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Music, Mystery & a Story of the Lusitania
Evie Woods, Shana Abé, Roisín O'Donnell, contemporary reading guides, and more ...
Book Club News: March Issue
Hello Book Clubbers,
In this issue, we bring you our book club members’ conversation about Evie Woods’ recent The Violin Maker’s Secret, the charming story of a violin’s journey through history.
Members are also talking about Shana Abé’s A Crown of Stars, which focuses on the sinking of the Lusitania and a pair of sisters active in the performing arts of the early 20th century.
We also highlight the paperback release of Roisín O'Donnell’s Nesting, a finely drawn story about trying to escape domestic abuse. Feel free to use the accompanying discussion questions with your book club.
Plus, browse reading guides for books set in the contemporary era, check out our book club guide if you haven’t already, and explore our recent and upcoming discussions and Ask the Author interviews.
Thanks for reading,
The BookBrowse Team
A young mother filled with regret returns to Sullivan’s Island to rebuild her life and finds compassion in the most unexpected places in this heartfelt women’s fiction story of self-discovery and second chances from bestselling author T. I. Lowe, whose novels have been described as “soul-stirring, unforgettable romance” (BookPage). |  |
Book Club Discussions
Discussions are open to all! If you’d like to participate, you can do so by creating an account here. Please note that discussions can contain spoilers.
The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods
From the Jacket Hewn by a master and passed down through generations, one violin charts its own course through history… Baggage claim agent Devlin, retired teacher Walter, and appraiser Gabrielle should have nothing in common, but when a single choice sets in motion a new chapter in the violin's story, they finally feel a part of something – something that matters, and which makes them matter. Because as their search for the violin's origins unlocks a mystery stretching back decades, the instrument teaches them a melody they never expected. |  |
From the Discussion
“I really enjoyed this very engaging book and I learned a lot. Paganini’s unique hands and fingers will be forever in my brain. I liked the different perspectives and time frames.” —Linda_Monaco
“There was a touch of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman with Walter’s character, and a bit of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams as it relates to the music. It took me a bit at first to realize that the violin was ‘speaking’ but I thought it was a great way to fill in gaps between the various ‘owners.’” —Joyce_Montague
See what people are saying in response to this question: Multiple characters find healing through music after trauma. Do you agree that creative pursuits can help process difficult experiences?
A Crown of Stars by Shana Abé
From the Jacket A sumptuously vivid and poignant account of the Lusitania's fateful last days, drawn from the true story of an extraordinary young actress who survived the unthinkable—for fans of Marie Benedict, Louis Bayard, Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and HBO's The Gilded Age. From the Discussion “I would recommend it to readers of historical fiction especially because it covers a period of history often not covered in historical novels and I also feel it would be a great book for book groups.” —Carrie_Marlowe |  |
“I enjoyed this book much more than expected. It gripped me from the beginning and held on till the end.” —Marie_L
See what people are saying in response to this question: Charles tells Rita, “[T]he key to lasting success…isn’t luck or even necessarily talent. It’s having the public recognize you right away…” What did you think of this statement? Do you think it was true at the time? Is it true today?
Featured Paperback
Stay on top of paperback releases for your book club with our Recent Paperbacks section, and discover additional content for featured titles, including reviews, “beyond the book” articles, and discussion questions. Below is just one new paperback we recommend.
Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell
Roisín O'Donnell's debut novel, Nesting, opens with what appears to be a perfect family on an outing: a strong, strikingly handsome husband and his gorgeous wife out for a day on the beach with their two little girls. Readers quickly understand: Ryan is emotionally abusive and Ciara has been trapped in this marriage, manipulated into believing she's a bad wife and mother. The next day, she snaps. She decides while Ryan is at work that she must leave and she must leave now. … continued Review by Kim Kovacs |  |
Contemporary Books Reading Guides
We have more than 750 featured titles in our Contemporary reading guides category, all with helpful discussion questions for your book club’s convenience. Explore these for recommended fiction and nonfiction about modern social, political, economic, and environmental realities; navigating family, friendship, and romance in today’s world; and much more. This is one of 100+ themed categories available to BookBrowse members. Non-members can view a limited version of our category lists. |  |
A Club of One’s Own and Curated Guides
Checked out our book club guide yet? Whether you're dreaming of starting your first club or looking to breathe new life into an existing one, A Club of One's Own is your essential companion. Expanding on our 2019 Inner Lives of Book Clubs, BookBrowse, a trusted voice in the world of reading groups, offers a practical, inclusive, and inspiring guide to building a book club that lasts. From crafting your club's vision to navigating tricky group dynamics, this guide is packed with insights on everything from choosing discussion-worthy books to leading meaningful conversations. This guide and others draw from more than two decades of book club research and editorial content. View them all in our Curated Guides section. |  |
Discussions & Ask the Author Interviews
Discussions are open to all, so please join us! If you would like to receive a message when a particular discussion opens, you can sign up for a one-time notification. You can also find inspiration for your book club among our more than 200 past discussions. Currently, we’re discussing Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, among other books. |  |
Starting March 12, we feature The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland and Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart.
BookBrowse regularly hosts Ask the Author sessions in our community forum. We invite you to follow along and post your own questions in any future interviews that interest you. In the meantime, see our recent conversation with Lily King, author of Heart the Lover and other books. |  |
About BookBrowse
BookBrowse offers a cornucopia of resources for book clubs, including recommended books by genre, time period, setting, and a wide range of themes; advice on starting and running a book club; and much more!
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