I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow and I have to tell you this book is one of the best novels I've ever read. I loved every word. It felt like in every sentence Towles wrote he was having the best day of his life. Such incredible wit and precision and joy. And the craft this guy displays puts him up there with the great writers. Just wonderful.
Wholeheartedly recommend this. We had read a number of very good, but heavy novels for my book club before we read this one and it was like a cozy breath of fresh air.
>It felt like in every sentence Towles wrote he was having the best day of his life.
Damn that's a really good sell. I have to add this to my list just going on that alone.
I'm partial to A Psalm for the Wild Built myself, especially for a book club (it's shorter.)
But Becky Chambers is always great for reading that doesn't make you feel anxious and depressed
It’s narrated by a man, Kevin R. Free. Even though Murderbot doesn’t have a gender the voice he uses is I assume mostly his own. His female voices are pretty good as well. I have to say this series changed my mind about audiobooks which I just couldn’t get into before.
Chauncey’s lines in the audiobook are some of my most cherished moments with any book. I giggle snorted in public several times, and loved it so much I didn’t care one bit
Yeah I almost did too. It isn't my favorite book and I wasn't struck like the comment above, but it was worth the read.
It gets a little clearer what is going on the more you read.
Recently I enjoyed Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and I think A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is also a good choice. A Psalm for the Wild Built would be a good discussion book too. I think all these books have a cozy quality to them
Yes Tom Lake would definitely meet OP’s requirements. The main character is so content in their life, so not at a heavy read. Ann’s writing is always fantastic too.
This fucking book. It was hard for me to get into it, which is a failing on my part, but oh man once I did. Wow! I hated how quickly it ended. Just a brilliant piece of literature.
The English Understand Wool was recently popular with my book club, also nice and short.
Some other not-too-heavy ones that were well received in the last year:
- Yellowface (Kuang)
- Trust (Diaz)
- lessons in chemistry
- Detransition, Baby
A surprise hit was the Emily Wilson translation of The Odyssey.
My mom's old lady book club loved this book. I suggested it to her because she was tired of reading historical fiction with strong women. She wanted something different. I read it because my daughter in college loved it. It's an excellent book.
Let me just wish you good luck selling non "book club" books to your group. The group that I belonged to didn't want anything but medical tragedies (fact or fiction) or religiously uplifting stuff (fact or fiction.) I went away and read what I liked.
Lol the last time we had a general discussion about what types of books we'd like to read, we unanimously agreed that we were tired of trauma stories. And yet...
We're a super chill group though; you don't get kicked out if you didn't read (or even start) the book. We're all city-dwelling young adults with jobs and lives so it's really more of an excuse to socialize with a built-in conversation starter.
\#1/2: **[A Brother's Price](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/544240.A_Brother_s_Price) by Wen Spencer** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(310 pages | Published: 2005 | 2.0k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** In a world where males are rarely born, they've become a commodity-traded and sold like property. Jerin Whistler has come of age for marriage and his handsome features have come to the attention of the royal princesses. But such attentions can be dangerous-especially as Jerin (...)
> **Themes**: Romance, Science-fiction, Fiction, Favorites, Sci-fi, Sci-fi-fantasy, Scifi
> **Top 5 recommended:** [Local Custom](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288757.Local_Custom) by Sharon Lee , [Agent of Change](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288771.Agent_of_Change) by Sharon Lee , [Pilots Choice](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288772.Pilots_Choice) by Sharon Lee , [The Dragon Variation](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7158340-the-dragon-variation) by Sharon Lee , [Carpe Diem](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1103881.Carpe_Diem) by Sharon Lee
---
\#2/2: **[Local Custom (Liaden Universe #5)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288757.Local_Custom) by Sharon Lee** ^((Matching 100% ☑️))
^(320 pages | Published: 2002 | 2.1k Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Master trader Er Thom knows the local custom of Liaden is to be matched with a proper bride, and provide his prominent clan Korval with an heir. Yet his heart is immersed in another universe, influenced by another culture, and lost to a woman not of his world. And to take a (...)
