ReadingGroupGuides.com

Win 10 Copies of IRON HOUSE and THE LAST CHILD by John Hart for Your Group

This month, we’re offering 50 groups a very special opportunity --- a chance to win 10 copies of both Iron House (available in paperback March 27th) and The Last Child by John Hart. To enter, book clubs agree to discuss the books at their March or April meetings, answer the questions that we provide, and promote the two titles via social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, blogs, etc. Please note that not everyone in the group needs to read both books. (For example, you may choose to divide your group into two sections, one for each book, and discuss the titles that way.) Our aim is to have book groups exploring John Hart’s work and sharing their thoughts about it!

The deadline for entries is Monday, March 5th at noon ET.

More about Iron House:
There was nothing but time at the Iron Mountain Home for Boys, time for two orphans to learn that life is neither painless nor won without a fight. Julian survives only because his older brother, Michael, is both feared and fiercely protective. When an older boy is brutally killed, Michael makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect his brother: He flees the orphanage and takes the blame with him. For two decades, Michael thrives on the streets of New York, eventually clawing his way to a world of wealth, fear and respect. But the life he’s fought to build unravels when he meets a woman who knows nothing of his past or sins.

More about The Last Child:
Thirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: a warm home and loving parents; a twin sister, Alyssa, with whom he shared an irreplaceable bond. He knew nothing of loss, until the day Alyssa vanished from the side of a lonely street. Now, a year later, Johnny finds himself isolated and alone, failed by the people he’d been taught since birth to trust. No one else believes that Alyssa is still alive, but Johnny is certain that she is --- confident in a way that he can never fully explain.

Click here to read all the contest details.
Read the guides for Iron House and The Last Child, along with two more books by John Hart: The King of Lies and Down River.

Win a Paperback Copy of Book Cover Art - Click Here LONG DRIVE HOME by Will Allison for Your Group

We are celebrating the paperback release of Long Drive Home by Will Allison --- the story of a happily married man who makes a split-second decision that sends his life into a devastating tailspin --- with a special contest. 300 readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the book, which is now available in paperback, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, March 5th at noon ET.

More about Long Drive Home:
Life can change in an instant because of one small mistake. For Glen Bauer, all it takes is a quick jerk of the steering wheel, intended to scare a reckless driver. But the reckless driver is killed, and just like that, Glen’s placid suburban existence begins to unravel. Written in part as a confessional letter from Glen to his daughter, Sara, Long Drive Home evokes the sharp-eyed observation of Tom Perrotta and the pathos of Dan Chaon in its trenchant portrait of contemporary American life.

Click here to read all the contest details.
Click here for the reading group guide.

Win a Copy of Book Cover Art - Click Here OXFORD MESSED UP by Andrea Kayne Kaufman for Your Group

We are celebrating the release of Oxford Messed Up by Andrea Kayne Kaufman --- the story of a clawfoot tub, the music of Van Morrison, and two messed-up souls who bloom with transcendent love --- with a special contest. 25 readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of the book, which is now in stores, for their group. The deadline for entries is Monday, March 5th at noon ET.

More about Oxford Messed Up:
Rhodes Scholar Gloria Zimmerman has come to Oxford University to study feminist poetry. Yet the rigors of academia pale in comparison to her untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, fueled by her overachieving parents and manifested in a deathly aversion to germs and human contact. Her next-door neighbor (who is also, to her mortification, her roommate) is Henry Young, the appealing but underachieving English music student. Still mourning the death of his supportive mother while enduring the mockery of his disapproving and merciless father, Henry is haunted by the unexpectedly serious ramifications of a reckless and tragic youth.

Click here to read all the contest details.
Click here for the reading group guide.

Book Cover Art Save Me
by Lisa Scottoline

Available in Paperback February 14th
Nobody could have foreseen what would happen the day that Rose McKenna volunteers as a lunch mom in the cafeteria of her daughter’s elementary school. Rose does it to keep a discreet eye on her third-grader, Melly, a sweet, if shy, child who was born with a facial birthmark that has become her own personal bull’s-eye. Melly has been targeted by the mean girl at their new school and gets bullied every day, placing Rose in a no-win position familiar to parents everywhere. Do we step in to protect our children when they need us, or does that make things worse? When the bully starts to tease Melly yet again. Rose is about to leap into action --- but right then, the unthinkable happens.

