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The December Spotlight Group Is…

December 04, 2020 Bookmark, Spotlight Book Groups

Book Club Girls Sparta is our December 2020 Spotlight on Reading Group Choices

December 2020 Spotlight: Book Club Girls Sparta

Our December 2020 Spotlight celebrates two years together and discusses two books every meeting!

We are a group of 24 women that range in age from mid-thirties to 70s who have been together for two years now (in November). We are out of Sparta, New Jersey, and call ourselves the Book Club Girls Sparta. We meet once a month and usually discuss two books. It is a wonderful group of women who have come together to share their love of books, wine, food, and friendship.

This photo was taken in January when we met for our first meeting for 2020.

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Reading Group Choices Interview with Ellen Alpsten

November 19, 2020 Author Interviews, Bookmark

Author Ellen Alpsten discusses her sweeping novel about the Russian ruler Catherine I, Tsarina.

For her interview with Reading Group Choices, Ellen Alpsten talks about what captured her imagination about Catherine I’s story, Russia past and present, the many sources of research and inspiration, and what’s in store for the sequel…

Reading Group Choices: You mention that you first came across Catherine’s story when you were 13, and knew you had to tell it. Did you have the notion to be a writer that young?

Ellen Alpsten: True – the fascinating story of Catherine I of Russia had never left me,

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Listen Up! Books About Music

November 11, 2020 Bookmark, Themed Book Lists

Let these fiction, nonfiction, and YA books about music become a soundtrack for your reading!

Biographies of iconic musician and influential groups. True stories of how music changed the world. Coming-0f-age stories with musical protagonists. Fictional legends of rock, and a heavy metal horror story. We’ve gathered an eclectic bunch of books about music for every type of reader, from the casual listener to the dedicated fan. Read one while playing your favorite tunes, and then discuss them afterward with your group!

Nonfiction

She Come By It Natural

by Sarah Smarsh

Dolly Parton’s songs for decades have validated women who go unheard,

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The November Spotlight Group Is…

October 27, 2020 Bookmark, Spotlight Book Groups

Reading Group Choices November spotlight group

November 2020 Spotlight: Literally Speaking

Our November Spotlight comes from North Dakota and has been meeting for over 20 years!

We have been an organized group since 1999. We still have five of those original members although currently we have 13 members, which is about the max amount we like to have for good discussions and ease of hosting the group. Our name is “Literally Speaking” AKA the “Book Bags”! Our group is organized this way: we take turns hosting approximately every 6-10 weeks. The hostess selects the book and also decides when and where the meeting will be.

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Reading Group Choices Interview with Adrien Goetz

October 22, 2020 Author Interviews, Book a Day, Bookmark

Art historian, scholar, and author Adrien Goetz discusses his new novel Villa of Delirium, set in the historic Villa Kérylos on the French Riviera.

For his interview with Reading Group Choices, Adrien Goetz talks about the lure of mysteries, what inspires him at the Louvre, why the past is present (and future), and why useless pursuits are the best ones to follow…

Reading Group Choices: In Villa of Delirium, Achilles returns to Kérylos decades after he left it, in search of a hidden treasure. You’ve also written a series of novels that revolve around art-inspired mysteries.

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Great Group Reads 2020

October 12, 2020 Bookmark, Themed Book Lists, WNBA Great Group Reads

Reading Group Choices is pleased to share the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Great Group Reads 2020 list, part of their National Reading Group Month initiative!

This annual month-long celebration provides an opportunity for reading groups worldwide to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future. It’s also a perfect time to join or start a reading group! Every October, WNBA organizes events nationwide and announces an annual list of book selections for reading groups: Great Group Reads.

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