Need help - Book for New Library Book Club

[Amanda]

I am starting a new book club at my local library. It is Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy. I need to pick out a book to read for the first time and since we haven't met yet I can't poll them. I have so many favorites that I need input in what book the general population would like to read.

This is for the month of April
(Book has to have been out for a while to get a cheap price on paperback.)

I narrowed it down to:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk


Dark Lover by J.R. Ward


Magic Bites by Ilona Andrew


Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris


Or put your suggestion!
Thanks,
Momma Seymour

[Kate]

I would say The Hunger Games.
It's very popular, not too hard a read for your first one.

Also with the movie coming out soon it's very topical.

[Dee]

i liked them all, but I would vote for either Hunger Games or Dead After Dark. Hunger Games because as Kate pointed out its about to be released as a movie and is readily available. Dead After Dark because its been out a while and you could always get a copy of True Blood and talk about the TV show vs. the book

the other 3 while they are good suffer from first book in the series weakness (at least IMHO)

[Amanda]

Thanks guys. I was leaning toward hunger games as well because of the movie too. I think maybe reading dead until dark would be good for may because the new one comes out that month. But I love so many it is good to have you guys help. Thanks.
@Dee - I agree with the first book syndrome. Lol I never really thought of them in that light but it is true.

[Ashley]

I would pick Dead Until Dark. Its been out for awhile, it has a show to compare it too. Its Vamps and sexy without being over the top.

[Joseph]

I'm a public librarian, and to be honest with you, I would avoid Hunger Games because it is so popular. I would take advantage of your book group to get them to read a good book that doesn't have the publicity that Hunger Game does, get them reading a lesser known but just as enjoyable book. I'd give a try to First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. It's relatively new PNR and different from the usual urban fantasy vampire and werewolf stuff.

[Slavena]

Hunger Games would be a safe choice. There is almost no romance or gore in the entire series. I actually found the book boring.
Magic Bites is more UF for the first 3 books but has lots of gore.
Dead until dark is somewhere in between UF and PNR, meaning there is a sex scene in book one.
Dark lover is more mature, both gore and sex scenes (more then one).
Magic to the bone is the only one I have no clue about.

Magic bites is a favorite of mine. From all the books listed she is the strongest female characters with the best powers

[Wicked Tiffy]

we just did Hunger Games in my book group and had a lively discussion. I enjoyed the book and am planning on reading books 2 & 3 in the series. Magic to the Bone is good and anything Charlaine Harris writes is terrific.