Whole Foods offers book clubs

How often they meet: Monthly

About this club: These co-ed clubs were started four months ago and meet on the first Thursday of the month at Whole Foods locations in Sandy Springs and Ponce de Leon and at Harry’s Farmer’s Market in Alpharetta. Meetings are open to the public and currently have about six members at each location. Members meet in the cafe and the store provides complimentary snacks. The club is a joint effort between Whole Foods and the for-profit organization Better World Books. “We are bringing together what was formerly an online community,” Barrett says. “A percentage of every book club book purchased from Better World Books goes to support worldwide literary initiatives.” Previous reads include “Outcasts United,” by Warren St. John and “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz. All have received mixed reviews. “After that fairly heavy list, there was a definite groan for some lighter or at least faster fare,” Barrett said.

Recently read: “What Is the What,” by Dave Eggers.

What it’s about: It’s a novel based on the life of a so-called Lost Boy, who was forced to leave his village in Sudan at age seven and trek hundreds of miles, pursued by militias, government bombers and wild animals. He finally resettles in the United States, where he encounters new challenges.

What members thought: Overall, readers liked the book. “Since it was based on a true story, there was some question about where the fact ended and the fiction began,” Barrett said. “Most of us were horrified and embarrassed that the robbery that takes place in the beginning of the book happened right here in Atlanta. There was some discussion about the literary tool Eggers used in having [the protagonist] address his stories of the past to people he meets in passing in the present. Not everyone enjoyed that angle. There also were some complaints about the repetitiveness of the stories.”

Next assignment: “Little Bee,” by Chris Cleave.

Patti Ghezzi, for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Tell us what your club is reading.

Contact Patti Ghezzi at ajcbookclubs@yahoo.com