EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Can you recommend something fun and engrossing for a 20 year old who stopped reading for fun when she went to college? I want to get my favorite niece some books to re-spark her love of reading.

She is active on social media, she goes to a lot of concerts, she dances, she's very positive, and she takes incredibly creative selfies. I'd like to get something relevant to her generation. (My favorite books barely acknowledge that the Internet exists.)

I'd like to get a variety. I'd prefer something with a smart independent woman with a kick-ass attitude (or at least characters who respect themselves) I could throw a wonderful tearjerker in the mix. A fun book with a taste of social commentary? I just want something to get her started, and we can move on from there when she visits next summer.

She's NOT into fantasy, super-heroes, or the paranormal, but a little magical realism could be fun. Nothing violent or too sexy, or I'll hear about it. (Too bad because I have a box of Sookie Stackhouse books that always made me laugh.) I don't remember her reading mysteries as a kid, but we live far away so I'm not sure.

Bridget Jones' Diary helped re-spark my reading habit one year long ago. I wonder if there a modern equivalent?

Good challenge NancyJ. You got me looking at my whole goodreads list again, but with the eye of someone half my age. I'm sure we all have a TON of books we could recommend to our own age group or those who have a similar interest, so this was a stretch for me:

1. My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella might be the best/most relevant option on my list.
2. Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber
3. Me Before You or One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
4. Wild by Cheryl Strayed (I would save this one for a bit later, since Cheryl led quite a "raunchy" life before the trip.)
5. The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth
* A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron (Not a story with a strong female lead, but a powerful tear-jerker!)

I should also mention that I listen to most of my books, and book #1 was wonderful with a slight English accent:-)

Caitie wrote: "I'm 25, and I was in a similar situation, and these few novels would have gotten me back into reading when I was in college:

1984 - Though its a "Classic", I found that I could relate ..."

Thank you Caitie!

It really helps that you're in the same age group. I'll check out the books I haven't seen yet. I wouldn't have though of 1984, but it really does have a lot of relevance now, doesn't it?

I was hoping to read the Hate U Give too. I really loved Great Small Things last year. I know a lot of people were hesitant to read both books, but were glad they did.

I have the Hunger Games set, so I'll mention it. She wasn't into Harry Potter, unlike her male cousins (and me), so I'm not sure if she likes fantasy. (I didn't get into until after I had kids.)

I really liked A Man Called Ove, and Britt Marie seems more age appropriate.

Karen wrote: "Good challenge NancyJ. You got me looking at my whole goodreads list again, but with the eye of someone half my age. I'm sure we all have a TON of books we could recommend to our own age group or t..."

Thanks Karen, these are awesome.

I forgot about Sophie Kinsella! In the book I read (or maybe it was the movie) she wanted to work for a magazine, right? That would be perfect. The character in Me Before You sounds a lot like her too.

I'll check out the others. An audio book would be great for the long ride up here to visit us this summer.

I gave my husband an audiobook of A Dog's Purpose for a trip. He said he cried like a baby. This would be a great topic of discussion for our whole dog loving family. Thanks!

Hello, I’m 22! I absolutely adored Small Great Things, Wild and thought Me Before You was interesting. I don’t know how into royalty and the royal wedding she is but there’s always “The Royal We”, I adored that one. If you want a really hard hitting book I’d suggest “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khalid Hosseini, that’s a tough book but one I think every single woman should read. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari pairs social media with romance in an intriguing and riveting way which might be relatable. Sorry if this isn’t helpful, just realized I need to read more strong female lead books, thanks!

Miriam wrote: "Hello, I’m 22! I absolutely adored Small Great Things, Wild and thought Me Before You was interesting. I don’t know how into royalty and the royal wedding she is but there’s always “The Royal We”, ..."

I absolutely agree with you about A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is one of my favorite books. I learned so much, and it made me extremely grateful for the freedoms I have as a woman. This is the kind of book that can make you forget your own petty problems, and put things into perspective. I would love to discuss it with her eventually.

Modern Romance sounds great, very current. He's a very funny guy too.

Thanks for the great ideas!

Caitie wrote: "I had a few more thoughts, if she watches tv she might be interested in reading some memoirs from tv stars? Though I haven't read them, Bossypants by Tina Fey (comedian and 30Rock fa..."

Great ideas. I'll check them out. I love Tina Fey, why didn't I think of that! I don't gravitate toward biographies, but I love art, and after my bookclub read a book about Georgia O'Keeffe, I kept wanting to read more. I'll check out those ideas. I remember being enchanted by a book about the dancer Isadora Duncan when I was young.

Caitie, did you ever take the VIA test of characters strengths? It's online, fast, free, and solidly researched. I suspect Love of Learning will be high on your list as it was on mine.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!!

The first book I sent her was My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella to start. She says it sounds just like her life!

I also sent Me Before You, because their personalities are so similar.

Next, Before we were yours, mainly because I want to read it too, and I know she cares about kids

She's coming to visit this summer and we'll go through this list, and my boxes to see what else she might like. She has some friends who are into fantasy, and they're reinforcing some of my suggestions. Though maybe I should be pushing the classics more.

