<p>I am looking for a book for my book group to read. Someone recommended “The Reluctant Parting” by Julie Galambush. The book is religious in nature. The group members range from born-again christians to liberal reform jews. Anyone read it?</p>
<p>I haven’t read 'The Reluctant Parting." I just finished reading “Nectar In A Seive” by Kamala Markandaya. I thought it was wonderful. Originally published in 1954, this is the story of a peasant woman in Indian who married at the age of 12 and lived a life of hardship and love.</p>
<p>I think if you choose this book your book group may never be the same again! Although that depends on the personalities and tolerances of the members. I think if it is your choice I would choose something less devisive unless you know that the members will enjoy argumentative discourse.</p>
<p>A book that my group recently read and enjoyed, sparked lively debate. The book is Arranged Marriages by Chitra Divakaruni, a series of short stories on the outcomes of arranged marriages and modern living in the US as experienced by young women from India. Beautiful and memorable.</p>
<p>Zadie Smith’s “On Beauty” was another popular one. Great discussions.</p>
<p>“Prep” would be apropos because of where we are posting but it’s a lite read. </p>
<p>“The Crimson Petal and the White” by Michel Faber was a tragic/sexy/period piece read that the group enjoyed. </p>
<p>We also did a summer long re read of all the W. Somerset Maugham books starting with the “Razor’s Edge”. </p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>A substantive/divisive/fascinating/fictional/exagerated but still true to life read related to what we are doing here would be Tom Wolfe’s “I am Charlotte Simmons.” I couldn’t put it down and found myself thinking about it when not reading and frequently recommending it to friends.</p>
<p>I haven’t read the book asked about in the OP. Sounds interesting.</p>
<p>One of the better discussions my book group ever had was over “Nickel & Dimed: On Not Getting By In America” by Barbara Erenreich. It’s a pretty quick read. Not every liked the author or agreed with her conclusions but it was a really interesting and thought-provoking set of experiences she talked about.</p>
<p>I’m busily scratching down the books mentioned here. Thanks!</p>
<p>I haven’t read that book, but I recently finished Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, and I think it would be a good book club possibility, if you don’t mind the suggestion.</p>
<p>From her website:
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<p>Did you read “Memoirs of a Geisha” ? Our book group just did it and it was a great discussion.
Also, our book group loves Ron Rash.</p>
<p>I just thought of another book idea, if you don’t mind. This is a play written by Peter Shaffer called Equus, and it’s dark and disturbing but an absolutely wonderful read. It raises some fantastic questions. You should definitely check it out; I cannot recommend it enough. It’s short at just over 100 pages. It raises some questions about religion (among other topics), but it is by no means religious in nature.</p>