» Click here for the reading group guide.

Book Cover Art All That I Am
by Anna Funder

When 18-year-old Ruth Becker visits her cousin Dora in Munich in 1923, she meets the love of her life, the dashing young journalist Hans Wesemann, and eagerly joins in the heady activities of the militant political Left in Germany. Ten years later, Ruth and Hans are married and living in Weimar Berlin when Hitler is elected chancellor of Germany. Together with Dora and her lover, Ernst Toller, the celebrated poet and self-doubting revolutionary, the four become hunted outlaws overnight and are forced to flee to London.

» Click here for the reading group guide.

Accused: Pacific Coast Justice #1 by Janice Cantore: Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action.
Heart’s Safe Passage: The Midwives, Book 2 by Laurie Alice Eakes: This second book in Laurie Alice Eakes’s The Midwives series is a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas.
When the Smoke Clears: Deadly Reunions, Book 1 by Lynette Eason: Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold readers in its grip until the very last page.
Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart: One woman stands ready to defend her newspaper…even if it means losing out on love.

For February, we have two very special opportunities for Registered Book Groups. Our featured titles this month are The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy and Far From Here by Nicole Baart. Groups that have registered with us by Tuesday, February 21st will have the chance to win author chats and/or free books. If your group is not registered with ReadingGroupGuides.com, click here to register.

Click here for details.

ReadingGroupGuides.com's "What to Read Next? Suggest a Book for This Group"

Is your book group stuck in a rut? Or looking to stretch beyond its comfort zone? Maybe you're just searching for that next great read?

We're here to help! Our latest ReadingGroupGuides.com feature, “What to Read Next? Suggest a Book for This Group,” aims to help a group by taking suggestions from our thousands of book group members.

We'll regularly feature groups, tell you something about them and share their previous 6 selections here, and then ask you to leave a suggestion for them in our special form. We're excited to see groups sharing picks back-and-forth, and hope this feature helps groups find a new favorite discussion title!

Click here to see this month's featured groups.

Click here to see the suggestions for last month's group.

Click here to see the suggestions for previously featured groups.

Click here to submit your group for consideration.

Book Group Spotlight Feature

The Book Group Spotlight Feature is designed to share a selected book group with our readers. The spotlight may focus on a group's discussion of a book or on a group that we feel is particularly interesting.

This month’s Book Group Spotlight interview is with Meggan Weaver from the Happy Bookers Book Club in Sidney, Ohio, which is celebrating their one-year anniversary. For their December meeting, members began a unique gift-exchange tradition. In this interview, Meggan talks about the origin of the idea and details of the exchange, how the group got started, and what some of their favorite discussion titles have been.

Click here to read the interview.

Click here to read previous interviews.

