The only thing better than a good book is being able to share the experience with friends. Book Clubs are used to connect people, ideas and stories. At Lincoln Place, our Book Clubs have been both popular and proven to bring our communities together over the simple pleasure of reading.

With our busy and increasingly digital lives, it can be easier to scroll through Netflix to find entertainment to enjoy the afternoon. Book Clubs encourage us to put down our screens and pick up something we might not have found otherwise. Whether it’s the newest crime thriller, or a suggestion from a fellow member, readers are encouraged to expand their literary horizons. This variety is what makes Book Clubs so exciting, introducing us to new stories that can challenge our familiar time and place.

Regardless of whether you are settling into a new community, or looking to connect further with existing residents, Book Clubs are a perfect place for friendship. In discussions, an opinion or a personal story may be shared that allows you to get to know someone. A novel may encourage some lively debates over history, politics and relationships. These conversations allow you to get to know people beyond the casual pleasantries.

There is no better example of the benefits of Book Clubs than Officer Lifestyle Estate’s community run group. The group recently read Force of Nature by Jane Harper; a crime mystery set in Australian bushland. After only four women return from a five-person bushwalk, a federal investigator begins to uncover secrets deeper than one disappearance. The read was a success with the group, as many of their choices have been!

Wanting to start a book club in your community? Here are some great first reads to get the ball rolling.

First Reads List

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All the Light We Cannot See

A 2014 World War II novel by Anthony Doerr. The novel revolves around a blind French girl Marie-Laure as she takes refuge in her great-uncle’s house to escape Nazi occupation of Paris. In a parallel storyline, readers are also introduced to Werner Pfenning, a smart German boy rising through the military ranks. Doerr reflects on the destruction of war, while championing humanity. The film has recently been adapted by Netflix as a series, meaning Book Club readers can watch after reading and continue discussions.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Image

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

For a lighter read, the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a 2017 novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The story focuses on Evelyn Hugo, an Old Hollywood movie star, as she truthfully retells her life to a young journalist writing her story, revealing secrets and conspiracies previously unknown to the public. An entertaining and engaging read, the New York Times bestseller can help get members out of a ‘reading slump’.

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Educated

A memoir from Tara Westover, her story is hard not to find inspiring. After being born to survivalists in the Idaho mountains, she did not attend a classroom until aged 17. Tara Westover then begins a journey of self-invention, discovering the power of education. The book is a brilliant ready for a community who wants to gain insight into perspectives often unheard.