As school gets back in session and we return to our everyday schedules we find many book clubs are starting back up after taking the summer off. Book clubs are a great way to meet new people or socialize with friends. In my mind anytime we can stop and talk about books is a great time! Our book experts in store and our buyers are always on the look out for book club reads that are thought provoking and will both inspire, entertain and sometimes enrage the reader. We choose books that will lead to lively conversation for the most literary book clubs to the most casual book club groups. Here are some of our top choices for fall- some new books and some classics.

Fiction The Red Tent- Anita Diamant Beautifully written and set in biblical times, this historical fiction captures the beauty and strength of women alike. I recommend this if you liked The Secret Life of Bees or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

Velva Jean Learns to Drive- Jennifer Niven From a first time novelist, this book is set in Appalachia in the years before World War II. It is a poignant story of a spirited young girl growing up in the gold-mining and moon shining south. Reminiscent to ‘Bastard Out of South Carolina’ by Dorothy Allison, Velva Jean’s strength and spirit will never leave you.

Loving Frank - Nancy Horan Although Fiction, Horan’s novel about Frank Lloyd Wright and his love affair with Mamah Cheney, a married woman is stunning. You will enjoy discussing the choices Cheney makes and trying to understand the larger social structure around her. Horan visited Borders last year for a book club discussion. Click here to learn more. This will appeal to those who liked People of the Book, Olive Kitteredge or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Click here to view our book club with author Annie Barrows.

Spies of Warsaw - Alan Furst If your book club enjoys Thrillers this is a great choice. Full of intrigue, romance and action, this thriller is set during World War II and really captures the drama and the humanity of the time. Great for fans of Daniel Silva (Moscow Rules) or Stieg Larsson (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

Non-Fiction The Glass Castle- Jeanette Walls If your book club has not read this yet it is time! This memoir from Jeanette Walls is a classic book club choice. It is tragic yet, yet inspiring. Our buyer, Zan F says, “The Glass Castle is the memoir I recommend to anyone looking for brilliant storytelling. It reads like fiction because what Jeanette Walls went through as a child seems so extraordinary. This memoir is even more compelling because Walls shares her story with such candor and a lack of self-pity. One can only admire the woman she's become.” I read this a couple of years ago and there are still scenes in this book that I clearly remember. Truly unforgettable. If your book club has read this book you will be interested to know that Jeanette Walls second book, Half Broke Horses, goes on sale October 6th. Horses will look back at the life of Wall’s grandmother who was a pivotal person in her early life. Click here to view our exclusive interview with Jeanette Walls.

Three Cups of Tea- Greg Mortenson As we head back to school Three Cups of Tea will remind you how fortunate we are and how education can change people lives. Over a ten year period Mortenson helped build over 50 schools for girls in the mountains of Afghanistan. He also started a program called Pennies for Peace which has been providing these schools with school supplies. Mortenson talked with us about Three Cups of Tea at a book club discussion a couple of years ago. What I like about this book is that it also available in a kid's and picture book version which makes it a great candidate for mother-daughter book clubs as well as adult book clubs. Mortenson’s new book, Stones into Schools, comes out on December 1. It is the follow up to Three Cups of Tea and will provide readers an update as to what happened after Three Cups of Tea ended.

You will find all of these and more selections in the store. Look for our Book Club table as you walk in. Looking for a place to host your book club? We have plenty of room (and Seattle’s Best coffee!) at your local Borders. Stop by the store for details.