For more than five years, Jerry Marzullo of Berwyn, Illinois, has worked as a labor attorney and partner at Puchalski Goodloe Marzullo, LLP, in Berwyn. Beyond his legal activities, Jerry Marzullo is an avid reader. He engages with several reading clubs and also enjoys creative writing.
There have been several popular book club selections in recent years, including Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Individuals familiar with these titles may note that they run the gamut from historical fiction to sci-fi and even memoir. So, what is it exactly that makes for a good book club selection?
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that a book club is designed to facilitate discussion among members. While beach reads may fit the bill, it is best to avoid romances, thrillers, and the like, as they traditionally offer a straightforward narrative with relatively little subtext. That said, clubs should avoid falling into a habit of reading only lengthy, complex literary novels.
Another benefit of joining a book club is reading titles you might not normally come across. Variety is key to a book club’s success. Try a novel, followed by a biography, followed by a short-story collection, and so on.
Lastly, each club must establish a clear selection process. There should be a discussion and perhaps a vote before a book is officially selected. It is also advisable to make use of a shorter selection process, as opposed to making multiple selections or plotting out the entire year ahead of time. Instead, clubs should leave themselves open to new titles that may pop up.
