral implications of the novel
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The Book Thief Markus Zusak |
In a nutshell: A startlingly original novel about an illiterate 9-year-old girl living in Nazi Germany, narrated by Death.
Discussion starting points:
- The narrative viewpoint
- Friendships and love in the novel
- The effect of Zusak’s poetic writing style
- Recurring themes: irony, guilt, abandonment
- Is this a novel for adults or for children?
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My Sister’s Keeper Jodi Picoult |
In a nutshell: Jodi Picoult tackles the moral implications of a girl conceived specifically so that she could be a bone marrow match for her older sister – and that girl’s controversial decision.
Discussion starting points:
- Is Sara a good mother?
- The effect of the multiple viewpoints
- The conflict between the rational and the emotional
- Can designer babies ever be ethical?
- Is justice served in the novel?
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Mark Haddon |
In a nutshell: An autistic teenage boy embarks on a quest to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a neighbourhood dog.
Discussion starting points:
- Seeing the world through Christopher’s eyes
- How effective are the maps and diagrams in the novel?
- The importance of truth in the novel
- Christopher’s relationships with his parents
- What sort of future does Christopher have?
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Rebecca (Virago modern classics) Daphne Du Maurier |
In a nutshell: A young, innocent bride moves into the magnificent but sinister mansion Manderley, where she begins to uncover the truth about the death of her beautiful predecessor.
Discussion starting points:
- The heroine’s lack of identity
- The role of Mrs Danvers in the novel
- The role of Manderley
- The character of Rebecca – her power, influence and true nature
- Does justice prevail at the end of the novel?
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The Time Traveler’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger |
In a nutshell: The unforgettable and innovative love story about the involuntary time traveler Henry and his wife Clare.
Discussion starting points:
- How convincing is the concept of time travel in the novel?
- The narrative timeline
- The significance of the title
- Is the story fatalistic?
- Is the ending satisfactory?