Accidents of Providence by Stacia M. Brown: Garnering praise from the likes of Margaret George, Kathleen Kent and Sheri Holman, who calls it a "marvelous story written in searing prose," Accidents of Providence takes us into the streets of 1649 London and the story of an unmarried woman, a glovemaker, whose passionate love affair leads to a trial for murder.
Accused: Pacific Coast Justice #1 by Janice Cantore: Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action.
All That I Am by Anna Funder: Award-winning author Anna Funder delivers an affecting and beautifully evocative debut novel about a group of young German exiles who risk their lives to awaken the world to the terrifying threat of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
At Last by Edward St. Aubyn: The fifth and final installment in the acclaimed Patrick Melrose novels (Never Mind, Bad News, Some Hope, and the Man Booker Prize finalist Mother’s Milk), this wickedly dark comedy is an entertaining yet thought-provoking experience, even for those who have never read the previous books.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua: Amy Chua argues that Western parenting tries to respect and nurture children's individuality, while Chinese parents typically believe that arming children with skills, strong work habits, and inner confidence prepares them best for the future.
Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson: The New York Times bestseller now in paperback --- a disturbing psychological thriller, in which an amnesiac attempts to reconstruct her past by keeping a journal and discovers the dangerous inconsistencies in the stories of her husband and her secret doctor.
Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Why Fifty Is the New Fifty by Tracey Jackson: Recounting the changes Tracey Jackson went through, the things she learned (and things she didn't) en route to 50, Between a Rock and a Hot Place navigates the confusion and uncertainty of the most significant uncharted transition in our lives.
Caribou Island by David Vann: Brilliantly drawn and fiercely honest, Caribou Island captures the drama and pathos of a husband and wife whose bitter love, failed dreams and tragic past push them to the edge of destruction.
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey: With nonstop action and intrigue, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world.
The Color of Rain: How Two Families Found Faith, Hope, and Love in the Midst of Tragedy by Michael and Gina Spehn: The Color of Rain is a real-life Brady Bunch story about what it means to endure the unthinkable --- and still open our hearts to what’s next.
Down River by John Hart: A powerful, heart-pounding thriller from the unparalleled New York Times bestselling and two-time Edgar Award-winning author of The Last Child and The King of Lies, Down River --- winner of the 2008 Edgar Award for Best Novel of The Year --- will haunt your thoughts long after the last page is turned.
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See: Lisa See returns to the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed 19-year-old daughter Joy, who runs away to Shanghai in early 1957 to find her birth father.
Faith by Jennifer Haigh: Set in 2002 amid the sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Catholic Church, and particularly the Boston archdiocese, Jennifer Haigh's novel reaches far beneath the headlines to imagine the impact of allegations on one priest's family.
Far From Here by Nicole Baart: When Danica Greene’s pilot husband disappears during a trip to Alaska, Danica begins a desperate journey to find him. But when she learns that her husband wasn’t flying alone and that a woman is missing too, she is forced to search for the truth in her marriage.
Growgirl: How My Life After The Blair Witch Project Went to Pot by Heather Donahue: The star of the international cult sensation The Blair Witch Project shares the high points of living on a marijuana farm post-Hollywood.
Heart’s Safe Passage: The Midwives, Book 2 by Laurie Alice Eakes: This second book in Laurie Alice Eakes’s The Midwives series is a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas.
History of a Pleasure Seeker by Richard Mason: Piet Barol has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. He applies for a job as tutor to the son of Europe’s leading hotelier, and soon finds his life transformed as he in turn transforms the lives of those around him.
Home Front by Kristin Hannah: From a distance, Michael and Joleen Zarkades seem to have it all. But after 12 years together, the couple has lost their way. Then the Iraq war starts, and an unexpected deployment will tear their already fragile family apart.
Iron House by John Hart: Two families. Two brothers. One explosive secret. John Hart has written four New York Times bestsellers and won an unprecedented two back-to-back Edgar Awards. The New York Times labeled his work “Grisham-style intrigue and Turow-style brooding.” Now he delivers a gut-wrenching, heart-stopping thriller no reader will soon forget.
Island of Wings by Karen Altenberg: Everything lies ahead for Lizzie and Neil McKenzie when they arrive at the St. Kilda islands in July of 1830. But as they adjust to life at the edge of civilization, where the natives live in squalor and babies perish mysteriously, their marriage --- and their sanity --- are soon threatened.
The Keeper: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1 by Suzanne Woods Fisher: Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now 21, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding --- again --- she knows who is to blame.
The King of Lies by John Hart: From the masterful New York Times bestselling and two-time Edgar Award-winning author of The Last Child and Down River comes this tour de force of murder and the dark ripples it sends through a man, his family and community.
The Last Child by John Hart: John Hart’s New York Times bestselling debut, The King of Lies, announced the arrival of a major talent. With Down River, he surpassed his earlier success, transcending the barrier between thriller and literature and winning the 2008 Edgar Award for best novel. Now, with The Last Child, he achieves his most significant work to date: an intricate, powerful story of loss, hope and courage in the face of evil.