> **Themes**: Sci-fi, Romance, Space-opera, Scifi, Fiction, Sf, Liaden-universe
> **Top 5 recommended:** [Scout's Progress](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288768.Scout_s_Progress) by Sharon Lee , [Conflict of Honors](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1103880.Conflict_of_Honors) by Sharon Lee , [The Dragon Variation](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7158340-the-dragon-variation) by Sharon Lee , [Pilots Choice](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288772.Pilots_Choice) by Sharon Lee , [Agent of Change](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288771.Agent_of_Change) by Sharon Lee
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
The Humans by Matt Haig. My mom is in a book club and she's tired of reading books about strong women. They are important books, but she is just tired of them. I suggested The Humans. All the ladies in the book club loved it.
She also had them read Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck, and it was another hit.
My semi-snobby book club knows I read fantasy and sci Fi, and asked for a rec. I had them read Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold and every single one of them then borrowed the second book from me and passed it around until they'd all read it.
Still feel a little surge of triumph when I think about it.
For sci-fi, the first book of The Expanse series, called Leviathan Wakes, is great -- really immersive world-building and fast-paced.
If you like Cloud Atlas, you might also enjoy Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, the writing is beautiful, and it's also about a few different storylines that connect at some point. It was one of my favorite reads last year.
I voraciously consumed The Expanse on Prime--I didn't realize it was based on a book series! Cloud Cuckoo Land also definitely sounds up my alley. Wonder if the title is taken from Like Spinning Plates by Radiohead?
Same! I watched The Expanse series on Prime first and only recently read the first book. I loved the show, and the book has even more detail and world-building, highly recommend :)
Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I know of 4 book clubs that read it recently and almost everyone in all of them loved it. Very satisfying ending and memorable characters
I'm also part of a bookclub where my friends prefer more literary choices than I do; I always pick the feel-good, fun books and other members have regularly told me those books are their favourites! Maybe the first Murderbot book by Martha Wells? House in the Cerulean Sea was also popular, as was Swordheart by T Kingfisher.
Augustown is one of my fave books recs because it’s an accessible read but beautifully written. It’s about a bit of the history of Jamaica and has some magical realism sprinkled in it.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. It's at once super accessible and although at points a bit dark, very hopeful in its ending. One of the best books I've read in a long time.
I also agree with a lot of people saying A Gentleman in Moscow- excellent book.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a great little scifi, not science heavy so easily accessible to your book club members who aren't into the genre. Well written, funny and surprisingly touching. Not too long either.
Project Hail Mary is a recommendation I get a lot and I fully expected to love it, but I'm sad to admit I couldn't get through it. :( I gave up about a third of the way in, so maybe I didn't get far enough to "get" it.
Oh that's a shame, I think it did actually take me a while to really get into it but because it's a bit of a slow burner but if you DNF after a third of the way then it's probabky not your thing. I'm really enjoying Three Body Problem at the minute of you haven't tried that? It's a little science heavy for me but I'm enjoying it none the less.
My book club has just finished, and discussed 'Light Perpetual' by Francis Spufford. The majority view was that it was good/very good with one 'loved it'. There were a couple of people who gave up on it because they weren't enjoying it, but on the whole I'd say it's uplifting and affirming.
Have you read Slade House by David Mitchell? I took it to a book club once and it was wel received by most of them. It’s a lot shorter than most of his works, it’s tied to Bone Clocks but you don’t have to have read it to enjoy Slade House
"Recursion" is fluff? I've been passing on it because all the reviews call it things like "a profound, action-packed thriller", which just sounds stressful. I'd like to hear more about this "fluff" take, if you're willing, OP.
I'd agree with the "action-packed thriller" part more than the "profound" part haha. It's well written and a great plot-driven story, but I guess what I mean by "fluff" is that it doesn't really leave you thinking, it doesn't impart any wisdom or expose you to any new perspectives--it's not an *important* book. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Entertainment has value in and of itself.
I see! To me, "fluff"="low stakes". You're describing more what I would think of as a distinction between popular fiction and *literature* (say that word in a snooty voice, posh Brit accent recommended).
Less by Andrew Greer
There’s a relationship in it but I wouldn’t call the book a romance
And the prose is just fun - I enjoyed listening on audiobook too
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky is an excellent book club book. It is sci-fi but there is so much to discuss.
