5-Star Reads for Book Clubs
I founded the Fergus Falls Public Library’s book club 14 years ago. In that time we’ve discussed 166 books, a mix of fiction and nonfiction. I’ve gathered recommendations for book clubs looking for their next great read, or for the casual reader. These books are enjoyable to read and generate great discussion. You can see the library book club’s upcoming schedule on our website.
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
Helen has returned to her hometown after living for 60 years in Australia. Her son and husband have died, and she feels alone. One night she picks up an aquarium her neighbor has put out by the trash, and she discovers a small mouse. With the mouse, Helen’s world is opened up in surprising ways. It was heartwarming to learn about Helen and see her become a part of the community. This is a quick read, 226 pages, about the importance of love and social connections. Even those who don’t like mice agreed that we had some of our best discussion over this book.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
In the months leading up to Christmas 1985, Bill Furlong, living in a small Irish town with his wife and 5 daughters, goes about his days managing a coal business. His family has enough to get by, but just barely. At the end of the day when he gets into bed, he talks with Eileen about the “small things,” like giving a ride to the boy walking barefoot in the rain, whose father drinks the family’s money away. One day he is delivering coal to the convent when he discovers a girl in the coal shed, clearly left there overnight. The church runs his small town, including the school for girls, where he wants his daughters to be educated one day. Is there anything he can do to help the girl, or the others like her: young, unwed mothers dumped by their families at the convent? This is a short read about building your moral compass, and choosing kindness and helping others where you can. Short reads are great book club picks for busier seasons of life.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Phoebe is ready to end it all. After years of failed infertility treatments, her husband leaves her during COVID for a fellow professor. Phoebe spends the next semesters alone, teaching remotely, hurting for human connection. She books herself a night at the nicest hotel she can think of, on the coast of Rhode Island, prepared to end her life. However, when she gets to the hotel, she finds that the rest of the hotel is booked by a wedding party. Lila and Gary are getting married, and their family and friends have taken over the hotel. Soon they take over Phoebe’s heart as well. I loved this clever, funny book about the power of human connection. Perfect for fans of “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. The library’s book club will discuss this in August.
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
This novel opens in Jamaica with a young woman fleeing her wedding by diving into a perilous stormy sea. Her wedding dress is found, the wedding cake smeared down the front of it. Her father despairs. Wilkerson jumps back and forth in time between Jamaica in the past and siblings Eleanor and Byron in the future, mourning their mother and learning about her past. Wilkerson’s writing is a treat to read and I still think about this book years later.
The Great Fergus Falls Minnesota Cyclone by Lance E. Johnson
This is a well-researched, detailed account of the tornados that went through Fergus Falls on a sweltering day in June, 1919. Johnson identifies where people were and what happened to them when the tornadoes hit. Compellingly written, this is a great choice to learn local history and change things up for your book club.
Looking for more book club suggestions? You can go to bit.ly/ffplbooksread to see the entire list of what the library book club has read.
Katelyn Boyer is the Adult Services Librarian at the Fergus Falls Public Library