Symphony of the Dead
by Abbas Maroufi

Superficially, the story tells of a man heading out into the driving snow to find and kill his brother for their father’s inheritance. At another level, Symphony of the Dead examines the nature of a society in which poets are despised, women unheard, and father-figures omnipotent.

Length Of Book 250–300 pages	Where In The World? Middle East
Broad Theme/Genre General Fiction	Style Thought-provoking

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As vladimir nobocov also has said: " A work of art has no importance whatever to society. It is only important to the individual.” Symphony of the Dead is a book of individuality with expressive attitude toward persian history and memorable signs.

A Changed Man
by Francine Prose

Would you believe a Swastika-tattooed neo-Nazi who walks into a humanitarian organisation run by a Holocaust survivor, announcing he wants to make a radical change in his life and help their cause?

Length Of Book 400-500 pages	Where In The World? North America
Broad Theme/Genre Contemporary Life	Style Thought-provoking

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I have always felt that Francine Prose should be better known in the UK. If you're a fan of Philip Roth or Joyce Carol Oates, I guarantee you'd enjoy Francine's books, and A Changed Man in particular. She writes beautifully and is a joy to read.

Keeping Secrets
by Andrew Rosenheim

Keeping Secrets tells the story of Jack Renoir, a man who makes his living discovering other people’s secrets while making sure he keeps his own.

Length Of Book 350-400 pages	Where In The World? UK
Broad Theme/Genre Contemporary Life	Style Literary

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A gripping well written read

In a Good Light
by Clare Chambers

A perceptive, highly original depiction of the eccentricities of English suburban life: this is the story of Esther Fairchild who, at the age of thirty-four, has become trapped in a mundane routine until one day a face in the crowd jolts her out of her humdrum existence and forces her to question both her life and the past that has helped to shape it.

Length Of Book More that 500 pages	Where In The World? UK
Broad Theme/Genre Contemporary Life	Style Literary

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This was a bit like Unstolen by Wendy Jean or Hide and Seek by Clare Sambrook for me in that it was a unsentimental tale of childhood. I loved the story of Esther growing up with some very funny and excruciating moments while knowing that something momentous was going to happen. The ends tied up well and all in all a good story well told

The Solitude of Thomas Cave
by Georgina Harding

We first meet Thomas Cave through the eyes of Thomas Goodlard, a young man aboard the whaling ship Heartsease, who is fascinated by this enigmatic figure, calmly wagering that he can survive a year in the Arctic alone.

Length Of Book 250–300 pages	Where In The World? Arctic/Antarctica/At Sea
Broad Theme/Genre Adventure	Style Thought-provoking

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This book really appeals to me, it has definitely gone onto my "to read" list! Not sure what my reading group would think - some of them aren't very keen on "cold" books (whereas I always drift towards them!). But it does sound like the themes and ideas explored here would give plenty of discussion.

My Dirty Little Book of Stolen Time
by Liz Jensen

Charlotte is a wonderfully sharp-witted and resourceful protagonist who takes the reader on this time-travelling romp through the dark underworld of Copenhagen and the bright lights of 21st century London.

Length Of Book 300-350 pages	Where In The World? UK
Broad Theme/Genre Comedy	Style Light Narrative

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amused me greatly

Happiness
by Will Ferguson

An hysterically funny, disturbingly prescient and highly engaging parody, a book that takes a simple idea to its natural conclusion and in the course of doing so makes the reader both think hard and cry with laughter.

Length Of Book 300-350 pages	Where In The World? North America
Broad Theme/Genre Comedy	Style Literary

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This was meant to be a comedy but I didn't find it funny. I couldn't finish it as I didn't enjoy it at all.

A Sunday in the Pool in Kigali
by Gil Courtemenche

At the heart of the novel lies one of the darkest chapters in human history, the attempted genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus in 1994. Despite the book’s bleakness, it is also an extraordinary love story, one that no reader could fail to be ensnared by and reduced to a sobbing wreck.

Length Of Book 250–300 pages	Where In The World? Africa
Broad Theme/Genre General Fiction	Style Literary

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The events recounted in this book really do defy belief and as a book group book, it certainly gives a lot to talk about. However, I'd have to say that I actually prefer the film. The book reads to me as it's been translated from the French - long, wordy sentences etc - which of course it has.

The Flood
by David Maine

We assume we know the story of Noah and the Ark, of what happened when the world was flooded and everyone died bar Noah’s family but the truth is we only know a fraction of the story. Maine takes this highly dramatic tale and breathes life into it in the most daring of ways.

Length Of Book 250–300 pages	Where In The World? Arctic/Antarctica/At Sea
Broad Theme/Genre General Fiction	Style Literary

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I loved this short book about Noah, very clever and thought provoking.

I’m Not Scared
by Niccolo Ammaniti

Whilst playing with some friends in a dilapidated barn, Michele discovers a young boy who has been kidnapped, only to learn that the whole adult community, including his parents, are complicit in the crime.

Length Of Book 200-250 pages	Where In The World? Europe
Broad Theme/Genre General Fiction	Style Literary

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Very good........couldn't put it down. Very realistically and credibly seen through a child's eyes.