Over the last 5 years, I've been in a 'Lads' Book Club' with 4 friends.
(Read on for my 3 favourite picks š)
The other lads are quite slow readers, so we only get through 4 books a year or so (I usually read about 30-50 books per year).
Still, it's a brilliant feeling (and a growing trend) to discuss fiction in a men's (or women's) circle.
Thought this might resonate with other stackers, especially as the book we just discussed was recommended by Allen Farringdon
All 5 of us are writers or actors, and all are heavy readers. Still, it's great to approach each session with no agenda, no posturing, no fear of saying the wrong thing and getting cancelled. We value stories and characters from all walks of life, even if we are all White 40-something men.
I mention the fact that it'sa men's book club because I read an article the other day about the reasons this trend is growing - accountability, real-life experience, exploring changing gender roles, and being able to be vulnerable.
My favourites books from the last few years:
- Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson.
Beautiful court room drama with WWII historical context set in a fictional island in the PNW.
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
A brilliant re-telling of David Copperfield set against the backdrop of the Deep South opiod epidemic.
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
An understated slow burn with impeccable plotting told over decades of imprisonment in Soviet Russia.
Why am I writing this?
In the hope it'll prompt a few stackers to read one of these books, or better yet, join forces and discuss the meaning of stories with other likeminded people.
No matter how many AI agents we build, human-centric fiction still has a place at the heart of our world.
What do you think? Would you join a fiction book club? What would you like to read?
I read a lot, but I have never found a book club that worked for me.
Last time I was part if one was at least a decade ago. It sounds a little like the club in which you participate almost uses the books you read together as a spark to deepen your relationships. I suppose this is something that I wasn't looking for in past attempts at book clubs. Mostly I wanted to learn about stories and how they affected people.
Perhaps what I want is a book club where the members are all reading different books.
How do you all go about choosing the books you read for your club?
I've been in various book clubs and thete is no magic formula. It always ends up with people not reading the book, chaotic meetings, power struggles or waning interest.
As with all communities, you meed a dtrong connection through identity or a shared goal to put time and effort in.
This group works well because we were already friends and all read enough that 1 specific book every 3 months is not a burden. We take it in turns to choose and ensure the books is new to all memebers.
No preconceptions about the book. No discussion until the meeting.
That's it.
Probs not. Not big into fiction (though I suppose the men's-only space would appeal to me a tad).
The only way I see myself doing this is as a help to work through the classics ā keeping me accountable and making me read them
I think with the right people (ones you vibe with), you'd be positively surprised at the conversations fiction leads to.
Even if you don't like the book, there are a lot of deep lessons and introspection to unpack.
I belong to the same age group and foresee that I would like at least one of your recommendations.
Is it just purely fiction? Iām reading Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek now
Yes, only fiction. As a fiction writer, I'm biased, but I think men really stand to gain a lot from reading more stories, especially if they can process them and discuss in a supportive group.
My wife has been trying to get me to read Demon Copperhead and the Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver. Her book club read A gentleman in Moscow last year, and we both liked Snow Falling On Cedars. Maybe you lads should merge with my wife's book club.
Haha. I loved Poisonwood Bible too. We tend to read 'book club fiction', which is literary enough to be worthy of deep discussion, but not Marcel Proust or James Joyce.
We did read Blood Meridian, which is a very manly book. I liked it!
Cormac McCarthy is manly alright. All The Pretty Horses and Suttree were great.
Thanks for the recommendations, I have been reading and buying lot of non fiction lately, I need something new in fiction
Great list. A Gentleman in Moscow is one of those books that sneaks up on you ā you think nothing is happening and then realize everything has happened.
Since you mentioned Heinlein's name isn't on there yet: if your club hasn't done The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, it's worth a session. Political revolution on a lunar penal colony, an AI that develops consciousness and a sense of humor, and a libertarian philosophy baked into the plot without ever feeling preachy. The AI character (Mike) is maybe the most human depiction of machine intelligence in all of classic sci-fi.
It also gave us the phrase TANSTAAFL ā There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch ā which has aged remarkably well.
The men's book club trend is real. There's something about discussing fiction with no agenda that opens up conversations you'd never have otherwise. Glad it's catching on.