I was surprised, but I thoroughly enjoyed this selection. I found myself comparing our book club to the "Angry Housewives" book club. I even picked up a few pointers to incorporate into our book club. I'm looking forward to discussing the book at our meeting this month.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "East of Eden," even more than "The Grapes of Wrath" (which was exceptional). The descriptive imagery intertwined with the lives of the characters brought the story to life in ways other authors only dream of creating. In my book, John Steinbeck is the master of American storytelling.

While Tolstoy’s prose is dull and annoying at times, Anna Karenina is rich with characterizations. Influenced by socio-cultural ethos or Zeitgeist, relevant reminders between then and now are needed to distinguish the archaic mores conspiring to destroy even the slightest character.

In my opinion, Tolstoy’s ruminations into Levin’s agricultural philosophy tends to interrupt the flow of the novel. I, therefore, cannot agree with Fyodor Dostoevsky that Anna Karenina is "flawless as a work of art." Perhaps a second read would be appropriate to decipher intricacies that eluded me in this reading. Regardless, I recommend reading and discussing Anna Karenina for any book club.

I truly love authors who wholly commit to their stories. There are no holds barred with Jeannette Walls's story of growing up in a dysfunctional family, and I might add a lot more dysfunctional than some and, unfortunately, a lot less than others. Some readers will be appalled, angry, horrified, sad, jubilant, the whole gamut of feelings, but I think all of us can empathize with the Walls family and applaud when some arise from the ashes.

Highly recommend Sarah's Key for lively, insightful discussion. A very quick read, but a lot packed into a small package. Very informative historical account mixed with fiction concerning the French Vélodrome d’hiver or Vél’ d’hiv’ Round-up on July 16 and 17, 1942 of 13,000, nearly a third of the 42,000, Jews deported to Poland's death camps. The book also includes a list of discussion questions.

Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series is powerfull and addictive historical fiction with no small amount of time-travel thrown in for good measure. I don't see how any book club wouldn't have a cart full of material to discuss. Ms. Gabaldon's very prolific writing (most books in the series coming upon 800 or more brilliant pages each) has so much detail involving every aspect of each of our five senses, plus some added ones to boot, one would think s/he was part of the action. Be warned, though, each book is very addictive and long, but what better way to spend a cold, snowy winter indoors or hot, languid summer vacation?

Kathryn Stockett's "The Help" is very good at depicting a few of the more contemptible but subtle underpinnings of domestic help. Whether it is from the trials and tribulations of a Southern African-American maid or any of the numerous underclasses of any subservient peoples through the ages, it is still here among us--don't be naive and think that it isn't as some would like to think. The story may have taken place in the 60's, but there are many lessons to be learned in today's global society. A great book for discussion. I do think that the publisher's discussion questions could have been more in-depth, so be sure to look at readers' suggestions for discussion questions.

I am a very non-affiliated religious person. I think of God and pray daily, more than once a day. It was interesting to read someone else's thoughts on subjects such as Holy Trinity and forgiveness. Great discussion for book clubs, if you're comfortable enough with your members to discuss religious subject matter.

but definitely worth your time and effort to finish. The middle, what I consider the non-financial sections, is gripping and graphic in spots and a real page-turner. The end has a lot of financial intricacies, but is informative and interesting enough to carry you through to the end.

Brady Udall's descriptive prose occasionally reminds me of John Steinbeck. This novel is very humorous, poignant, and bittersweet, and at times, has exasperating characters who make bad choices and do dumb things. Even so, you develop an empathy and affection for them. You will never forget Golden Richards, his son Rusty (among numerous offspring) or his wives.

Good discussion book. Slow in parts, but always with purpose, spirituality & intuition. Every woman, young & old, should read this piece of historical fiction from the Transcendentalism/Civil War era (seems like an oxymoron).

Numerous discussion questions for Light in August by William Faulkner-- so many there was not time to finish them all. This was our clubs/members first time reading Faulkner, and it was so good. You can tell when you are reading great prose--great writers make it seem effortless. The characters were memorable and mesmerizing. I cannot say enough good things about this book. I consider it a must read on your bucket list.

Deep, dark and disturbing portrait of insanity and criminally. Sucks you right in to the mind and journey of the criminal. Highly recommended.