Suggestions for an older ladies book club? > Likes and Comments

I work in a library and lead the older ladies book club (ladies in their 70's, 80's and one who is 94). It's so hard to find books for them that aren't too "racy" or full of profanity as most of us are Christians. Looking for suggestions, don't have to be Christian in nature, just really good books that make our meetings and discussions fun for them.
All suggestions appreciated!

Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Other Dangers of Southern Living will make them laugh out loud.

While the World Is Still Asleep I liked this one, it's about a woman who wants to ride a new invention called the velocipede, in public!

Anything by Christina Baker Kline

The Dutch House was good and I don't remember any bad words, no sex. Family drama.

I absolutely adored Meet Me at the Museum it's written in letters between two people. If the don't mind the letter format then try The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and 84, Charing Cross Road

P.S. Those are all books I would like my 82 y.o. mom to read but the woman is addicted to westerns. So they might like anything by Louis L'Amour or Elmer Kelton both are squeaky clean.

Vonna wrote: "I work in a library and lead the older ladies book club (ladies in their 70's, 80's and one who is 94). It's so hard to find books for them that aren't too "racy" or full of profanity as most of us..."

here is a list sarah Mackenzie just posted and I can't imagine any of them are unclean. https://readaloudrevival.com/series/a...

Also, i really enjoyed The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor. As far as Christian authors, Collen Coble is excellent, Denise Hunter is great for light "hallmarkish" heartwarming types of stories. Amanda Lauer books are good. MaryBeth Whalen's early books were good. (i have not read her recent ones.) Rachel Hauck is another great Christian author. Oh! Karen Kingsbury is so good! They may enjoy Debbie Maccomber. Women of that age may like Jan Karon. Then, just classics, Jane Austen, Little Women, Willa Cather and so on. Hope these help! God bless them! I hope I am still in book clubs at that age. :)

I forgot to mention Lisa Wingate. And I enjoyed Grounded Hearts by Jaenne M Dickson. I don't recall anything inappropriate in that. (I believe the author is Christian)

Where the mountain meets the moon.

Thanks to all for the recommendations! Two we have read in the past and enjoyed. We have a huge selection of Christian fiction and do enjoy Coble, Hunter and Kingsbury so I'll add them to the list.
Have made note of the suggested titles and appreciate your input!

Perhaps I can entice you to read my latest book, Celestial Persuasion

Abigail Isaacs fears ever again falling under the power of love and dedicates her life to studying the heavens. However, upon her father’s demise she finds herself in reduced circumstances and must write to her brother, who has long been away at sea. When instead Captain Wentworth of the HMS Laconia sends a tragic reply, Abigail is asked to set aside her own ambitions and fulfill her brother’s dreams in the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata.

In his relentless pursuit for justice, Lieutenant Raphael Gabay lends his sword to the Spanish American cause. But as he prepares to set sail with the others, he is entrusted with the care of a young woman. She is quite unlike anyone he has ever known, and Raphael wonders whether the brilliant astronomer will see beyond his frivolous façade and recognize his true nature.

Their destinies have been plotted beyond the celestial veil; their charts foretell of adventure. Can these two troubled souls be persuaded to heed the stars and find love—and their purpose—in this fledgling nation?

#ColonialArgentina #Regency #Jewishprotagonist #Sweetromance #Austeninspired

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel pie Society, The Printed Letter Bookshop, or The Necklace.

Being Ethel, In a World That Loves Lucy by Michele Olson is a wonderful book. The characters are so fun & takes place on Mackinac Island. Our book club read it and everyone loved it.

Clean Read Author's I have enjoyed reading include Rick Bragg, Sean Dietrich, Charles Martin, Fannie Flagg, Amor Towels, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Bronte. Thomas Nelson Publishing also provides a host of comforting clean authors.

Faith Sullivan

Jan karon series is great

Jan Karon books

Just read These Silent Woods. It was so, so good, and would be a great discussion for a book club.

I recommended The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox Jr. to my mother-in-law and she loved it. It may difficult to get in some libraries.

Also (as an older lady) I loved:

Wish you Well by David Baldacci
Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton (It was hilarious.)

Also I just discovered Don Reid but have only read his Christmas story, "O Little Town". He is one of the Statler Brothers but is also a good writer.

Thanks for your suggestions. Will take a look at each one.
Love Don Reid, by the way!

I read These Silent Woods and will read more of that author. Thanks for the recommendation.

I write books that are adventurous and clean. My cozy mystery is about a group of seniors who solve a burglary called Blessings from the Wrong Side of Town. It has a little religion in it, namely but isn't preachy at all. See my Goodreads page C.S. Kjar. Thanks!

I loved "Peace Like A River" and "Virgil Wander" by Leif Enger. Literary fiction.

@Vonna what have you chosen for the ladies and did they enjoy it?

It sounds like you may be like me. I forget about language in a book or movie so just wanted to add a little note that "Walking across Egypt" isn't squeaky clean in the language department. I'm listening to it now and when Wesley speaks there is quite a bit of cussing including F-bombs. His Uncle the Dog catcher uses some mild language.Not picking at you at all. I just wanted those who want squeaky clean to be forewarned.
Diane wrote: "I recommended The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox Jr. to my mother-in-law and she loved it. It may difficult to get in some libraries.

