Book Club for Men
Statistics are often tossed around the literary world claiming that women read more fiction than men. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that my husband does not read fiction. Ironic, isn’t it? I write fiction (albeit for a mostly female readership), but I can’t get him to pick up a novel unless I stalk him with it–leaving it on his nightstand, on his side of the bed, in his briefcase.
I also know plenty of women who participate in book clubs, but no men who do. So I got to thinking about a Book Club for Men (not to be confused with Hair Club for Men), and what works of fiction might spark good discussions for such a club. I came up with the following list for starters. If any of my male readers out there want to pipe in with other picks (or tell me that these sucked), feel free to leave a comment.
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. This is one of the best pieces of modern fiction I’ve read in the last decade. It is dry, disturbing, sad, smart, and sarcastic. I even found myself laughing out loud at times. Franzen’s attention to detail and wry observations on contemporary culture are astute and jarring.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. The story is mainly about the adolescence of a awkward, bookish, and overweight Dominican kid, Oscar de Leon, growing up in New Jersey. But, like most of the best books, it is about so much more than that. It spans through multiple generations and settings, and examines themes of individual and cultural identity, as told through the perspectives of Lola, Oscar’s runaway sister, and her boyfriend, Yunior (who also happens to be Oscar’s roommate at Rutgers). Oh, yeah, and there is plenty of badass Spanish slang and geeked-out comic references thrown in.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I picked this one because it was written by a woman, but is narrated from the perspective of a male character, Jacob Jankowski, a veterinary student who joins the circus at the end of the Great Depression. For anyone who ever dreamed of joining the circus (and you know you all did at one point), this novel is an honest, exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking glimpse into that lifestyle.
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annie
I’d recommend The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer. I loved it, my dad loved it.
Ann's Rants
My husband doesn’t read fiction either. I *believe* he occasionally reads my blog posts.
Exception: we fell in love over The Onion.
Reggie
I just checked my Amazon orders archive. Apparently I bought the corrections way back in March of 2005. Did you even know Bill back then? Just kidding.
Interestingly, it looks like I also ordered a replacement copy of Urge Overkill’s Saturation around that same time. It’s a bit disturbing that Amazon has my entire purchase history from 2001 forward so nicely catalogued. This is the first time I’ve looked at it. Granted it’s my purchase history (read: my opinion is biased), but it’s fairly fascinating stuff to review.
Ruta
I think that book clubs for men is such a great idea.
christian
Sci-fi: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Civil War buffs: “The Killer Angels”
Religious pluralism: Paulo Coelho’s “The Devil and Miss Prym” or “The Alchemist”
Classics: “The Plague,” “Heart of Darkness,” “Brothers K,” “All Quiet on the Western Front,” anything Hemingway, Steinbeck or I suppose some folks would say Faulkner.
Amy
Great picks! As a former bookseller I approve 🙂 After the imaginary book club was done with those, I’d add something by Kurt Vonnegut (maybe Cat’s Cradle or Slaughterhouse-Five?), The Life of Pi, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, The Brothers K by David James Duncan, and maybe a Prayer for Owen Meany… My husband would probably add the Infinite Jest but that would make everyone drop out.
Susan
I am currently in the process of finding a literary agent for my first novel. A few agents have requested the manuscript and are reviewing it, so keep your fingers crossed for me. In the meantime, I’m working on novel #2, which has a lot to do with vintage fashion (not surprisingly).
style maniac
hey–where can we buy your books?!?
style maniac
The men I know do read fiction but it’s what I call “airport fiction” — techie-macho-spy- adventure-escapism stuff. My husband recently told me he’s tiring of these and needs to up the quality of his choices. I’ll pass your list on to him.
Elizabeth
A guy friend lent me Oscar Wao, and shamefully, I have yet to read it. He loved it. Great description of Water for Elephants!
Kori
I think that you should add Xcellente (at least for Bill)!
Mike
Not that those are recommendations for others but I mostly read fiction.
Mike
Currently reading: Tinkers
In the past few months I’ve read:
The Curious incident of the Dog in Night-time
Netherlands
Wise Blood
Do Androids dream of Electirc Sheep?
Anansi Boys
The Stranger
Susan
Yes, and Bill read The Corrections on my recommendation.
Bill
Also, once it’s published, I’d strongly recommend that you buy at least 10 copies of Susan’s book.
Bill
OK Wife, that’s it. I’ve had it with this outrageous libel. I do read fiction, I just like nonfiction better. I did like “The Corrections” and “Water for Elephants.” I would also recommend anything by Chuck Palahniuk – especially “Survivor,” or anything by Irvine Welsh – especially “Filth.” So. There.
Reggie
Ironically, I picked up a copy of The Corrections on your husband’s recommendation years ago. Maybe I’ll read it one of these days.
P.S. is double irony comparable to a double rainbow? I guess you’ll have to wait for my YouTube video to find out.