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Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short
Serious readers and book clubs, author interviews, and more ...
Book Club News: June Issue
Hello Book Clubbers,
In this issue, we feature our book club discussions of Kevin Kwan’s Lies and Weddings, a story of wealth, seduction, and social intrigue reminiscent of Jane Austen, and The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris, which follows one character on a suspenseful journey beginning in Portland’s infamous Shanghai Tunnels in 1888.
We also share our findings on the total number of book club members in the United States, and why celebrity book clubs fall short of the hype for serious readers.
Plus, join us for upcoming book discussions and Ask the Author interviews in our community forum.
Thanks for reading,
The BookBrowse Team
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.
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan
From the Jacket Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories, manors and yachts, lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus's scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister's wedding at a luxury eco-resort, a veritable who's-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money. |  |
From the Discussion
“I’m a sucker for anything Jane Austen-adjacent and this was precisely that.” —Ann_Beman
“I really loved this book. The decadence is over the top, yet at times very funny. It will make a great movie, can’t wait. I’ll definitely recommend it to all my friends and book clubs.” —Melissa_Chaitin
See what people are saying in response to this question: Rosina tells Rufus she thought he’d have realized that he has “never been in a position to marry for love” (p. 211). How much do you think being wealthy, famous or royal dictates who you can have a relationship with or who you can wed?
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris
From the Jacket Oregon, 1888. Amid the subterranean labyrinth of Portland's notorious Shanghai Tunnels, a woman awakens in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. Celia soon realizes she's a "shanghaied" victim on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor, leaving behind those she loves most. Although well accustomed to adapting for survival―being half-Chinese, passing as white during an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment―she fears that far more than her own fate hangs in the balance. |  |
From the Discussion
“McMorris’s research is excellent and her writing enjoyable…Themes of family loyalty, ethnic prejudice, political intrigue, and violence against women are well-developed and dealt with.” —Laura_Poe
“My book club would really enjoy discussing this book.” —Holly_K
See what people are saying in response to this question: In the prologue, the woman we learn is Celia’s granddaughter says that she’s been shaped by “not just those on the branches of my family tree but also by their stories.” How do you think our forebears’ stories shape us?
Coming Soon! BookBrowse’s Book Club Guide
Building off of our Inner Lives of Book Clubs report and over two decades of research, we’re excited to announce that BookBrowse will be releasing a comprehensive guide for book club leaders looking to start and lead thriving book clubs. |  |
If you'd like to be one of the first to have access and get an exclusive discount, fill out our form by clicking below.
How Many People Are in Book Clubs in the US?
According to most sources, the current figure for how many Americans are in a book club is five million. However, this figure hasn't been updated in over 25 years, so a new estimate is long overdue. … continued |  |
Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers
In the world of literary enthusiasm, celebrity book clubs have become powerhouses of influence. These star-powered reading initiatives have unquestionably boosted book sales and reading visibility. Yet for serious readers, these glittering book clubs often fall short of what we're truly seeking … continued |  |
Ask the Author Interviews
Did you know BookBrowse is now hosting Ask the Author sessions in our community forum? Stop by to post your own questions and follow along. Recent authors we’ve interviewed include Renée Rosen and Chris Bohjalian. In June, we feature Q&As with Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, Stephanie Dray, and Allegra Goodman. We hope to see you there! |  |
Discussions
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 Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan and The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris, among many other books. Starting this week, we feature The Lamplighter’s Bookshop by Sophie Austin. |  |
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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