When her dad was here he saw To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time and loved it. I think he'll like East of Eden too.

Thanks again!

Nancy, I couldn't suggest anything on that range. :-)

But as for pushing the classics, that's what I do. Marketing, bookshop windows, Internet, booktubers, friends etc. will push the others (latest releases, best sellers, hype, famous influencers, YA, etc.), and they're unbeatable anyway! :-)

Not that I have any hope to beat them, I just keep offering good literature that is not on the news. It pays on the long run - I hope. :-)

Marcos wrote: "Nancy, I couldn't suggest anything on that range. :-)

But as for pushing the classics, that's what I do. Marketing, bookshop windows, Internet, booktubers, friends etc. will push the others (lates..."

That's great! I think there will always be a market for great classics. Just look at the this group! I think people need a little push initially, but then get hooked. That initial motivation might come from FOMO, ego, self-improvement, a movie, boredom with the new books, or something appealing about a particular book. What do you think?

My 23 year old loves Nicholas Sparks. She’s been reading him for years. Also the movies based on his books are beautiful. She always buys and reads the book first and then goes to see the movie. She still hasn’t forgiven a friend who wrecked her copy of The Notebook.

It's been a long time since I've been in my 20s but I used to love Historical romances (Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer mostly and there's no sex usually just long lingering glances) and Spy books (Ludlum, Helen MacInnes, Evelyn Anthony) and war books (Force 10 from Naverone and stuff like that) and Agatha Christie.

My daughter is also into anything by Jodi Picoult, John Green, EL James (yes 50 Shades), Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, Husbands Secret, What Alice Forgot etc). Stuff like the Time Travellers Wife. She loved the book and the movie. Other than 50 Shades most of those would be good.

And she's currently rereading the complete Harry Potter series. She got to 4 when she was a kid so she's reading them all now. So are her 29 and 26 year old brothers by the way. And I'm up to 4 in my current reread. And Hubby is on 2. Yeahhhh A family of Potterheads. Now where was I?

Umm what else....This no sex thing is a bit limiting. Most books that aren't kiddie books have sex in one shape or form.
Margaret Atwood. Alias Grace or Handmaids Tale.
Nina George Little Paris Bookshop.
James Patterson Women's Murder Club.
Alice Hoffman Practical Magic or Rules of Magic.
Kristin Hannah The Nightingale.
Elizabeth Gilbert? Eat Pray Love (my 23 year old nieces favourite book at the moment).

Does she like Horror? I was into reading Stephen King at that age. My daughter loves the TV shows and movies made from his books. She’s been into horror for years. She's been doing more watching than reading recently. Other than reading Harry or a Nicholas Sparks if a movie is coming out.

Biographies and non fiction books would have bored me to tears personally (and probably my daughter as well unless they’re True Crime ones about Australian gangsters which she loves) but my 26 year olds 23 year old girlfriend only reads biographies. What about something like
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Story of the black women behind the space missions.

Or check Reece Witherspoon or Emma Watson's book clubs. They both pick some really great books. Emma mostly focuses on Feminist books and Reece is into strong female characters. Both ladies are strong role models themselves and are passionate about reading and encouraging others to read.

Anyhoo I hope this has been helpful.

I loved this kind of book when I was young too. I did like The Last Song (with the turtles, right?), and The Notebook. That realism piece is important. I like that they aren't as formulaic as some can be.

I really like the books by Lisa Wingate.

Justine wrote: "Yes, that was the one with the turtles :) Lately I have also read 'The Swans of Fifth Avenue' by Melanie Benjamin. It's semi-fiction based on life of Truman Capote and his complex relationship with..."

I felt that way when I saw the two biopics about him a few years back. Having a lot of people around doesn't necessarily prevent loneliness. (Being married doesn't either.) I was so surprised to learn of his childhood relationship with Harper Lee. He was a character in her book, and she helped him to research In Cold Blood.

Linda wrote: "I really like the books by Lisa Wingate."

I don't think I ever heard of her before this book. I love finding a new author to follow. I also never read a Jodi Picoult book until last summer. So many good books to read, so little time.

NancyJ wrote: ".... I think people need a little push initially, but then get hooked. That initial motivation might come from FOMO, ego, self-improvement, a movie, boredom with the new books, or something appealing about a particular book. What do you think? "."

I agree. The little push can even come with comics or graphic novels. Some are great indeed.

I thought The Circle was a modern, poor man's 1984. But it would be great for a young woman. Female lead, internet, privacy, and social media challenges as well as a theme of finding your self in the workplace as a young woman.

Thanks Chrissy, it's more current than 1984 anyway. Thanks!

Thanks, that sounds great.

Kim wrote: "Shanghai Girls by Lisa See was really captivating with the drastic change of class (wealthy to struggling), expectations versus reality theme, the showing of relatable people being forced to leave ..."

I really liked this book as well as the sequel, Dreams of Joy. Good mother-daughter relationship story.

I've wanted to read something from her too. Thanks.