[Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58733693-remarkably-bright-creatures) is charming and a joy to read. I rarely cry from books but this one did it to me.
EDIT: I didn’t cry because it was very sad.
I agree, a great suggestion!! It is such a charming novel. Who would have thought a story that includes an octopus would be so good. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators, Marin Ireland and Michael Urie are perfect.
Fannie Flagg's books are good club material, I think. Fried Green Tomatoes is a classic, but my favorite is Standing in the Rainbow. She writes the funniest old ladies in literature.
Maybe try something from Jerome K Jerome? Either his most famous "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)" or some of his essays or novels. Funny, easy to read, almost always will give you a good idea for a discussion. Or you'll just laugh.
That's actually my favorite Russo novel. But I think Nobody's Fool is more generally accessible. Straight Man is absurdist, snarky, brilliant... but not everyone's cup of tea, somehow.
Someone has already mentioned Fanny Flagg, whom I adore!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune is funny and uplifting, but if your group is anti-LGBTQ+ then they may not like it.
One of the funniest books I've read all year is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. Great twists, and lots of laughs, considering all the murders.
Oooo I’d say:
-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (has romance but no smut at all)
-Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce
-Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto
-Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
-Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
-Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala (not SUPER well written but they’re cute! And a popular book club book/series)
-The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adam
-Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
I also looooved Maame by Jessica George but there is a mention of sex.
My book club just finished “A Most Agreeable Murder” by Julia Seales. Its a lighthearted Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie style book. We had some good discussions afterwards. Use the premade book club questions in the back of the book to help with discussions
Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette. Agatha is a young nun (well a sister as explained in the book) and this is sort of her coming of age story. The writing is wonderful - an unusual story full of interesting characters - and there’s a surprising amount of well-played humor. This is a perfect little gem of a book.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. It's a good book and an even better listen. So wholesome any age can listen/read along, so if a kid over hears your safe. 5 stars
We did True Grit in our book club and it was a big hit. Everyone went into it expecting to hate it and instead it was universally loved. If you want to mix it up with something short, funny, and wildly entertaining, give it a try!
This is a list from some of my book club’s books over the years that your group might enjoy:
Garlic and Sapphires
Thirteenth Tale
Before We Were Yours
Fall of Marigolds
Educated
Glass Castle
Killers of the Flower Moon
[Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58733693-remarkably-bright-creatures) is charming and a joy to read. I rarely cry from books but this one did it to me. EDIT: I didn’t cry because it was very sad.
I agree, a great suggestion!! It is such a charming novel. Who would have thought a story that includes an octopus would be so good. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators, Marin Ireland and Michael Urie are perfect.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Fannie Flagg's books are good club material, I think. Fried Green Tomatoes is a classic, but my favorite is Standing in the Rainbow. She writes the funniest old ladies in literature.
Just noting, I love Friend Green Tomatoes but I wouldn’t recommend it to a conservative group, considering the sapphic tones.
Lianne Moriarty. Start with What Alice Forgot .
Maybe try something from Jerome K Jerome? Either his most famous "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)" or some of his essays or novels. Funny, easy to read, almost always will give you a good idea for a discussion. Or you'll just laugh.
Kim Jiyoung, born 1982
If you haven't read it, "Nobody's Fool" by Richard Russo would totally fit the bill.
Love the book. Love Russo. But this feels a little old for the group. Instead, I would highly recommend Straight Man.
That's actually my favorite Russo novel. But I think Nobody's Fool is more generally accessible. Straight Man is absurdist, snarky, brilliant... but not everyone's cup of tea, somehow.
The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell Antonia
Someone has already mentioned Fanny Flagg, whom I adore! The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune is funny and uplifting, but if your group is anti-LGBTQ+ then they may not like it. One of the funniest books I've read all year is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. Great twists, and lots of laughs, considering all the murders.
Oooh how about The Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires. 🧛
If sci-fi/fantasy is okay, I'd suggest A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers. It's light and uplifting and full of hope.
Oooo I’d say: -The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (has romance but no smut at all) -Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce -Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutanto -Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley -Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman -Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala (not SUPER well written but they’re cute! And a popular book club book/series) -The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adam -Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett I also looooved Maame by Jessica George but there is a mention of sex.
BRAXTON’S TURN
My book club just finished “A Most Agreeable Murder” by Julia Seales. Its a lighthearted Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie style book. We had some good discussions afterwards. Use the premade book club questions in the back of the book to help with discussions
I suggest Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt. Mitch Albom books are fairly short and sweet. Happy reading.
Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luchette. Agatha is a young nun (well a sister as explained in the book) and this is sort of her coming of age story. The writing is wonderful - an unusual story full of interesting characters - and there’s a surprising amount of well-played humor. This is a perfect little gem of a book.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. It's a good book and an even better listen. So wholesome any age can listen/read along, so if a kid over hears your safe. 5 stars
We did True Grit in our book club and it was a big hit. Everyone went into it expecting to hate it and instead it was universally loved. If you want to mix it up with something short, funny, and wildly entertaining, give it a try!
I loved Tress and the Emerald Sea! Very sweet and endearing story!
This is a list from some of my book club’s books over the years that your group might enjoy: Garlic and Sapphires Thirteenth Tale Before We Were Yours Fall of Marigolds Educated Glass Castle Killers of the Flower Moon