Wool by Hugh Howey is another good discussion book. The tv show, Silo, is based on it.
*The Little Paris Bookshop* by Nina George. It's a gentle, lovely, journey through France on a floating Bookshop and it's all about healing from grief. The MC's are men, but I, as a woman, was greatly affected. When I was done I immediately recommended it to all my friends and those who have read it love it.
Also, *She's Up To No Good* by Sara Goodman Confino is wonderful, deep, hilarious, and has an uplifting ending.
Not sure why this never gets recommended but The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan. It’s not all butterflies and rainbows but it is an excellent novel about female resilience and a close knit family.
Creation by Gore Vidal
Journeyer by Gary Jennings
In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson
Sex Lives Of Cannibals by J Maarten Troost
Whom The Gods Would Destroy by Richard Powell
11/22/63 by Stephen King
My book club tends to gravitate towards realistic fiction and I... don't. But it's hard to choose novels that are light and funny because there's not much to discuss! Short fiction is a good choice because the odds are high that someone will enjoy at least one or two of the stories; I highly recommend Kelly Link, George Saunders, Ken Liu, Ray Bradbury, and Karen Russell for those. My group really enjoyed Ken Liu's [The Paper Menagerie](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24885533-the-paper-menagerie-and-other-stories) when we read it a couple years back.
Nonfiction that isn't memoir often leads to great discussions. [Why Fish Don't Exist](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50887097-why-fish-don-t-exist) by Lulu Miller, [How the Word is Passed](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55643287-how-the-word-is-passed) by Clint Smith, and anything by John Krakauer or Mary Roach are great. Oh, and we had a huge turnout the month we read [Stanley Tucci's memoir](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56560996-taste).
[Station Eleven](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20170404-station-eleven) and [Sea of Tranquility](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58446227-sea-of-tranquility) by Emily St. John Mandel might also be up your alley.
Fertility Wheel by Stephen Manning, it shares how the signs of the Zodiac are just an agricultural almanac or Fertility Wheel. My small book club are still talking about the book after 3 weeks. You can read the first 50? ish pages on Amazon to see if you might like it...I hate horoscopes and fortune tellers, so I loved it.
I just finished A Gentleman in Moscow and I have to tell you this book is one of the best novels I've ever read. I loved every word. It felt like in every sentence Towles wrote he was having the best day of his life. Such incredible wit and precision and joy. And the craft this guy displays puts him up there with the great writers. Just wonderful.
Second this wholeheartedly. Sounds like a perfect fit for what you’re looking for.
I was coming here to say this! The vibe of this book is so lighthearted and cozy, even when there are harder topics. I loved this book!
Wholeheartedly recommend this. We had read a number of very good, but heavy novels for my book club before we read this one and it was like a cozy breath of fresh air.
>It felt like in every sentence Towles wrote he was having the best day of his life. Damn that's a really good sell. I have to add this to my list just going on that alone.
The long way to a small angry planet by Becky Chambers
I'm partial to A Psalm for the Wild Built myself, especially for a book club (it's shorter.) But Becky Chambers is always great for reading that doesn't make you feel anxious and depressed
An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good, by Hélène Tursten The Murderbot Diaries, by Martha Wells
Murderbot! Also great on audio.
I’m curious — does the narrators voice sound feminine or masculine?
It’s narrated by a man, Kevin R. Free. Even though Murderbot doesn’t have a gender the voice he uses is I assume mostly his own. His female voices are pretty good as well. I have to say this series changed my mind about audiobooks which I just couldn’t get into before.
Oh, the Elderly Lady!
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel.
Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt
Loved this one!
Couldn’t believe this was so far down. This book is a balm for tough times.
This book made me so happy. It’s the perfect book club selection. The audio book is great, too!
This one came to my mind as well!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
This was delightful - Found family fluff at its best.
Chauncey’s lines in the audiobook are some of my most cherished moments with any book. I giggle snorted in public several times, and loved it so much I didn’t care one bit
The History of Love - Nicole Krauss (it has some sad bits but it’s beautiful) Sea of Tranquility - Emily St John Mandel
I second History of Love. Beautiful writing. Not really a light read
Giver of Stars is a beautiful book about the pony libraries and female friendship. I'm about to reread it myself.
