This month, our online book club is hosting two new discussions: The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan, a historical novel that follows Abraham Lincoln's rise to the presidency from an unexpected perspective; and Young Man, Muddled, a coming-of-age memoir by accomplished biographer and nonfiction writer Robert Kanigel.

And be sure to check out our selection of reviewer-curated reading lists that may just contain your next great book club pick!

Very best,

Davina Morgan-Witts

Nancy Horan, author of the million-copy New York Times bestseller Loving Frank, returns with a sweeping historical novel, which tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's ascendance from rumpled lawyer to U.S. president to the Great Emancipator through the eyes of a young asylum-seeker who arrives in Lincoln's home of Springfield from Madeira, Portugal.

"An informative and enjoyable historical novel. The reader takes a journey with Ana Ferreira, a 14-year-old house maid of Abraham Lincoln, and experiences from a different perspective the growth of Lincoln as a political force and leader." —carriem

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this historical novel! I learned a great deal about Mary Lincoln and how Lincoln 'grew' into his position as President." —susannd

"For me, The House of Lincoln is a historical novel about the city of Springfield, IL. While we learn a lot about Lincoln, he and his family are used to help us understand the times." —MariontheLibrarian

In this, his first memoir, celebrated biographer and non-fiction book author Robert Kanigel tells of "muddling" his way into adulthood, love, and a new life. The 1950s formed him first; then the 1960s got their grip on him.

"For the most part I don't really want to read about the lives of the rich and famous. My response is generally, 'Why should I care about this person's experience?' Recently, though, I've read two memoirs I've really connected with - this one and You'll Forget This Ever Happened (also a BookBrowse book group selection). Which got me thinking that for a memoir to be interesting to me it has to be relatable." —kimk

"I enjoy books that take me back in time or to places I've visited. I felt what he wrote about was honest, insightful and beautifully crafted." - janines

"His writing is almost lyrical, weaving and connecting just like life does...he has the knack for making his story both interesting and extremely well written. I have read too many memoirs that lack that kind of polish." —Meg J

On BookBrowse, you can search for recommended books by genre, time period, setting and a wide range of themes.

But did you know that you can also browse hundreds of specialized reading lists in our "beyond the book" section to find great recommendations for your book club?

Here are a few that may be useful for choosing titles to spark your next discussion.

Carol Smith's Crossing the River recounts the death of her young son, Christopher, in combination with stories of other people who have experienced loss. In an interview with Hippocampus Magazine, Smith recalls memoirs about grief that have been influential for her. Here are some of the books she mentions, along with other significant memoirs of grief and loss. ...Read More

Over the past couple of decades, it's become more socially acceptable to talk and to write about the complexities of motherhood. It's also become less taboo to acknowledge - as Rose does in The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas - that motherhood is not the right choice for every woman. The following books articulate, in different ways, the ambivalence or unease many women feel toward the prospect of becoming mothers. ...Read More

Particularly over the last ten years, fiction has seen a flourishing of interest in older characters. It can be inspirational to engage with protagonists who, like Olive Kitteridge in Olive, Again, know their own minds and aren't passively drifting towards infirmity and death. They're living each day of their lives, and seizing the adventures and chances at love that come their way. ...Read More

Recent Reinterpretations of Pride and Prejudice

Unmarriageable might be the first version of Pride and Prejudice set in Pakistan, but it's hardly the only creative retelling of this classic novel. Fortunately for fans of Jane Austen, several other imaginative reworkings of her beloved novel have been published recently - perhaps a Jane Austen book club could tackle any or all of these and compare different versions of Austen's timeless classic! ...Read More

The Latecomers utilizes a multi-generational structure to bring the stories of the Hollingworth family members vividly to life. Here a few more novels that employ a similar narrative structure. ...Read More

For more themed recommendations, check out other recently featured reading lists, or click below to see our full selection. Members can browse all reading lists, while non-members can browse a limited number of lists.

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.

At the moment, we're discussing The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, The House of Lincoln by Nancy Horan and Young Man, Muddled by Robert Kanigel.

After these discussions, we'll be taking a short break for summer before resuming with a new lineup of books starting in late August.

Usually published once a month, Book Club News is one of BookBrowse's four free newsletters. We also publish BookBrowse Highlights every Thursday, Publishing This Week every Sunday; and Librarian News monthly.