AAR Book Club: What’s Up Next?

If you’re going to do a Linda Howard, then Death Angel. There’s enough in the lead couple’s characters to generate discussion, to say nothing of the initial set-up and the structure of the plot. I thought that the latter was oddly paced, and I loved the book.

Otherwise, what about an older novel that participants may have read some time ago and would have to re-read? That has a way of making you re-examine what you liked, and also allowing you to see whether your opinion changed over time.

I would love to read a controversial book and discuss…or vent. :) So often when reading a book like that , it can be frustrating to get over certain details without a discussion. So, in that….Black Silk, Death Angel, the Putney contemps…or Dearly Beloved by Putney. To Have and to Hold isn’t in print, but that would be a good one too. I’ll forever offer Ain’t She Sweet and The Marriage Bed…I haven’t read that one for fear of being too frustrated with the hero. As a book discussion though, I think it would be interesting. Truly, Madly Yours by Gibson, would fall into that category with me too. I didn’t like Nick the first time…and last time I read it.

Death Angel, To Have and To Hold, and The Marriage Bed all came up a few times when I asked for suggestions last time, but couldn’t compete with the sheer number of votes for the books that ended up in the final poll. (And, FWIW, I voted for Black Silk, too.) All I can do is put together a list of the most oft mentioned titles and then let the readers decide.

Quote: a controversial book really generates discussion!

Then, in that case, it should be “”Death Angel”” by Howard or “”To Have and To Hold”” by Gaffney (when it’s the historicals’ turn again). Another historical was “”The Marriage Bed”” by Gurhke. All of these books had people coming out of the woodwork from both sides of the room. But maybe they’ve been hashed out here way too much for readers to want to have another go at them.

Cindy,
You make a good point. Of the Putney contemporaries, Burning Point, which had a controversial storyline would probably generate interesting discussion.

Agree with Cindy — a controversial book really generates discussion!

If you’re in a old-fashioned flesh and blood book club, you’ve probably seen that just because lots of people love a book, that doesn’t make it a good discussion book for a book club. The best discussions are when books are controversial and some people loved the book and some people really, really, really didn’t!
I love “”Lord of Scoundrels”” (really, doesn’t almost everyone?), but I voted for “”Black Silk”” last month precisely because there were parts of it I liked and parts that bugged me big time.
Maybe this concept doesn’t translate to an on-line book club (I’m a novice there!) But I just wanted to throw this idea out there while you’re chosing for next month…

Truly Madly Yours !!!
This Heart of Mine
Dream a Little Dream
;-)

Jean, your idea about a Mary Jo Putney contemporary is a good one. I really enjoyed Putney’s The Spiral Path. Another old favorite that I just reread is Paradise by Judith McNaught. I think that is one of her best.

I just re-read Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie: so many people adore it. For some reason it didn’t make my keeper shelf, and a re-read just confirmed everything I didn’t care for. I’d love it if that were our choice.

Yes yes to a standalone Nora Roberts and for the last, hmmmm, how about a very well received Harlequin Blaze, like a story from Kathleen O’Reilly. Or a Lisa Kleypas contemp: I’d like that too.

Here’s my two cents worth :)
Blue Eyed Devil–Liz Kleypas
Ain’t She Sweet–Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Public Secrets–Nora Roberts

Or one of the contemporary Mary Jo Putneys? Burning Point?

Yes…Truly, Madly, Yours by Gibson. I’ve wanted to do a reread of this book for the longest time. The first time around (my first romance reading year) I didn’t like Nick very much. I think now, 10 years later, I might like him a bit more. So, it seems, I will third that suggestion (or 4th…can’t keep track)

I third Black Ice by Anne Stuart.

I like the choice of Flirting with Danger by Suzanne Enoch. I have really enjoyed that series.

Please do “”Welcome to Temptation”” please please please. I listened to the audio version and it was great.

I’m so disappointed…I probably won’t be available for the bookclub discussion. Darn it! I just did a reread of LOS…the first time was years ago, and I loved it this time around. Perfection in a romance novel…IMO.

Next one…Welcome To Temptation. I’d love to do that one. Or…something more controversial…Dearly Beloved by Mary Jo Putney. Fallen From Grace by Laura Leone, The Proposition by Judith Ivory or..Ain’t She Sweet by SEP.
Jane Graves or Rachel Gibson works for me too.

I like the Nora Roberts route too…Sweet Revenge is a favorite of mine. Either of the Jane Graves suggestions were good too!

I’ll go along with BLACK ICE and TRULY, MADLY YOURS.

Caryl: I’d like to suggest an alternative Crusie–Bet Me!

Great minds, and all that — I came back to suggest Bet Me too! I think it would generate good discussion since there seems to be readers on both sides of the fence with this one.

The Rachel Gibson suggestion is good. Truly, Madly Yours isn’t my favorite of hers, although lots of people do seem to love it. I think See Jane Score is my favorite of hers.

I’d also second the suggestion for a Nora Roberts book. Either a stand-alone romantic suspense, or perhaps the first in a trilogy (Sea Swept comes to mind).

I’ll 2nd Truly, Madly, Yours! sorry Katie Mack, I loved it…my only Gibson keeper.

A Place to Call Home by Deborah Smith.

Black Ice by Anne Stuart.

I’d like to suggest an alternative Crusie–Bet Me! For a romantic suspense, I’d go with Brockmann’s Out of Control.

Sorry I’ll miss this month’s discussion, gals, but looking forward to October.

Jane Graves: Tall Tales & Wedding Veils or Hot Wheels & High Heels
Suzanne Enoch: Flirting with Danger

Maybe a Rachel Gibson book — I think Truly, Madly Yours could generate some discussion. Or am I the only reader on the planet who didn’t love that book?

How about a Nora Roberts stand alone? Honest Illusions, High Noon, Northern Lights

One of the new romantic suspense writiers like Roxanne St. Clair.