Over 500 books are available to BGT members and new books are added each year. There are many favourites on our list, and others that you won't know but will be pleased to meet. Suggest a book to add to the BGT collection.
Our books include fiction and non-fiction titles and they cater for a wide range of tastes. You will find a rich mix of classics and popular titles, contemporary fiction, memoirs and books dealing with social, historical and philosophical issues. Search and browse the BGT catalogue.
Searching the catalogue is easy - just set your search options via the search menu on the left hand side of the catalogue listing. The book description includes a link to online discussion material and the tab at the top of the listing links you to LibraryThing reviews.
Title list available BGT books.
More information about online discussion resources.
Bauby, Jean Dominique The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly
Amazement, privileged to be given this story by the author. Devastatingly sad and uplifting. Beautiful poetic writing.
Sandy Bay 1
Bennett, Alan The Uncommon Reader
We discussed this book on the 29th April – Will and Kate’s wedding. Couldn’t believe the co-incidence! Maybe it was meant! We enjoyed the book immensely, the idea and the follow through. We all looked to see where the Queen’s book was at the wedding – maybe in her book-sized handbag.
Devonport 1
Berendt, John Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
This book was given 100% positive approval, maybe a first for our group. Immensely readable, a fascinating, original, good-humoured, honest, funny but not light-weight, captivating book.
Nottage Hill
Coelho, Paulo The Alchemist
Very good. Liked the theme of personal journey, seeking fulfilment (treasure); finding it in an unexpected place; personal growth through trial and effort, persistence.
Ferntree 2
Erdrich, Louis The Master Butchers’ Singing Club
Ecstatic. Everyone responded enthusiastically to the depiction of the characters, their credibility and warmth and the wonderful world created. Lyrical writing.
Launceston 10
Flanagan, Martin In Sunshine and in Shadow
Loved it – learned so much about Tasmania’s early history and many indigenous people.
Clarence 1
Hooper, Chloe The Tall Man
Excellent in every respect. Confronting, disturbing and thought provoking. Even handed and well written.
Attica
Howell, Georgina Daughter of the Desert
Amazing. Comparisons made with Florence Nightingale – both women wrote so much to friends and family as well as working hard. Will contemporary women’s lives be as accessible, even with all the technology available now, to future generations? The most discussion from any book ever…re-inspired our group with the discussion – maybe for another 10 years.
N.I.C.E Women’s Book Group
Ishiguro, Kazuo When we were Orphans
Ishiguro’s depiction of the British upper class: the personalities, attitudes, world outlook, diction, pomposity, and racial exclusiveness, disguising a deep-seated unease, are uncannily accurate for 20s-30s Britain.
Latecomers
Levy, Andrea Small Island
A wonderful story with humour, insight and great characters.
Launceston 3
Lomer, Kathryn The God in the Ink
Most thought it a poetic little gem. Half the group wished that certain topics such as the ‘Philosophy of Zen’ were pursued in more detail. Others thought this pure simplicity was the beauty of the book.
Imports
Mattingley, Christobel King of the Wilderness
Thrilled to have read the book. We knew Deny King was a legend and the book told us exactly why. A Tasmanian classic.
Launceston 3
Niffenegger, Audrey The Time Traveler's Wife
Enjoyable – it went on a bit too long at the start and glossed over the end. Wonderful book for book club – lots of interesting discussions.
ILLIT
Perez-Reverte, Arturo The Seville Communion
Every member of the group thought it was an excellent read. Interesting imagery re Seville; a wonderful contrast of characters both in the R.C. church and also within the farcical characters. It posed many questions and is an intelligent murder Mystery with a myriad of twists and turns in the many sub-plots.
Clarence 4
Picoult, Jodi Plain Truth
Fascinated. None of the group had detailed knowledge of the Amish although two had visited Lancaster County. An insight into another culture’s attitude to religion and the Law.
Clarence 7
Seierstad, Asne The Bookseller of Kabul
Everyone was appalled at the treatment of women in this family. We all despaired for the country! Skilfully told so that we forgot that Seierstad is there with the ‘characters’ of the story. Heart-rending, and for the males too!
Mt Elephant and Beyond
Sittenfield, Curtis American Wife
Excellent. A hard to put down novel even if over 600 pages! Not often a unanimous ‘yes’ from all present. Wonder how close to Laura Bush’s life it is? Would love some more books like this. Will it be turned into a film?
Devonport 5
Tsiolkas, Christos The Slap
Great read. Skilfully written, excellent characterisations. Touched on a huge number of social issues affecting Australian society. Opened up great avenues for discussion.
Welman
Zusak, Marcus The Book Thief
Almost everyone cried at the end of this book. He was able to evoke really strong descriptions of his characters with spare prose. He dealt with an awful subject in a simple yet powerfully emotional way that brought new insights into the well-worn subject of the Holocaust.
Megabiblion