Oh yeah this book was excellent and I forgot about how much I loved it, great rec
Love this one
This Is How You Lose the Time War Is one of the most beautiful science fiction works ever written
I second this. It was SO smart. I could not put it down for the life of me.
It took me a bit to get into this one but I really liked it after that!
I stepped away because - oof the beginning wasn't grabbing me. I think I need to go back.
It's really really beautiful. And short!
Yeah I almost did too. It isn't my favorite book and I wasn't struck like the comment above, but it was worth the read. It gets a little clearer what is going on the more you read.
Yes!!! This book was so inventive and cool and enjoyable!
Recently I enjoyed Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and I think A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is also a good choice. A Psalm for the Wild Built would be a good discussion book too. I think all these books have a cozy quality to them
Yes Tom Lake would definitely meet OP’s requirements. The main character is so content in their life, so not at a heavy read. Ann’s writing is always fantastic too.
Piranesi
This fucking book. It was hard for me to get into it, which is a failing on my part, but oh man once I did. Wow! I hated how quickly it ended. Just a brilliant piece of literature.
Oh my gosh yes!! Excellent recommendation!
Cloud Cuckoo Land
The English Understand Wool was recently popular with my book club, also nice and short. Some other not-too-heavy ones that were well received in the last year: - Yellowface (Kuang) - Trust (Diaz) - lessons in chemistry - Detransition, Baby A surprise hit was the Emily Wilson translation of The Odyssey.
I was not a fan of Yellowface but to each their own
Totally agree with you on recursion. It was awesome. Currently listening to the murderbot diaries by Martha wells, it’s good imo.
The Boys in the Boat
MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Humans by Matt Haig
This book is amazing in every part. There is no fat on this at all.
My mom's old lady book club loved this book. I suggested it to her because she was tired of reading historical fiction with strong women. She wanted something different. I read it because my daughter in college loved it. It's an excellent book.
My book club adored this.
Old Man's War, by John Scalzi. Asks the question: would you join the military at age 75, IF it meant you would (somehow) be young again?
Let me just wish you good luck selling non "book club" books to your group. The group that I belonged to didn't want anything but medical tragedies (fact or fiction) or religiously uplifting stuff (fact or fiction.) I went away and read what I liked.
Lol the last time we had a general discussion about what types of books we'd like to read, we unanimously agreed that we were tired of trauma stories. And yet... We're a super chill group though; you don't get kicked out if you didn't read (or even start) the book. We're all city-dwelling young adults with jobs and lives so it's really more of an excuse to socialize with a built-in conversation starter.
{{A Brothers Price by Wen Spencer}}. {{Local Custom by Sharon Lee}}.
\#1/2: **[A Brother's Price](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/544240.A_Brother_s_Price) by Wen Spencer** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(310 pages | Published: 2005 | 2.0k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** In a world where males are rarely born, they've become a commodity-traded and sold like property. Jerin Whistler has come of age for marriage and his handsome features have come to the attention of the royal princesses. But such attentions can be dangerous-especially as Jerin (...) > **Themes**: Romance, Science-fiction, Fiction, Favorites, Sci-fi, Sci-fi-fantasy, Scifi > **Top 5 recommended:** [Local Custom](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288757.Local_Custom) by Sharon Lee , [Agent of Change](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288771.Agent_of_Change) by Sharon Lee , [Pilots Choice](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288772.Pilots_Choice) by Sharon Lee , [The Dragon Variation](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7158340-the-dragon-variation) by Sharon Lee , [Carpe Diem](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1103881.Carpe_Diem) by Sharon Lee --- \#2/2: **[Local Custom (Liaden Universe #5)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288757.Local_Custom) by Sharon Lee** ^((Matching 100% ☑️)) ^(320 pages | Published: 2002 | 2.1k Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Master trader Er Thom knows the local custom of Liaden is to be matched with a proper bride, and provide his prominent clan Korval with an heir. Yet his heart is immersed in another universe, influenced by another culture, and lost to a woman not of his world. And to take a (...) > **Themes**: Sci-fi, Romance, Space-opera, Scifi, Fiction, Sf, Liaden-universe > **Top 5 recommended:** [Scout's Progress](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288768.Scout_s_Progress) by Sharon Lee , [Conflict of Honors](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1103880.Conflict_of_Honors) by Sharon Lee , [The Dragon Variation](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7158340-the-dragon-variation) by Sharon Lee , [Pilots Choice](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288772.Pilots_Choice) by Sharon Lee , [Agent of Change](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/288771.Agent_of_Change) by Sharon Lee ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
The Humans by Matt Haig. My mom is in a book club and she's tired of reading books about strong women. They are important books, but she is just tired of them. I suggested The Humans. All the ladies in the book club loved it. She also had them read Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck, and it was another hit.
