No-Obligation Book Club
You love curling up with a classic novel. You love talking with friends about the latest Jodi Picoult bestseller. But you can’t stand the obligations of a book club. (What time? What place? Who’s bringing the chip dip?)

We feel your pain. That’s why RealSimple.com has started the No-Obligation Book Club.

No time frame, no deadlines, no obligations: just the pleasures of reading good books, as suggested―and led―by Real Simple editors. The goal is to get the benefits of a book club...without feeling overwhelmed by rigid schedules.

Recent Posts By No-Obligation Book Club

It’s Polling Time, Bookies

August 11, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hi, everyone: After our last nail-biter of a poll, we’re back with four new books to choose from for September—including near-winner The Big Love. Heidi Schoembs, Real Simple’s executive producer who just got promoted (we couldn’t be prouder) to director of social media for Time Inc.’s Lifestyle Division, will lead the discussion of the book you choose from the four […]

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The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake: Part One

August 5, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hello, Bookies!   Hope you are enjoying The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake.   I’m finding it to be a quick read filled with pleasant prose.   My immediate impression of our 9-year-old heroine is that she’s lonely. She’s starved (how apropos) for people’s attention, especially her brother’s. She is very accommodating and willing to compromise, as is seen in her […]

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Dan Chaon Sends His Reply

August 3, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hi, Bookies: We’ve heard back from Await Your Reply author Dan Chaon with answers to your questions. Look for his responses throughout in bold-faced type. From discussion leader Ashley Tate:   Do you have an idea in your head about what happens to Lucy after her story ends? Yes. I have a general idea that she will end up in […]

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Hi, Bookies.

July 29, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the August edition of the No-Obligation Book Club.  I’m Jennifer Mirsky, soon-to-be pets blogger on RealSimple.com’s Simply Stated.
 I’ve been reading an eclectic mix of books this summer—Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (just wonderful), Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage by Elizabeth Gilbert (thought-provoking), and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson (yes, I finally succumbed). Since I’ve come far from the days of buying gifts for people that suited my taste, I primarily chose titles for August that you had expressed interest in reading (and that didn’t seem too heavy or long to qualify as good summer reads). And boy was it a close race! From over 1,000 votes, only five separated this month’s winner from the runner-up: The Big Love. Perhaps you can discuss that in a future round.

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Drumroll Please…

July 26, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hi, Bookies: This month’s vote was a close one! Just a handful of voters made the difference between Aimee Bender’s The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and Sarah Dunn’s The Big Love.

And the winner is…

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`Await Your Reply’: The Conclusion (Spoiler Alert! And Some Exciting News!)

July 23, 2010 | By | Comments (1)

Hi, everyone, I just finished the book on my commute to work this morning, and my mind is still whirling, just thinking about it. How are you all feeling about the ending? I’m also quite excited to share a secret with you, but you’ll have to read all the way to the bottom of this posting. So when we rejoin […]

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Last Call for Your August Vote

July 22, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hi, Bookies: We have a most fascinating book poll going on this month, gang—most fascinating. Normally at this point in the voting, so close to the end of the poll, one book will have a distinct lead. Not this month. The Big Love and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake have been trading the lead since the start, changing positions […]

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‘Await Your Reply’: Part Two

July 16, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hi, everyone, Thanks to everyone for all your postings—they were fascinating to read. I have to say that I agree with many of you on several key points: I was pretty confused throughout the first part since we were skipping around to various characters; I do wonder if George Orson is Hayden (and could he be Jay, too?); and why […]

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So, Bookies, What’s Your Favorite Cookbook?

July 13, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Our friends down the hall on the print side want to know this from you: When you are planning to make something special—or even just, say, Wednesday-night dinner—what is your go-to cookbook? Answer below, including the title, the author, your favorite recipe from the book, and when you tend to make it. As always, your answer may appear in an […]

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Vote for August!

July 12, 2010 | By | Comments (0)

Hello, Bookies: Yes, it’s polling time. This month we have four very different novels—about romance and intrigue, magical realism and literary invention—though they may seem familiar: Members suggested a few of the books in previous postings. August’s discussion will be led by Jennifer Mirsky, the former managing editor of this site and the soon-to-debut author of our pets blog. Our […]

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