Books to Discuss with Friends

Reading is often a solo activity, but a literary life never is. Books are better when they’re talked about. Here are some I’ve enjoyed discussing with friends. (Many of these are included in other lists because a good book is a multifaceted thing and never fits just one category.)

Bandersnatch by Diana Pavlac Glyer (2016)
Glyer is an Inklings scholar, and her book is full of fun and interesting stories about this group of Oxford men (including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) who gathered for 17 years to share their writing and provide support, critique, encouragement, and publicity for one another’s work. More than that, though, it’s a fascinating look at the role of collaboration in creative endeavor. Highly recommended (this is my second time reading it!), especially if you’re a writer or artist/musician/creative type, or if you like one or more of the Inklings.