A solution for book clubs that don't talk about the book.

Put down those cups of tea and get the boxing gloves on.

There’s nothing better than a hot issue to get your next book club red hot and firing. Whether it is an ethical dilemma about embryo or genetic testing, a family drama or the chance to dissect someone else’s reading habits, Cheryl Akle from Better Reading has 8 books guaranteed to ruffle feathers.

After all, nothing like a healthy argument to strengthen a friendship.

1. Claiming Noah by Amanda Ortlepp

When a couple give birth to one child and donate the remaining embryo after a round of IVF, an emotional and highly charged tale ensues that’s bound to spark fierce debate at any book club.

2. A God In Ruins by Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson delves into the big life questions – parenthood, religion, time, war. If you loved discussing Life After Life with your book club, you’ll want to do Atkinson’s next novel A God In Ruins, which returns to the story of Ursula’s beloved brother Teddy.

3. The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett

Novels that play with time and present ‘what if?’ scenarios are great for generating discussion at book clubs, leading to questions around fate and destiny and how the tiniest change in decisions could have affected our lives profoundly.

4. In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

Any fans of Judy Blume’s young adult books at your book club? They’re likely to enjoy her new novel for adults which is based on true events when three plane crashes occur in three months in a small town in New Jersey.

5. Wild Wood by Posie Graeme-Evans

The woman behind the hit television series McLeod’s Daughters has written an intriguing tale about a woman who, following an accident, channels peoples and places from another time. Book clubs who like a historical fiction will love this one.

6. Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova

In her latest novel, the writer of the unforgettable Still Alice explores the awful events surrounding a father enduring the ‘cruellest disease’ – Huntingdon’s. It’s a genetic disease that means all his children must face the terrible dilemma of whether to be tested and learn their fate or simply wait and see.

7. Muse by Jonathan Galassi

People who love books often like to read about other people who love books and this is one of those – a New York City bookseller is obsessed by a famous poet.

8. Charlie Anderson’s General Theory of Lying by Richard McHugh

Funny and thought provoking, this novel is sure to invite lots of debate at your book club with its tale of a guy who is a ‘first class liar and seducer’ becoming unstuck.

Better Reading is an independent book recommendation initiative and news site dedicated to helping people discover great books and authors, both past and present, to captivate an audience of all ages. Better Reading: Books that won’t let you down. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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