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fall book club picks

Drumroll please … doors are now open for the fall season of the MMD Book Club.

Reading is a solitary act, but there’s so much to be gained by reading together. Our one-of-a-kind online community makes it easy to connect with fellow bookish kindred spirits for fun, for encouragement, and for a more fulfilling reading experience.

We’re making a change that takes effect this fall: in the future, we’ll be announcing Book Club picks in seasons—so you can know what’s coming, plan ahead, source your books, maybe get on the library request list. And know exactly what we’ll be reading for the three-month interval.

Each month we read one core title together, plus complementary, optional selections that create a “book flight.”

Today I’m happy to announce our fall picks!

SEPTEMBER:

We’ll read one of my personal favorites, Crossing to Safety. This story of four friends begins on a college campus, which makes this a perfect pick for back-to-school season.

We’re pairing this with Thomas Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor, a book that will change the way you think about all the fiction you read.

OCTOBER:

We’ll read Young Jane Young, the soon-to-be-released new novel from Gabrielle Zevin, author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry. It’s smart, well-written, and SO VERY DISCUSSABLE. This is the story of a young Congressional intern who sleeps with her boss, spurring a political scandal that ends her career, but not his. This story is told by three generations of affected women—a structure that totally works and is so fun to read.

Bonus: author Gabrielle Zevin will join us in October to discuss her work! These author chats are so fabulous—it’s hard to communicate just how and why they’re so great, you need to experience one for yourself!

We’re pairing this with So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, an absorbing read that’s also more than a little terrifying for anyone who ever uses the internet.

NOVEMBER:

November calls for something a little darker, a little cozier—so we’re reading L. M. Montgomery’s Emily of New Moon. If you come to Montgomery’s later, darker series expecting to find a second Anne, you’re bound to be disappointed. (Luckily, my grade school self had no such preconceived notions. This was the first book that I finished under the covers with a flashlight at 2:00 a.m. because I had to know where Emily’s hopes, dreams, and disappointments led her.) If you can’t stop and read the whole trilogy, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of fellow readers to happily discuss all three books with you!

We’ll pair this with the wonderfully-written journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery, for the insight they give into Montgomery’s life and work. It’s probably not what you’re expecting, and there’s so much to talk about here! (I’m recommending you begin with Volume I, but honestly, any of her writings will give you that glimpse behind the scenes, and give you plenty to discuss with your fellow readers.)

For further reading, you may enjoy Mary Henley Rubio’s biography The Gift of Wings, but read Emily and the journals first.

NOVEMBER CLASS:

Another class is coming your way! Tentative name: One Hour to a Better Bookstagram. Regardless of what we call it, we’re diving in to how to create a beautiful bookstagram feed. (Bookstagram= books + instagram, and for a look at what I’m talking about, I share ten of my favorite bookstagram accounts right here.) We’re focusing on how to take beautiful and inspiring bookish photos for the fun of it, and for the love of books and reading.

Class access is included with your membership.

Our fall season runs from September 1 to November 30. Membership is NOW OPEN, and will close on September 5. (Join now and catch our Joshilyn Jackson chat on August 3.)

Membership in the MMD Book Club costs $10 per month and registration is quick, easy, and secure. Click here to get started.

I hope you’ll join us this fall!

30 comments

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  1. Emily DeArdo says:

    I JUST read Crossing to Safety. ha! At least it’s fresh in my mind! And I love the Emily books. It’s been awhile since I read Emily of New Moon so I’m looking forward to going back to her!

  2. Christine says:

    So excited about these selections! I listened Crossing to Safety on audio last year and absolutely loved it. I immediately bought a print copy of it with the intention of rereading it very soon. Perfect timing! I also loved the Emily series as a child and have been wanting to revisit it. This is the perfect opportunity to find my copies (or maybe buy new prettier ones…) and read with the MMD community. Thanks Anne!

  3. Sue Dix says:

    I like this way of announcing a season of books and they all sound wonderful. I haven’t read any of these and I’m looking forward to our discussions. I’m so happy to part of this wonderful bookish community.

  4. Melyssa says:

    I haven’t read any of the main books but have read the supplemental So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. It gave me a lot to think about! Looking forward to these.

  5. Debi Morton says:

    I have heard you talk about Crossing to Safety and the Emily books as being some of your favorites ever since I started listening to WSIRN, but have never read them. Although, I have at least downloaded the Emily trilogy. I’m very excited that they are in the Fall Lineup. Plus, I’ve also been hearing good buzz about Young Jane Young on more than one podcast, so looking forward to that one, as well.

  6. Carol says:

    Crossing to Safety is a lifetime favorite that I haven’t reread for quite awhile. I’m thrilled to revisit it! Young Jane Young was on my reading wish list, because The Storied Life of AJ Fikry was such a pleasure–looking forward to our A+ list. Very nice picks, Anne, thank you, thank you.

  7. Brandi says:

    Every single book is on my TBR list! I’m so excited! I have always wanted to read Emily of New Moon, however, I have never taken the time. Now I will!! Thanks so much, Anne!!! 🙂

  8. Paula says:

    I’ve put all the fall books on my need to get list. I really love this new way of getting the titles by season as it helps me get better organized!

  9. Sheryl D. Anderson says:

    Oh Anne! You’ve done it again~~~put together a fabulous lineup of great books for us to read, ponder, & discuss. I am looking forward to this fun experience with such a great group of fellow readers. Thanks.

  10. Kate says:

    I’m sooooo excited for the fall reads! I own two of these books and have been meaning to read them forever (Crossing to Safety & Emily of New Moon) and now I have the impetus to dig in. What a great way to get everyone pumped for fall reading with plenty of planning time – thanks, Anne 🙂

  11. Barb says:

    I’ve never participated in an online book club and have a few questions about how this all works. Does everyone have the book finished by the time the forums are open (Sept. 1 for Crossing to Safety)? Or is everyone reading the book during that month and commenting as you go?

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