Also (as an older lady) I loved:

Wish you Well b..."

You could try books by Elizabeth Gaskell, I especially like Wives and Daughters.

Miss Buncle's Book by D E Stevenson

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor

Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomgery

CindySR wrote: "@Vonna what have you chosen for the ladies and did they enjoy it?"

Due to the pandemic and horrible weather conditions on meeting day, we haven't met in three months. We are scheduled to meet in April and are reading Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin. I've only read one of his other books but I enjoyed it. I think they'll like this one too!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and know that all will be noted and taken into consideration! Happy Reading!

CindySR wrote: "@Vonna what have you chosen for the ladies and did they enjoy it?"

The HIdeaway by Lauren Denton. We are discussing this afternoon.

Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

Marilyn wrote: "Island of Sea Women by Lisa See"

Will take a look!

Leota's Garden, by Francine Rivers
An 84 year old woman is surprised when her 18 year old granddaughter shows up at her door and wants to build a relationship with her.

Dear Mad'm, by Stella Walthall Patterson
An 80 year old woman decides to go live on her mining claim in a remote area of far-northern California. This is a memoir, written with humor. Much recommended.

Great ideas! Thanks to all!

Just read Don Reid's "O Little Town" and loved it. Have another of his books ordered. Thanks for the suggestion!

Any Charles Martin books. He’s the author of the Murphy Shepherd series, The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper. I’ve loved all of his books.

Hello Vonna,

Your book club might enjoy my series of clean historical novels, "Davenport House", which follows the lives of a wealthy family and their servants in 1915 America. Fast-paced history, mystery, and romance.

Vonna wrote: "I work in a library and lead the older ladies book club (ladies in their 70's, 80's and one who is 94). It's so hard to find books for them that aren't too "racy" or full of profanity as most of us..."

I'm an author of wholesome, adventurous books and that may disqualify me from posting. My cozy mystery is about a trio of elderly people who were robbed and use the assistance of the Christian Church group to solve the mystery. Blessings from the Wrong Side of Town by C.S. Kjar. I have a series about three estranged sisters who must come together to save their mother's estate. They are the daughters of Father Time so there is a little magic involved. Secrets of the Clock by C.S. Kjar Thank you for letting me comment.

Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict was good and clean

Any book by Grace Livingston Hill is clean, and wholesome. Yes, written back in the 1930's-40's, but that would be even more enjoyable to ladies in the age group you mentioned.

I'm going to look into Grace Livingston Hill's books! This definitely sounds like an author I would enjoy reading. Thank you!

I am loving reading Grace Livingston Hill... and I also am reading one Mary Stewart novel each month this year.

Has anyone suggested Flush by Virginia Woolf?

The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede is excellent. The whole book group loved it.
Love Does by Bob Goff is also excellent.
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent
Highly recommend all of these books.

I have read Love Does and enjoyed it!
Have made note of the others and appreciate your input!

I found a classic series older women might enjoy that I'd never heard of--even the "swearing" is clean. It starts with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. The first book came out in 1966 and it's about a 60-something woman who volunteers to join the CIA, which was apparently still fairly new back then. I have only raed one. There is some shooting, etc, but no graphic descriptions of violence.

"Expelled, A Story of the Polish Resistance" by Beth M. Stephenson has been very popular with "older, Christian women" book clubs. There's no sex or bad language. The compelling plot is peopled with believable characters, and the research is excellent. Most people don't know much about the Polish Resistance during WW2 because of what happened to Poland at the end of the war. Here's the author's website. You can get a volume discount if you order through the website. BethMStephenson.com Or here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Expelled-Resis...

Expelled: A Story of the Polish Resistance

Agatha Christie?

Karin wrote: "I found a classic series older women might enjoy that I'd never heard of--even the "swearing" is clean. It starts with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. The first book came out in 1966 an..."

I've read them all and they're delightful. I'd recommend them to anyone.

CindySR wrote: "Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Other Dangers of Southern Living will make them laugh out loud.

While the World Is Still Asleep I liked this one, it's about a woman who wa..."

I would be careful about Christina Baker Kline. I had to stop reading "Desire Lines" because of all the f-words and sex scenes.

My mom and I both love Emilie Loring and Grace Livingston Hill.

Personal favorites of clean reads are written by William Kent Krueger, Charles Martin, Kristen Harmel, Jan Karon, Patrick Taylor (wonderful Irish books with humor and heart), Debbie Macomber, Marie Benedict, Kristina McMorris, Kate Morton, Lynn Austin, Tracy Chevalier, A.J. Pearce, Hazel Gaynor, Francine Rivers, Robert Whitlow, Angela Hunt, for a few options. In my memory, all of these books are clean in content and conversation.

Familiar with many of those and will check out the rest! Thanks!

Vonna wrote: "Familiar with many of those and will check out the rest! Thanks!"

I forgot about Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and series. My mother loved them as long as she was able to read. Clean.

"Under the Tulip Tree" and "Count the Nights by Stars" by Michelle Shocklee.
"When Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin
"The Winter Sea" by Susanna Kearsley
"Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk
"The Lost Letter" by Jillian Cantor
"A Castaway in Cornwall" by Julie Klassen
"The Book of Lost Names" by Kristen Harmel