Yesterday, I attended my monthly book club meeting. We had a very good discussion about the Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Our club doesn’t always have such deep discussions, because, frankly, some of the books we read are not that deep. Though we tend to avoid political issues, on occasion we have ventured into more serious topics, such as death and racial discrimination. It’s certainly possible to have a lively back-and-forth after reading a popular novel, but for me it’s not as intriguing as when the discussion turns to weightier subjects, as it did yesterday. Here is a list of books I’ve recently read that I believe would encourage a serious book club exchange:

The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It’s a self-help book on a grand scale. Our discussion touched on religion, the role of education in influencing personal behaviors, and particular challenges we have faced within our own families.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a novel that is currently getting a lot of attention for its timely views on racial issues in the African-American community, from the perspective of a teenage girl.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. If a book club is not afraid to delve into a classic that is relevant to today’s U.S. political climate, it will certainly inspire opinion and conversation.

A Deep Dark Secret, by Kimberla Lawson Roby, who is a prolific author of novels that deal with real issues in society (for example domestic violence, infidelity, mental illness, etc.). A Deep Dark Secret is a novella about child abuse. At times, I found it difficult reading, but it gave me a lot to think about.

In a Lonely Place by Dorothy Hughes. Published in the late 1940s, this is an interesting look at the role of American women during that mid-century world, and one man’s horrific misogyny. It would be interesting to pair the book with a viewing of the film of the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart. There is much to compare and contrast.