The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy: For the past 17 years, Meredith Pincetti has tried to forget everything about her family and her past. But with the receipt of a pleading letter, Meredith is again thrust into conflict with the legacy that destroyed her family's once-great name.
Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan: While volunteering at a Nepal orphanage in 2006, Conor Grennan discovered that the children were not orphans: they were trafficked. Despite the danger, he trekked remarkable distances with photographs of the children, miraculously reuniting dozens of families.
Long Drive Home by Will Allison: In Will Allison’s critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, a happily married man makes a split-second decision that sends his life into a devastating tailspin.
The Magic Room: A Story About the Love We Wish for Our Daughters by Jeffrey Zaslow: For thousands of women, Becker's Bridal in Fowler, Michigan is the site of some of the most important moments of their lives. Illuminating the poignant aspects of a woman's journey to the altar, The Magic Room tells the stories of a diverse group of memorable women on the brink of commitment.
Norumbega Park by Anthony Giardina: From the author of White Guys comes a novel about class and parental dreams, sex and spirituality, the way visions conflict with stubborn reality, and a family’s ability to open up, for others, a world they could never fully grasp for themselves.
Oxford Messed Up by Andrea Kayne Kaufman: Go on a journey where a clawfoot tub, the music of Van Morrison, and two messed-up souls blooms with transcendent love.
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen: The bestselling author of Garden Spells welcomes readers to Walls of Water, North Carolina, where the secrets are thicker than the fog from the town’s famous waterfalls, and the stuff of superstition is just as real as you want it to be.
The Ruins of Us by Keija Parssinen: A Saudi-born author’s stunning debut novel tells the story of a Saudi billionaire and the turmoil and heartbreak that rock his family after his American wife discovers he has taken a second bride, and his son begins an ominous journey towards radicalism.
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline: From the New York Times bestselling author of Think Twice and Look Again comes an emotionally powerful novel about a split-second choice, agonizing consequences, and the need for justice.
Sipping from the Nile: My Exodus from Egypt by Jean Naggar: Lyrical and engaging, Sipping from the Nile traces the author’s journey from an idyllic Jewish childhood in Arab lands to the Suez crisis that changed her life forever.
Smut: Stories by Alan Bennett: The author of The History Boys and The Habit of Art returns with a double novella about the unexpected secrets that lie behind people's public personas.
Spin by Catherine McKenzie: An undercover newbie gossip reporter nicknamed “Sober” for her partying ways follows a celebrity into rehab to dish all the dirt --- but things are always more complicated than they seem.
Summer of Promise: Westward Winds, Book 1 by Amanda Cabot: This first installment in Amanda Cabot’s new Westward Winds series is a tale of following your heart to unexpected places.
Take Me Home by Brian Leung: Adele "Addie" Maine is returning to Dire, Wyoming, 40 years after the deadly events that drove her away from her husband without a word.
“There Are Things I Want You to Know” About Stieg Larsson and Me by Eva Gabrielsson with Marie-Françoise Colombani: Only one person in the world knows this story well enough to tell it with authority. Her name is Eva Gabrielsson, and she and Stieg Larsson shared everything, starting when they were both 18 until his untimely death at the age of 50.
This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman: This New York Times bestselling novel reveals how the events of a single night shatter a Manhattan family’s sense of security and identity --- “a rich, engrossing, and surprisingly nuanced novel exploring timeless questions of guilt and responsibility” (O, The Oprah Magazine).
We Need to Talk About Kevin: Movie Tie-In Edition by Lionel Shriver: This gripping international bestseller about motherhood gone awry is now a motion picture starring Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly.
What Happened to Hannah by Mary Kay McComas: As a teenager, Hannah Benson ran away from home in order to save herself. Now, 20 years later, the past comes calling and delivers life-changing news: her mother and sister have passed away, leaving Hannah the guardian of her 15-year-old niece.
When the Smoke Clears: Deadly Reunions, Book 1 by Lynette Eason: Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold readers in its grip until the very last page.
Where Wildflowers Bloom: Sisters at Heart Series, Book 1 by Ann Shorey: The War Between the States stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg --- as well as Royal Baxter, the man she wanted to marry. With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her.
Wine to Water: A Bartender’s Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World by Doc Hendley: In 2004, a small-town bartender launched a series of wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects and to bring awareness to the world's freshwater crisis. He planned to donate the proceeds through traditional channels, but instead found himself traveling to one of the world's most dangerous hot spots: Darfur, Sudan.
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak: The Winter Palace tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s improbable rise to power --- as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of an all-but-invisible servant close to the throne.
Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart: One woman stands ready to defend her newspaper…even if it means losing out on love.
The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar: Thrity Umrigar, acclaimed author of The Space Between Us and The Weight of Heaven, returns with a breathtaking new novel --- a skillfully wrought, emotionally resonant story of four women and the indelible friendship they share.