From informal get-togethers with friends to groups at bookstores and chat rooms on the Internet, people everywhere are talking about books. Vintage and Anchor Books invite you to discover today's best selections for reading groups and access useful resources to facilitate your group discussion here at the Reading Group Center.

The Careful Use of Compliments
An Isabel Dalhousie Novel
by Alexander McCall Smith
Bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Isabel Dalhousie--the nosiest and most sympathetic philosopher you are likely to meet--is busy juggling new developments in her personal and professional life. However, nothing can keep her away from man intriguing mystery. And when she recognizes that two paintings attributed to a deceased artist have simultaneously appeared on the market, she can't help but think that they're forgeries. So Isabel begins an investigation and soon finds herself on a path of inquiry into the soul of an artist.

  • NEW! Browse inside the book.
  • Read an excerpt.
  • Check out Alexander McCall Smith's tour schedule.
  • Print our free Reading Group Guide.
  • Visit the author's official Web site to join the fan club and more.
  • Buy the book.

    Also available in the Isabel Dalhousie series--now with newly redesigned covers. Click to find out more:
           

    (Featured Selections are updated monthly. For more information on upcoming selections, visit our Monthly Planner section.)



    • Matrimony
    A Novel
    by Joshua Henkin

    A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW NOTABLE BOOK

    "An intimate epic.... Henkin is a master of scene-making.... [He has] a knack for isolating the fine, vivid detail."
    --Chicago Tribune

    Browse inside the book, schedule an Author Chat with Joshua Henkin, read an excerpt, check out Joshua Henkin's tour, print our free Reading Group Guide, and visit the author's Web site.
    Buy the book.

     


    Bridge of Sighs
    by Richard Russo
    Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls

    #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

    "A magnificent, bighearted new novel and an astounding achievement.... A masterpiece."
    --The Boston Globe

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt, check out Richard Russo's tour, and print our free Reading Group Guide.
    Buy the book.

     


    Songs Without Words
    A Novel
    by Ann Packer
    author of The Dive from Clausen's Pier

    NATIONAL BESTSELLER

    "Packer's voice [has] extraordinary authority.... Compassionate, rich in solace."
    --The New York Times Book Review

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt and an interview with the author, check out Ann Packer's tour, print our free Reading Group Guide, and visit the author's official Web site at www.annpacker.com.
    Buy the book.

     


    Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician
    A Novel
    by Daniel Wallace
    author of Big Fish

    "Poignant and provocative.... Wallace's lush verbal invention is his real genius."
    --Los Angeles Times

  • Browse inside the book, read an excerpt and print our free Reading Group Guide.
    Buy the book.

     


    • In the Land of No Right Angles
    A Novel
    by Daphne Beal

    AN ANCHOR BOOKS ORIGINAL

    "An unpredictable journey of the spirit and flesh.... [An] enchanting, at times perilous, tale of love, magic, and illusion."
    --Elle

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt and an interview with the author, check out Daphne Beal's tour, and print our free Discussion Resources for Reading Groups.
    Buy the book.

     


    The Water's Lovely
    by Ruth Rendell
    New York Times Bestselling Author

    "The queen of the psychological suspense novel.... [A] subtly horrifying story."
    --The New York Times

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt, print our free Reading Group Guide, and find out more about this and other mystery/thriller titles on our Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Web site at www.blacklizardcrime.com.
    Buy the book.

     


    Practicing
    A Musician's Return to Music
    by Glenn Kurtz

    "Graceful.... A lovely, unique book.... A personal journey [that] becomes universal, elevating all in the process."
    --Los Angeles Times

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt and an interview with the author, and print our free Reading Group Guide.
    Buy the book.

     


    Check out these great reads to share with your book club, then see the films in theaters or on DVD!

    Visit our Screening Room Web site to watch movie trailers, view movie art, and find out more.


    The Dying Animal
    by Philip Roth
    Puliltzer Prize-winning author of American Pastoral

    The Inspiration for the Major Motion Picture ELEGY

    "A disturbing masterpiece."
    --The New York Review of Books

    Read an excerpt, print our free Reading Group Guide, watch the movie trailer, and visit the movie site to find out more.
    Buy the book.

     


    Brideshead Revisited
    by Evelyn Waugh

    "A many-faceted book.... Beautifully [written] by one of the most exhilarating stylists of our time."
    --Newsweek

    Print our free Discussion Resources for Reading Groups, watch the movie trailer, and visit the movie site to find out more.
    Buy the book.

     


    Fugitive Pieces
    by Anne Michaels

    #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
    A New York Times Notable Book
    Winner of the Lannan Literary Fiction Award
    Winner of the Guardian Fiction Award

    "Extraordinarily magical."
    --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

    Browse inside the book, read an excerpt, print our free Reading Group Guide, watch the movie trailer, and visit the movie site to find out more.
    Buy the book.

     

    		 
    Author Chat:
    Enter your group to win a phone call from Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony!

    On the Big Screen
    Check out the books that inspired the latest movies! Find out more at the Screening Room.

    Fan Club
    Join the official Alexander McCall Smith Fan Club.

    Mystery Lovers
    Click here for everything from classic crime to the latest in suspense from Black Lizard.

    Para lectores de español

    Award Winners:
    Check out our complete list of award winners from Vintage and Anchor Books!

    Reading Group Guides:
    Browse our complete list of over 450 Reading Group Guides

    Or print our Discussion Resources to facilitate discussion no matter which book you choose.


    Read more. . .


    Find out about community-wide reading programs across the country.

    Bookseller materials including Anniversary promotion logos, merchandising ideas, special programs and events for reading group outreach.

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    From Sharon B. of Queensland, Australia:

    "We've been meeting once a month for about 6 years now and a few years ago the meeting seemed to lose something and conversation was no longer primarily about books. So I chose each person's name at random, they each have their own month and its their call. They choose the book, venue and how the meeting will run. I feel that this has given ownership back to each member, applied a tiny amount of pressure (which is healthy) and we never know how the meeting is going to pan out until we are there."
    Read more....

    What is your group up to? Share your novel ideas here.