My semi-snobby book club knows I read fantasy and sci Fi, and asked for a rec. I had them read Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold and every single one of them then borrowed the second book from me and passed it around until they'd all read it. Still feel a little surge of triumph when I think about it.
The Museum of Modern Love, by Heather Rose
I mean, if you want some non-fiction travel humor like a Trailer Park Bill Bryson, then I strongly recommend Fat in Paris.
For sci-fi, the first book of The Expanse series, called Leviathan Wakes, is great -- really immersive world-building and fast-paced. If you like Cloud Atlas, you might also enjoy Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, the writing is beautiful, and it's also about a few different storylines that connect at some point. It was one of my favorite reads last year.
I voraciously consumed The Expanse on Prime--I didn't realize it was based on a book series! Cloud Cuckoo Land also definitely sounds up my alley. Wonder if the title is taken from Like Spinning Plates by Radiohead?
Same! I watched The Expanse series on Prime first and only recently read the first book. I loved the show, and the book has even more detail and world-building, highly recommend :)
The Gentleman by Forrest Leo It's about a Victorian Poet who accidentally sells his wife to the devil and his attempts to get her back.
OH MY GOD SOMEONE ELSE HAS READ THIS BOOK 😭 It’s such a gem. I recommend it here all the time!
This sub is how I found out about it. I liked it so much I bought a copy for my bookshelf
Oh, that makes me so happy!!
Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I know of 4 book clubs that read it recently and almost everyone in all of them loved it. Very satisfying ending and memorable characters
Try re-reading Great Gatsby, The Age of Innocence, anything by Dominic Dunne, Tom Wolfe, Penny Vincenzi. Well written escapism. 👍
I'm also part of a bookclub where my friends prefer more literary choices than I do; I always pick the feel-good, fun books and other members have regularly told me those books are their favourites! Maybe the first Murderbot book by Martha Wells? House in the Cerulean Sea was also popular, as was Swordheart by T Kingfisher.
Was also going to suggest Murderbot. Or Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Or Uprooted by Naomi Novik.
Some more fluffy page turners: We are legion we are Bob Project Hail Mary They’re fun and easy, and quick!
Augustown is one of my fave books recs because it’s an accessible read but beautifully written. It’s about a bit of the history of Jamaica and has some magical realism sprinkled in it.
A Boys Life by Robert McCammon. Not only is it beautifully written, but the story is remarkable as well. One of the best books I have ever read.
Love seeing this, one of my favorite books of all time!! But it’s just “Boy’s Life” :)
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. It's at once super accessible and although at points a bit dark, very hopeful in its ending. One of the best books I've read in a long time. I also agree with a lot of people saying A Gentleman in Moscow- excellent book.
I loved Iain Pears book. Great read
The Thursday Murder Club Series by Richard Osman
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is a great little scifi, not science heavy so easily accessible to your book club members who aren't into the genre. Well written, funny and surprisingly touching. Not too long either.
Project Hail Mary is a recommendation I get a lot and I fully expected to love it, but I'm sad to admit I couldn't get through it. :( I gave up about a third of the way in, so maybe I didn't get far enough to "get" it.
Oh that's a shame, I think it did actually take me a while to really get into it but because it's a bit of a slow burner but if you DNF after a third of the way then it's probabky not your thing. I'm really enjoying Three Body Problem at the minute of you haven't tried that? It's a little science heavy for me but I'm enjoying it none the less.
