Need Some Book Club Books?

A wise person once said, “We read to know we are not alone.” That simple truth also captures what makes book clubs so special.

There’s nothing quite like gathering with friends to explore new ideas, share different perspectives and grow together — or just enjoy a great story and a few good laughs.

If your book group is looking for fresh inspiration, you’re in luck. My colleagues at Main Point Books have put their heads together to recommend some fantastic picks for the months ahead. Read on and get ready to refresh your reading list!

Influencers are certainly having their moment. But are they for real? Local author Jo Piazza has written a chilling thriller called “Everyone is Lying to You.” It’s about two former best friends, a grisly murder and the truly shocking revelation that everyone is lying about something! Main Point Books owner Cathy Fiebach said, “This is a page-turner with a twisty plot that brings you inside the world of influencers. Do you believe that you know the Kardashians better than you know your best friend? Maybe not! This book is ripe for some lively talk about trust.”

There’s also a lot of buzz these days among the women I know about aging and change. “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman addresses those issues head on. Fiebach gave a hearty thumbs up to this book as well, saying it’s “the story of one week in Cape Cod from a menopausal mother’s perspective as she reflects on her children’s growing up and her aging parents. I loved reading this. I really did laugh and cry.””

How about a true story that covers love, crime and passion to spark some conversation? Fiebach said you need to check out “The Art Thief” by Michel Finkel. “It’s true that fact is stranger than fiction. This is the true story of the world’s most prolific art thief who stole a billion dollars’ worth of art while living with his mom. You’ll want to talk about this book with your book group.” (I also read this one and was astounded by the level of chutzpah on display.)

Bookseller extraordinaire Anmiryam Budner singled out a couple of her favorites. She goes local for her first pick — “All We Were Promised” by Ashton Lattimore. A housemaid with a dangerous secret teams up with a wealthy young abolitionist to help an enslaved girl escape volatile pre- Civil War Philadelphia. Budner called this “a thrilling story that gives you a great look at Philly history from a clear perspective.”

Next up, Budner chose a tale of sibling rivalry that nearly everyone can relate to. It’s called “The Accidental Favorite” by Fran Littlewood. Here’s Budner’s take: “Love, hate, siblings, parents. Who’s the favorite, who’s the prettiest, who’s the … It’s a swirl of emotions that binds families together and pushes them apart. On a family vacation in a glass house, the three Fisher sisters and their parents confront the secrets and resentments they’ve buried for decades. It’s funny, sad and so very true. You won’t come away with a favorite — you’ll love them all, even when they’re so, so annoying. It’s a true-to-life family, complete with conflicting memories and clashing perspectives.”

Budner also loved “A Marriage at Sea” by Sophie Elmhirst. It’s the true story of a young couple shipwrecked at sea and a mind-blowing tale of obsession, survival and partnership stretched to its limits. Budner said, “Some books defy categorization and straightforward praise. ‘A Marriage at Sea’ is so many things: a harrowing survival story, a look into a complicated marriage, a biography of a complicated and odd man. It excels along all of these dimensions and in mere 256 pages! You’ll read it in an afternoon, but think about it for much, much longer.”

Mariga Temple-West turned to home and hearth for her picks. The complex heroine of “Brooklyn” returns in Colm Tóibín’s affecting and moving novel “Long Island.” Temple-West was captivated once again by Eilis Lacey, saying, as her “marriage frays she returns home to Ireland and rekindles an old romance. But secrets and unforeseen complications turn the story into a first-rate soap opera.” If you loved “Brooklyn” (and who didn’t?), this is a great choice with plenty to talk about.

Temple-West also recommended another story of marital decay, “The Most” by Jessica Anthony. She described it this way: “A marriage is slowly imploding. Secrets float to the surface. A story of what-might-have-been but there’s no going back.”

There are plenty more where these came from! Visit your local independent bookstore for more ideas. No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you find the right book.

Shelley Laurence is a bookseller at Main Point Books, an independent bookstore with a handpicked selection for every member of the family. Check out their events, book groups and children’s activities at MainPointBooks.com or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Order online for delivery or pickup. 484-580-6978; 116 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne.