Need a little inspiration for your next book club pick? Booksellers from some of Northern Virginia’s independent bookstores share these recommendations for engaging reads that are sure to spark great conversation.
How to Fall Out of Love Madly by Jana Casale
“A novel that shares the intertwined stories of three women in their 30s as they navigate life, love, and loss. I found myself identifying with each woman in painfully relatable ways. I laughed, cried, and celebrate as their stories unfolded.” — Tessa Cannon, The Wandering Shelf
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
“An extraordinary novel that follows the life-long friendship of two girls growing up in Iran in the 1950’s. Kamali inspires her readers to love boldly, even in the midst of revolutions, heartbreak, and new opportunities. I closed this book with a fierce admiration for female friendship and the barriers it can overcome.” — Tessa Cannon, The Wandering Shelf
LOOT by Tania James
“DC author James brings 18th-century India to life in this beautiful novel centered around a young woodcarver who is commissioned to create a giant tiger automaton, alongside a French clockmaker who helps him to hone his craft. It’s a quick read with a lot to discuss: colonialism, displacement, art, and legacy.” — Lelia Nebeker, One More Page Books
Moonbound by Robin Sloan
“A perfect blend of science-fiction and fantasy, Moonbound is an Arthurian retelling like no other. Set in a dystopian future and narrated by a historian attempting to catalogue humanity, it’s a novel of human achievement and humanity’s failures, questioning what really makes a person. Sloan is hilarious, melding thoughtful scenes with the outrageous in a way that makes his characters truly shine.” — Mallory Sutton, Bard’s Alley
Tilt by Emma Pattee
“A young pregnant woman struggles to reunite with her spouse after natural disaster strikes. Throughout her physically demanding journey, we learn of the couple’s struggles. Tilt opens up a discussion about our own relationships, regrets, joys, and milestones not yet reached. What would you do if faced with the impossible?” — Jen Morrow, Bard’s Alley
What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
“This dystopian novel by the author of Atonement has so many layers. It’s great to have a book club where you can peel back the layers and make sense of them as a group. Masterful language and a twisty plot can be appreciated by everyone, but there’s plenty to disagree on too!” — Diane Naughton, Bard’s Alley
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
