Welcome back to In The Club, a newsletter of resources to keep your book group well-met and well-read. Today, I rounded up some easy-but-great reading options for the busy holiday season. Let’s dive in!
This newsletter is sponsored by Unbound Worlds.
Build your library with a collection of classic science fiction and fantasy novels from Unbound Worlds! Fall is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to cozy up with some classics. Unbound Worlds is giving away thirty-two books from timeless sci-fi and fantasy authors like Philip K. Dick, T.H. White, Anne McCaffrey, and Samuel R. Delaney, plus some bookish swag from Out of Print! Enter for a chance to win.
Speaking of giveaways! If you won our $500 bookstore giveaway (open ’til Nov. 26), you could get a whole bunch of books for your group! Or a lot for yourself; we’ll never tell.
Philadelphia has picked its One Book, One Philadelphia read, and it’s Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson! Does your city have a read and a pick announced? I’m going to be rounding up all the ones I can find, so hit reply and let me know!
The holidays are a good time for a laugh — here’s some YA that will help. I love picking up YA and MG titles in the winter; they’re good for compressed amounts of reading time if you’re running around, they’re distracting and not too hard on your brain if you’re stressed, and they’re just so fun.
Speaking of things that are just so fun: do you need some Viking romance in your life? Here’s a great list. If anyone wants to invite me to their paired Viking romance/Vikings viewing party, I am there.
Craving some short nonfiction? Here are some great essay collections. I love discussing essays in a group because never once have we all agreed on which was the best one. Big love for Samantha Irby’s We Are Never Meeting In Real Life in particular (and you can hear her recommending her own favorite book from this year on Recommended!).
I have several friends doing NaNoWriMo, and know a few more who have specific groups set up for the writing challenge. For those who are participating and/or might just be interested in thinking about the craft of writing, here’s a list.
Can’t keep up with group reading at all for the holidays? Do a BYOB/any-book for your December (and/or January!) meeting. Here’s how one group did it.
For those of you who have more time and mindshare during the holidays, some options:
If you’re feeling contemplative about the past political year in politics, here’s an election-related reading list.
Does your group often end up yelling at characters for their poor life choices? Here are some sensible heroines to ease your frustrations.
And that’s a wrap: Happy discussing! If you’re interested in more science fiction and fantasy talk, you can catch me and my co-host Sharifah on the SFF Yeah! podcast. For many many more book recommendations (including the occasional book club question!) you can find me on the Get Booked podcast with the inimitable Amanda.
Your fellow booknerd,
Jenn
More Resources:
– Our Book Group In A Box guide
– List your group on the Book Group Resources page
next to the books that I have read and loved. There are soooo many more on this list that I can’t wait to read!)
Mean
Mother of All Pigs
Artemis
The Book of Resting Places: A Personal History of Where We Lay the Dead
The Wild Book (Yonder)