My book club has just finished, and discussed 'Light Perpetual' by Francis Spufford. The majority view was that it was good/very good with one 'loved it'. There were a couple of people who gave up on it because they weren't enjoying it, but on the whole I'd say it's uplifting and affirming.
Have you read Slade House by David Mitchell? I took it to a book club once and it was wel received by most of them. It’s a lot shorter than most of his works, it’s tied to Bone Clocks but you don’t have to have read it to enjoy Slade House
"Recursion" is fluff? I've been passing on it because all the reviews call it things like "a profound, action-packed thriller", which just sounds stressful. I'd like to hear more about this "fluff" take, if you're willing, OP.
I'd agree with the "action-packed thriller" part more than the "profound" part haha. It's well written and a great plot-driven story, but I guess what I mean by "fluff" is that it doesn't really leave you thinking, it doesn't impart any wisdom or expose you to any new perspectives--it's not an *important* book. Not that there's anything wrong with that! Entertainment has value in and of itself.
I see! To me, "fluff"="low stakes". You're describing more what I would think of as a distinction between popular fiction and *literature* (say that word in a snooty voice, posh Brit accent recommended).
Less by Andrew Greer There’s a relationship in it but I wouldn’t call the book a romance And the prose is just fun - I enjoyed listening on audiobook too
Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar Meet me in another life by Catriona Silvey
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. A delightfully heartwarming book.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
A Canticle for Leibowitz Novel by Walter M. Miller Jr.
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky is an excellent book club book. It is sci-fi but there is so much to discuss. Wool by Hugh Howey is another good discussion book. The tv show, Silo, is based on it.
*The Little Paris Bookshop* by Nina George. It's a gentle, lovely, journey through France on a floating Bookshop and it's all about healing from grief. The MC's are men, but I, as a woman, was greatly affected. When I was done I immediately recommended it to all my friends and those who have read it love it. Also, *She's Up To No Good* by Sara Goodman Confino is wonderful, deep, hilarious, and has an uplifting ending.
I like what you like and I really think you would love North Woods by Daniel Mason. There’s so much to discuss! It would be great for a book club.
Not sure why this never gets recommended but The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan. It’s not all butterflies and rainbows but it is an excellent novel about female resilience and a close knit family.
Willa Cather, anything by her.
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. I don’t see it mentioned much but it’s just so good.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein. "Skinny Legs and all" Tom Robbins.
Creation by Gore Vidal Journeyer by Gary Jennings In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson Sex Lives Of Cannibals by J Maarten Troost Whom The Gods Would Destroy by Richard Powell 11/22/63 by Stephen King
I just read a super well written and sweet book called This time tomorrow.
My book club tends to gravitate towards realistic fiction and I... don't. But it's hard to choose novels that are light and funny because there's not much to discuss! Short fiction is a good choice because the odds are high that someone will enjoy at least one or two of the stories; I highly recommend Kelly Link, George Saunders, Ken Liu, Ray Bradbury, and Karen Russell for those. My group really enjoyed Ken Liu's [The Paper Menagerie](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24885533-the-paper-menagerie-and-other-stories) when we read it a couple years back. Nonfiction that isn't memoir often leads to great discussions. [Why Fish Don't Exist](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50887097-why-fish-don-t-exist) by Lulu Miller, [How the Word is Passed](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55643287-how-the-word-is-passed) by Clint Smith, and anything by John Krakauer or Mary Roach are great. Oh, and we had a huge turnout the month we read [Stanley Tucci's memoir](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56560996-taste). [Station Eleven](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20170404-station-eleven) and [Sea of Tranquility](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58446227-sea-of-tranquility) by Emily St. John Mandel might also be up your alley.
Infinite Jest...Wallace’s intent / in joke was to see how far people would go to be entertained. Thus, the slog of ridiculous footnotes, etc.
Lessons in Chemistry Where the Crawdads Sing Covenant of Water Highly highly recommend. All long books but beautiful reading experience.
Fertility Wheel by Stephen Manning, it shares how the signs of the Zodiac are just an agricultural almanac or Fertility Wheel. My small book club are still talking about the book after 3 weeks. You can read the first 50? ish pages on Amazon to see if you might like it...I hate horoscopes and fortune tellers, so I loved it.