As book groups meet and plan for the year ahead, we've had several requests for reading suggestions.  With an abundance of new publications (many of which I read in galley form during the summer), and so many book group 'classics' from which to choose, we decided to present two lists, each featuring six books that should provide a great options for your group in the coming months.
This is Part I (Sept - Feb) of our Books for Book Groups; next week, we'll have Part II (Mar - Aug).

SIX PICKS... Books for Bookgroups -  BOOK GROUP CLASSICS

1. MIDDLESEX by Jeffrey Eugenides. Every book group begs for another MIDDLESEX.

2. THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. I describe this as a life-changing reading experience.

3. A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest Gaines. This book will be read, discussed, and taught beyond the rest of our lives.

4. TORTILLA CURTAIN by TCBoyle. One of my couples' book groups had the liveliest discussion ever about this book.

5. EVIDENCE OF THINGS UNSEEN by Marianne Wiggins. This book is a hit with couples' book groups, men's book groups, and women's book groups. Perfect!

6. THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Nicole Krauss. This is a stirring, soulful novel that will break your heart-and then mend it.

SIX PICKS... Books for Bookgroups -  BRAND NEW BOOKS

1. HOMER AND LANGLEY by ELDoctorow is brilliantly conceived, gorgeously written, and a mesmerizing, imaginative rendering of the historical Collyer brothers.

2. THE GIRLS by Lori Lansens could have been tasteless and grotesque, but instead is a tale of kindness, love , and the off things life throws at us, no matter our circumstances.

3. EXILES IN THE GARDEN is by Ward Just, a master at blending the personal and the political; he's one of the most astute writers of American fiction today.

4. STILL ALICE, an extraordinary debut novel by Lisa Genova, is significant; it's beautiful and terrifying, a moving and vivid depiction of life with early onset Alzheimer's. One of my book groups said that this should be required book group reading.

5. BORDER SONGS by Jim Lynch is an irresistible coming-of-age fable, dappled with lyricism, briny honesty, and good humor.

6. HALF BROKE HORSES, the long-awaited true-life novel by Jeanette Walls, is the story of her grandmother, and it's told in a voice so authentic and compelling that the book is destined to join THE GLASS CASTLE as an instant classic.